eBay Full Refund on a Working $1,200 Vintage Amplifier – Is This Fair?
Summary: seesho.general.lifesupport shared their experience of selling a rare Yamaha amplifier on eBay, where the item arrived with a damaged part, leading to the buyer receiving a full refund without returning the item. They expressed concern about losing the money, item, and shipping costs. Other participants explained that when a buyer claims an item is 'not as described,' eBay often issues a refund if the return isn't accepted, and advised caution when dealing with high-value international sales. Suggestions included understanding eBay's policies better and considering selling such items locally to avoid similar issues.
I’d appreciate advice from experienced eBay sellers.
I sold a rare 1970s Yamaha CA-2000 amplifier to a UK buyer for around $1,200. It weighs about 25 kg. Unfortunately, one bottom leg was damaged during shipping, but the amplifier itself remained 100% working. I have photos/videos proving its condition before shipping.
The buyer opened a return for a damaged item, and eBay issued a full refund. I have now lost the amplifier, the $1,200 sale, and the expensive international shipping cost.
I even offered to send a replacement leg separately so the buyer could keep the amplifier, but he refused.
The buyer now has a rare, fully working vintage amplifier after receiving a full refund. Even non-working or “junk” CA-2000 units can sell for high prices on eBay because of their rarity and valuable parts.
Do you think this decision is fair?
I’m now seriously worried about selling valuable 20–30 kg vintage Hi-Fi equipment on eBay. What precautions or alternatives do experienced sellers recommend?
pickapaper
·1 month agoeBay has a Money Back Guarantee for buyers. If you sell on eBay without taking the time to find out how the MBG works, and if you ignore issues that arise, this is what can happen.
You are also in Sri Lanka and eBay expects international transactions to go smoothly. They frown on international sellers not taking care of their customers.
BTW, your photos/videos prove nothing. eBay does not accept those as proof of anything because they do not know what you actually sent or what the buyer actually received, so they almost always they side with the buyer.
inhawaii
·1 month agoApparently you did not accept the return.
When you don't accept the return ebay will step in and refund the buyer and let him keep the item.
That's what happened here.
#1) You should learn how ebay works before selling stuff especially high dollar items.
#2) I wouldn't sell anything that expensive domestically -or- internationally. Any buyer can rip you off simply by making a false claim.
Sorry this happened to you.
annadryl
·1 month agoYour buyer received a damaged item, it doesn't matter if it was fine when you shipped it. Photos and videos of that are moot now. They deserve what they paid for.
It sounds like you fought the return or at least stalled it. Ebay will refund a customer that you do not deliver as promised or then make whole.
I'm sorry this happened, but shipping heavy, delicate, expensive items overseas is just asking for problems. I wouldn't dream of it, it's just a huge risk. Better to sell some things local. Good luck~
fullers_uk
·1 month agoEbay ID only created today!
annadryl
·1 month agoAnd I only need your bank info and a few passwords to help!
fullers_uk
·1 month agoGood to see ebay is keeping ebay safe and users protected.
kensgiftshop
·1 month agoWhen a buyer files an INAD, you need to accept the return and pay return shipping or refund the buyer.
If you don't, that can happen.