My Return Dillema...
I sold two vintage microphones that were clearly indicated to be UNTESTED in both the Title and Product Description. The mics sold for over $100 each and, in my current eBay store, that's considered a sizable sale. Fifteen days after the product was delivered, I receive a message advising that one of the mics were unusable and that I could either refund a sizable amount of the sell price, or they'd begin the return.
I reminded the buyer that it was listed as UNTESTED in both locations and that I would extend a $20 credit as a courtesy to help cushion the blow. After all, I don't want to sell items that can't be used, but I also feel that my responsibility is to advise the buyer if I am unable to test product due to lack of resources.
They've started a return and I'm waiting for the item to finally arrive at my home, but uncertain if I should take the hickey and lose the $120 sale, or have eBay get involved to mediate. At the end of the day, it's not only about the money, but also the general principle that I did everything in my power to warn the buyer, only to have my $119 tied up for almost a month.
I welcome any thoughts.
Thanks.
3daynap
OP1 year agoThank you ALL for your advice. It's very helpful.
toysaver
·1 year agoYou're digging your own grave with disclaimers like this for a 35mm camera listed in the title as tested but in the description it's another story.
"Tested film advance and shutter operation, but the actual function with film has not been tested"
powell-collectibles
·1 year agoIf you have free returns, what justification would you have for fighting this? You told the buyer he can return for any reason. He actually has a good reason – the item doesn’t work. He doesn’t need one – you offered free returns. It doesn’t matter if the item was expensive or cheap, tested or not. Free returns isn’t just a marketing line – it’s what you promised to the buyer.
an-57470
·1 year ago@3daynap
No dilemma. You have 30-day free returns. That means the buyer may return the item for ANY reason.
Why would you fight it? Why ask eBay to mediate?
Honor your return policy.
albertabrightalberta
·1 year agoYou have free returns so the buyer can return for any reason or for no reason.
Why would you fight the return?
What type of return did they open? If it's NAD (not as described), asking ebay to step in will be a huge mistake.
You'll lose the case, the buyer will get a refund (from your funds) and they may not even have to return it.
Add to that the defect you'll have for not handling the claim yourself.
buyselljack2016
·1 year ago@3daynap
there is no eBay condition "untested".
on eBay there is no as is, pays yer money, and takes yer chances.
Sellers cannot set a policy that way.
If you get eBay involved they will refund the buyer.
That refund will be done with your funds.
If eBay has to step in you will get an "account defect" for "unresolved by seller".
There is no reason for the buyer to not be made whole when an item is defective.
gator08041971
·1 year ago@3daynap
Accept the return and refund once you have them back.
Do not have eBay step in. They will side with the buyer in 99.9% of cases. And if they do, that gives your account a black eye. Too many of those and you lose your top rated status.
In the future, make sure you list items like this as Parts only, Need repair. Never Used, New or anything that would indicate they function, unless you know they function. That only opens the door for potential returns. And no returns doesn't really mean no returns, thanks to the MBG. (but this didn't apply in this case)
I would highly suggest you read through that, so you know what you can and can't do.
Simply listing them as UNTESTED doesn't mean diddly squat anymore. Either they work, or they are parts only / need repair.
I take some of that back, you did list them with free returns so that helps a bit. As a top rated seller, you have the option to discount some of the refund if its returned in less condition than you sent it as. (up to 50% less)