Got screwed by another buyer who knows how to game the system
So here is the story.
Buyer buys two expensive pocket watches with one day interval.
Once received she immediately files INAD for the first one, I accepted the return.
Couple days later files another INAD for the second one.
Keep in mind both watches are solid gold.
I'm guessing she figured out there is not enough money to make on scrapping them.
Anyway I denied the second return simply because she posted the pictures of the watch being opened with case back off and therefore altered as per eBay policy.
Of cause eBay forced me to accept the return once it got escalated to the case telling me I was protected and usual blah blah blah (offshore support).
I received the watch back and the movement is broken. The cost to fix roughly $270.
Spoke with first offshore agent and was told not to worry eBay will cover the out of pocket expenses, of cause it was a lie.
Case sits open for at least 3 weeks and then buyer gets refunded.
I filed an appeal and of cause it is denied.
Now I'm out of final value fee, shipping both ways and repair cost. All together close to $550.
So basically got screwed again.
Spoke with several eBay reps during this ordeal and was lied to pretty much on every step of the process.
Well after 25 years I'm seriously considering pulling a plug on this "business".
I did filed BBB complaint and if anyone knows any other place I can file complaint, please let me know.
dryophelia
·4 months ago@alpha10080
If your description mentions AS IS, the item should be listed as ‘for parts’.
Not sure if the two transactions you mention here had that discrepancy, I just thought I would point it out.
pickapaper
·4 months agoOf cause eBay forced me to accept the return once it got escalated to the case telling me I was protected and usual blah blah blah (offshore support).
If she filed an "Item not as described" claim, you have to accept the return, send her a return label and upon your receipt of the watch, issue a refund. Or just issue a refund and let her keep the item.
I received the watch back and the movement is broken. The cost to fix roughly $270.
eBay does not know what you sent, i.e. they do not know if it was broken when the buyer received it, or what the buyer returned. They will not get involved in "he said, she said" disputes so they will usually side with the buyer.
Spoke with first offshore agent and was told not to worry eBay will cover the out of pocket expenses, of cause it was a lie.
Agents will tell you anything to get you off the phone, even if it is not the truth. eBay never covers out of pocket expenses for a seller.
Case sits open for at least 3 weeks and then buyer gets refunded.
I filed an appeal and of cause it is denied.
Now I'm out of final value fee, shipping both ways and repair cost. All together close to $550.
So basically got screwed again.
If you did not respond to the claim and eBay had to step in, you not only do not get your FVFs back, you got a ding on your account for not taking care of your customer.
If you have any familiarity with how eBay's Money Back Guarantee works, you would know before listing anything that you would be responsible for these fees/costs that you are complaining about.
Actually, you are lucky you got your original items back. You could have received a box of rocks and you still would have had to refund.
meme6253
·4 months agoBest answer is you should have accepted the second return, Denying an INAD is what placed you in this situation, Right or wrong you need to accept those when & if they happen, Sorry for your issue.
12345jamesstamps
·4 months agoeBay reps can't do much and I don't know why sellers still call them on the phone.
I can expect a buyer to do something similar like in your situation some time in the future to me.
It's part of business...can't get around it.
INAD...all we can do is accept the return or whatever before eBay steps in.
It is very hard to win in such a situation as this.
But I wouldn't let one nasty buyer stop me from selling on eBay.
kibble-net
·4 months agoIf you want to stop selling, that's your prerogative.
However, your gripe is with the buyer, not with ebay. Perhaps you ought to take them to small claims court.
caldreamer
·4 months agoBecause you have "no returns" policy you lose all Seller Protection.
Protections for Top Rated Sellers
Top Rated Sellers sellers are eligible for these protections when all the following criteria are met:
A buyer falsely claims an item was not as described
An item is returned after it was used or damaged by the buyer
If you accepted a buyer's return request but the item is returned in a different condition than it was originally sent:
- If the buyer had requested the return because the item didn't match the listing, we won't count the return in your "Item not as described" rate in service metrics
See our guidelines on how much you can deduct.Make sure you report the buyer and send the refund within 2 business days after receiving the item back. You can do this from the return request. Keep in mind that you're not eligible for fee credits when you deduct from the buyer's refund for a return that was used, altered or damaged, and you'll no longer see this option if eBay steps in to help with the return.
If we're asked to step in after you've issued the refund, it won't be counted as a case closed without seller resolution. We'll keep the return open for up to 10 days while we work with the buyer to resolve their concerns, and you won't need to do anything else.
shire123
·4 months agoSo many similar stories like this one. Basically, it is almost NEVER okay to refuse a return for INAD, Accept the return, send the label, and then refund when you get the item back. If you qualify it might be possible to only refund 50% of the price.
albertabrightalberta
·4 months ago@alpha10080 doesn't qualify because there's no return policy on their listings.
luckythewinner
·4 months agoAnyway I denied the second return simply because she posted the pictures of the watch being opened with case back off and therefore altered as per eBay policy.
Watch cases are designed to be opened, and it is not against eBay policy to open one. That is not "altering" the item. You were mistaken to deny the return on that basis.
But that aside ....
Every eBay transaction carries the risk of a return, either honest or fraudulent. That has been true on eBay for 20 years.
alpha10080
OP4 months agoActually watches not designed to be opened. Only professionals suppose to work on them and that is why I got back a broken movement.