Post sale problem
Summary: phillystreetracn recounted a situation where they sold a used car part on eBay, which was returned by the buyer outside of eBay without a crucial wire harness. Although the part was sold with no warranty and tested as functional, the buyer insisted on a refund, including inflated return shipping costs. Several participants advised that phillystreetracn is not obligated to provide a refund, as the transaction was not handled through eBay's official return process, and suggested blocking the buyer. Others suggested issuing a refund to avoid potential negative feedback, albeit acknowledging it may not be necessary according to eBay's policies. phillystreetracn decided to communicate with the buyer to request the missing parts and encouraged them to initiate a return through eBay for proper procedure.
I sold a used electrical car part that the buyer claimed was no good, even though I tested it and it was functioning when I sold it.. Even though the part was sold with no warranty, I responded "no problem, just click return this item through ebay", figuring it is the right thing, and maybe the part went bad in transit. Instead of going through ebay, the buyer sent the part back to me on his own dime, at an inflated shipping price, outside of ebay. He removed the included wire harness, before returning the rest of the part. I retested the part once it was back in my possession and it functions 100% so, looks like he just wanted to try the part and see if it would fix his misdiagnosed problem. I am inclined to refund him and relist the part (and just loose out on the harness that he didn't return) but because he hasn't gone through ebay for the return I'm thinking I wont get my listing fees back? Oh and the buyer is insisting I refund his return shipping, which I am not inclined to do because he kept the wire harness. Of course if I dig and don't pay his inflated shipping I'm I'm sure he'll leave a bad feedback, only my second negative feedback in 20+ years so not the end of the world but it still never feels good to get a bad feedback..
What is my best move? Shouldn't he have to go through ebay to force the return? Anyone been here and done that?
Thanks in advance!
gloryglorygifts
·1 week agoThe others have given you some good suggestions. I would add that you should report the buyer for misusing the return policy, because the return item was missing a piece so it was not as sold.
redlinear
·1 week ago@phillystreetracn
Refund the entire amount paid.
Block buyer.
Create a new listing and pics of the item that was returned.
Radio's and ECU's are the worst, followed closely by seatbelts.
They work great when removed. Mysteriously don't work anymore when shipped (according to buyers). And somehow repair themselves on the return trip back.
inhawaii
·1 week agoThis is what I would do.
No refund.
No more communication.
If he decides to do an official return through ebay, let him.
He would have to send something back to get a refund.
Chances are, he wont.
Don't worry about a negative feedback.
Deal with that if/when it happens.
authentic*vintage
·1 week agomight not be the right answer but I agree - he sent it outside of ebay which makes me wonder if this is habitual.
phillystreetracn
OP1 week ago · EditedThanks for the advice everyone! The information about ebay standing behind a seller when a returned part is missing parts or disassembled helps. It was only a $60 with shipping sale so it's pretty little money overall. I suspect the buyer installed it, it didn't fix his problem because his problem was misdiagnosed and that spurned him to take the part apart some. . At the end of the day, my in house testing proves it is still a sellable part, so I am inclined to work with the buyer. I haven't made any decisions yet, I don't feel pressured to considering he still hasn't files an ebay return this item case. So for now I have opted to message him that it is received, missing parts and can he send the missing parts, and to please start an ebay retun my item case, to keep everything legit with ebay. I will update once things get to the next step. Thanks again!.
mam98031
·1 week agoIf the item wasn't expensive, refund and move on. But know that @christworks is correct, you are not required by Ebay to refund a dime to this buyer. They didn't return what they purchased AND they took it apart. Both things Ebay will stand behind the seller for.
christworks
·1 week ago@phillystreetracn You are not obligated to refund the buyer a dime. You can keep the sale, the item, the money, and relist it.
No matter what you do, including fully refunding the buyer and all the shipping, the buyer can still leave you a negative. Nothing stops them, and because they returned it outside of ebay it could make it harder to get the negative removed depending on what they say. 1 negative is not going to hurt you one iota.
shire123
·1 week agoJust refund his original payment (including the original shipping) and then block him. Even if he leaves,a negative, one negative will have no effect on you