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Inconsistent or conflicting information in the description

An item I bought arrived with some unexpected damage. I looked at the listing after I received it and I noticed that, although in the main description body, the seller listed "minor wear and tear", the major damage was listed in another section of the description (item specifics). I didn't notice that section since it was not in the description. Also the seller's pictures were low resolution and the damage was not easy to see. It appears on a single photo out of the 8 that he posted and again it was easy to miss. The seller lists no returns on the listing.

 

Does anyone know whether eBay will allow a return for not-as-described for the item? I would assume allowing inconsistent descriptions would make buyers vulnerable to items that lists electronics that are "working" and "not working" at the same time.

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Inconsistent or conflicting information in the description


@fewp wrote:

 

I would assume allowing inconsistent descriptions would make buyers vulnerable to items that lists electronics that are "working" and "not working" at the same time.


Actually it is against eBay policy to provide inconsistent information in a listing.  The actual wording of the policy is this:

 

Not Allowed

 

Contradicting your item condition in item specifics with photos or your item description

 

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/search-browse-manipulation-policy?id=4243

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Message 7 of 10
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Inconsistent or conflicting information in the description

As a buyer you need to read and look at everything, and do so very, very carefully.

You can also politely ask a question before committing to buy.

 

How is the description inconsistent, your seller disclosed damage & you apparently consider it as being major ?

 

 

Message 2 of 10
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Inconsistent or conflicting information in the description

Yes. All you have to do is click on “not as described” from the menu on the return request.

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Inconsistent or conflicting information in the description

It's inconsistent because the wear and tear is not minor. I always try to read the description carefully, but when the damage isn't in the actual description but in a different section of the listing? Too easy to miss.

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Inconsistent or conflicting information in the description

I believe you will lose your claim I the issue was disclosed in the listing if the seller fights the claim. A seller is not required to "highlight" in any special way imperfections in a used item. Most sellers try to do that to avoid issues, but not all sellers will make issues clear in their disclosure - i.e. will not make them easy for you to put 2 + 2 together to get 4.

In this case, the seller disclosed the issue, just not in a manner that you were able to connect until after the fact. It's the technique used by the type of seller you hate buying from. Fuzzy image, images that do not highlight clearly an imperfection when it is possible (some imperfections required very close up pictures that not all sellers are capable of producing....)

If you use the SNAD reason for return, you will have to find an issue with the item that the seller actually did not disclose. I am not sure what the other options are in a return that you might be able to use in a manner that the seller would not be able to reasonably dispute.... Some other sellers or buyers would have to help you identify where the item might not match the description and details.

Cheers
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Inconsistent or conflicting information in the description


@fewp wrote:

An item I bought arrived with some unexpected damage. I looked at the listing after I received it and I noticed that, although in the main description body, the seller listed "minor wear and tear", the major damage was listed in another section of the description (item specifics). I didn't notice that section since it was not in the description. Also the seller's pictures were low resolution and the damage was not easy to see. It appears on a single photo out of the 8 that he posted and again it was easy to miss. The seller lists no returns on the listing.

 

Does anyone know whether eBay will allow a return for not-as-described for the item? I would assume allowing inconsistent descriptions would make buyers vulnerable to items that lists electronics that are "working" and "not working" at the same time.


The eBay Money Back Guarantee protects you in case you do not receive your item, or if the item is not as described in the listing. Vehicles, real estate, items sold by Sotheby's, websites and businesses for sale, classified ads, and services are not covered. Some business equipment categories are also excluded—though they may be covered by the eBay Business Equipment Purchase Protection.

 

Buyers can use the eBay Money Back Guarantee when:

  • They don't receive an item
  • They receive an item that doesn't match the listing

https://pages.ebay.com/ebay-money-back-guarantee/

 

When a buyer wants to return an item or the item doesn't match the listing

If a buyer wants to return an item within a seller's return window or they received an item that doesn't match the listing, the buyer needs to submit a request to return the item. The seller should address the buyer's concern and offer a solution, such as accepting a return, or offering a replacement or refund. In some cases, we may automatically accept a return request on the seller's behalf. If dissatisfied with the seller's solution, the buyer can ask eBay to step in and help.

If asked to step in and help, we review the item listing, photos of the item, and any other information about the item that the buyer and seller provide. If we can't determine that the item matches the listing, if the seller has already offered a return, or the seller's stated return window and policy applies, we may ask the buyer to return the item to the seller.

After confirming that the item was returned to the seller, a refund of the cost of the item (less any loss in value, if applicable) and original shipping is sent to the original payment method or the buyer's PayPal account. If the buyer arranged shipping or picked up the item, we may not refund the amount of original shipping or pickup cost. The seller is required to reimburse eBay for the amount of the refund.

 

https://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/buyer-protection.html

Message 6 of 10
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Inconsistent or conflicting information in the description


@fewp wrote:

 

I would assume allowing inconsistent descriptions would make buyers vulnerable to items that lists electronics that are "working" and "not working" at the same time.


Actually it is against eBay policy to provide inconsistent information in a listing.  The actual wording of the policy is this:

 

Not Allowed

 

Contradicting your item condition in item specifics with photos or your item description

 

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/search-browse-manipulation-policy?id=4243

Message 7 of 10
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Inconsistent or conflicting information in the description

No RETURNS does not mean no REFUNDS.

 

At worst it means you have to pay to return the item to the seller if he insists on that.

And he can insist on the return in spite of a No Returns policy.

 

Since you are unhappy with the inconsistent description and poor quality, the Resolution Centre is at the bottom of this page.

 

It's interesting that this is one case where the buyer read the Description rather than the Item Specifics. Usually it's the other way around that causes problems.

Message 8 of 10
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Inconsistent or conflicting information in the description

There was inconsistency in the listing, in that the major damage was not disclosed in the description when the minor damage was.  Blurry pictures, etc.

added in all equal a poor listing.

 

All the damage should have been noted in the description, and there should have been an indication where you could see the damage in the pictures.  

 

The MBG overrides the seller's no return policy, as it is meant to protect buyers from situations like this.  Seller pays return shipping, you are sent a label through the case, and seller refund purchase price and original shipping when tracking shows he received delivery.  You have 5 days to get the item in the mail.  If seller does not respond to your case, have Ebay step in when they allow you to, three days after you open the case.  The case will tell you when you can ask them to step in, and you will receive an email reminding you of that fact.

 

SNAD.

Message 9 of 10
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Inconsistent or conflicting information in the description

Thanks everyone. I think the policy that covers contradictory descriptions would have been the one I used if I opened the case. However fortunately I didn't need to go through the case since the item was also functionally damaged, and not just cosmetically damaged. The seller didn't check the item very thoroughly, admitted to the error, and offered an RMA.

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