eBay itself changes the item condition.

Question

Why eBay itself changes the item condition?

In my listings eBay twice in last few days changes all refurbished item to used. I have manually change back all my items status to "seller refurbished" every few days.

Is it some kind of new policy?

lor300720 · Accepted Answer

Update. I contacted customer service and they confirmed the policy not changed. They ask me to make screenshot if the problem appear again.

retro_entertainment_collectibles · Answer

Because "refurbished" is not what they are, they are used. Refurbishment "these days" has a meaning that consumers get confused by. Factory refurbishment or "Authorized refurbished" are common place especially in consumer electronics.

As one user noted the complaints fielded by points of sale and authorities make for change. All points of sale that allow or have third parties are and will be making significant changes or the government is going to do it for them, its that simple and that complex.

Frankly IMHO you're way better off not putting "Seller Refurbished" as a condition, its a major turn off especially in electronics. If Joe/sephine consumer goes to Best Buy and buy's "out of box" or "Geek Squad Refurbished" or to some AUTHORIZED Apple operation that services Apple equipment the consumer knows or recognizes the biz behind it. That's quite different than me in my basement repairing Samsung Phones and selling them as "Refuribished." It's the PHONE market that's caused bru-ha-ha as so many folks get taken buying refurb phones online and off that then end up going south anyways.

Then there's the aspects of course with consumer electronics the self-refurbisher doesn't necessarily realize. Talking 120v/240v consumer electronics selling online for profit. Friend of mine does PC's, has a local business, his liability insurance carrier requires "refurbishment means" replaced with new parts. He cant go in and fix a power supply, he MUST replace it. He cant fix a bad "cap" or fusable link, whatall on a mainboard, he has to replace it with new. Anything other than that he risks not only loss of his liability carrier but lawsuits should anything happen that are 110% indefensible.

Why indefensible? Because the OEM say, Dell or in you're case Yamaha will 110% of the time make statement against you as you're not authorized which means qualified by said OEM to refurbish. Can have the proper education in electronics to repair such things, my friends "Tech" at his PC Store did refurbishment of computers for Best Buy's Geek Squad, doesnt matter. Acer Computers says "Best Buy" is an authorized refurbisher for Acer equipment sold by Best Buy and it ends right there. The fact the fella worked for Best Buy does not mean now that he works with my friend carries over, it doesn't.

You're better off simply selling as used as "Seller Refurbished" has all sorts liability attached and to an end consumer actually has a bad taste. Aka: "Should I trust this guy?"

Even back in the day of Hi-Fi at least the stores here were authorized or not. I remember having a Soundcraftsman Pre-Amp/EQ, just needed a Pot replaced and no shop touch it, I had to have it sent out. I could have done myself, not real difficult but it'd a voided warranty. I'd PAT-150 and a PAT-120 Power Amps and no stereo store even touch em not because they couldn't clean or fix em', its all about liability.

As I said, from a consumer buying point of view IMHO eBay's doing you a favor. "Refurbished" in the terrain of consumer electronics to 99.9% of people doesn't mean Cassette Deck Cleaned and new belts installed. It means something was wrong with it and this guy claims to have fixed it and who's he? You dont need be saying any of that stuff albeit might make you feel good showing you're work. It's "Cassette Deck" or "Amp" on and on, used, works perfectly... Done.

mam98031 · Answer

Here are the links to the policy regarding this subject. I suggest reading through it for a better understanding of what happened and what may continue to happen until you comply with the policy.

https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/ebay-for-business/ebay-refurbished-program

Good Luck.

toomuchstuffagain35 · Answer

Yes, it's a new ebay policy. You can only sell as refurbished if you're approved to do so (and provide a warranty for same). All "seller refurbished" must now be listed as used.