Obvious defects

[robertc908]

Are seller's required by eBay to disclose obvious defects, particularly a safety issue, when listing an item for sale?

[mr_lincoln · Accepted solution]

Hi @robertc908 

eBay does not oversee Sellers when they acquire their items for sale or list them on the venue.  eBay recommends that Sellers accurately describe and depict the items they are selling and issues like you might be referring to are to be listed in the Conditions section of the listing form and pictured if possible.

Buyers are protected by the eBay Money Back Guarantee:  

eBay Money Back Guarantee policy

[jacbarcollectibles]

Sellers are responsible for what is in the listing although the use of eBay's AI to make listings can cause problems of this nature.  Sellers should disclose any defects that they know about in the photos and the description.  Safety defects can be more of a problem since the seller may not be aware of this type of defect.

You are protected by the eBay Money Back Guaranty for 30 days from receipt of the item.  So make your decision about if the item is as described or not within this time.  After this time passes eBay cannot help you.

[robertc908]

I would think that obvious safety defects, such as splices and exposed wires on an AC cord, should be called out by the seller. This is something that eBay should require to be disclosed.

[gosimus]

@robertc908 

< exposed wires on an AC cord ... This is something that eBay should require to be disclosed >    

eBay does require such defects to be disclosed, but they can't watch over the seller's shoulder and make him comply with the requirement.  Your recourse is the Not As Described claim.  By the way, when you said AC, did you mean air conditioner, or alternating current, or something else?  

[robertc908]

No, I am referring the alternating current (AC) power cord.

[house*of*paws]

Hi @robertc908 

A buyer can easily win a return request if a seller fails to disclose flaws … so it would be foolish for a seller not to mention flaws in the description AND photograph them when possible.

Making it a ‘requirement’ to disclose doesn’t mean a seller will necessarily be aware of the safety issues … but they’ll be responsible for refunding the buyer nonetheless if they exist.