Seller wants to refund partial payment after return was started

[7raindrops]

I purchased a BIN item in camera and photos for $2000+, it included 2 slr cameras and a couple of lenses.

When I received the package, I realized that the main camera which usually goes for around $850 camera only on eBay, was incorrectly described in the auction. It had 100k shutter count instead of the 30k the seller had mentioned. The extra shutter count usually drops the price of the camera by $150 on eBay.

I messaged the seller about the high shutter count (not mentioning anything about money or refunds) and he said it was a typo and that he had purchased the camera on eBay a couple of months ago with 52k shutter count.

So I looked at his feedback and sure enough, I found the auction where he had purchased the camera in February 2017 (serial number matched with what I received). That particular auction clearly mentioned that the shutter count is 98k.

I messaged him this info and after a couple of back and forth he admitted "ok i may have make a mistake , i regret". And he said I can return it.

So I initiated a return. He accepted the return and I was also sent a return label.

After this, he messaged me if I wanted to return all the items or just the camera with the high shutter count. And I replied how can that happen?

Then he replied that he can do a partial refund of $500 and I can keep everything, including the camera with the high shutter count.

Now my question is, is he trying to get me to close the return process? He hasn't told me to do that yet, but I'm guessing he won't give me a partial refund unless I cancel the return.

Is he trying to cheat me? I would have agreed to a $150 partial payment initially but I never asked and he never offered, until I opened the return item case.

Any suggestions?

[victorjunkman55]

Never close any case until you are made whole. I would not accept nothing less then a full refund. I'm not a Camera Guy, but know sometimes the lenses cost more then the Camera. Should you be happy with a $500 Partial refund, Go for it, but again, do not close case until you get it. Me, I would want a 100% refund, then find another seller. Good Luck to you.

[7606dennis]

Unless I'm mistaken, offering a partial refund is one of the options that eBay gives sellers to use to try to work things out with buyers.  If you are not willing to accept a partial refund, decline it and continue the case.

[ezziee]

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@7raindrops wrote:

I purchased a BIN item in camera and photos for $2000+, it included 2 slr cameras and a couple of lenses.

Then he replied that he can do a partial refund of $500 and I can keep everything, including the camera with the high shutter count.

Now my question is, is he trying to get me to close the return process? He hasn't told me to do that yet, but I'm guessing he won't give me a partial refund unless I cancel the return.

Is he trying to cheat me? I would have agreed to a $150 partial payment initially but I never asked and he never offered, until I opened the return item case.

Any suggestions?

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7606 dennis is correct, the seller is not trying to 'cheat' you. eBay gives buyers/sellers the option of negotiating a 'partial refund', that's why that option button is included in the returns process. if you accept the 'partial refund' the case automatically closes once the refund has been issued and cleared. You are under no obligation to accept it and can continue on with the return process for full refund if that is what you prefer.

[tarpedge]

Unfortunately, that's incorrect.

The seller can no longer offer a partial refund if a return label has already been issued. Please reread the OP.

[ezziee]

in this case, if the buyer has agreed to the partial refund thru ebay messages, the refund can be done thru paypal

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@tarpedge wrote:

Unfortunately, that's incorrect.

The seller can no longer offer a partial refund if a return label has already been issued. Please reread the OP.

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[7raindrops]

Thanks for all your answers. So if the seller gives me a partial refund through PayPal, I can safely close the case on eBay? Can he claim he gave a partial refund through PayPal and then make me return the camera? I'm guessing not.

The thing that is bothering me is why would he offer such a high partial refund. He's selling the camera gear and I'm sure he knows the values of all of it too. And he knows that the camera is probably 150 to 200 less in value because of the high shutter count, not​ $500.
Thanks again for all the feedback.

[tarpedge]

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@ezziee wrote:

in this case, if the buyer has agreed to the partial refund thru ebay messages, the refund can be done thru paypal

@7606dennis, does PayPal lock down the Transaction Details page so that the usual Refund button is unavailable throughout the duration of the dispute?

[creoleorchid]

Here's the problem with that. The seller sent the label after the buyer opened a return. When that package gets delivered, the buyer will get a full refund of the total purchase price.

After the return was opened, the seller offer a $500 partial and said he could keep the whole lot. That would not happen. If OP closes the case he will not get $500 and the whole lot.

[ezziee]

We can't know the seller's thoughts, but what counts is yours. If u feel the $500 refund is best, go with it.   Partial refunds can be done thru the paypal transaction. Once the $$ has cleared, it is safe for you to close the case, and no, he cannot make you return the camera if he has agreed to a partial refund. 

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@7raindrops wrote:
Thanks for all your answers. So if the seller gives me a partial refund through PayPal, I can safely close the case on eBay? Can he claim he gave a partial refund through PayPal and then make me return the camera? I'm guessing not.

The thing that is bothering me is why would he offer such a high partial refund. He's selling the camera gear and I'm sure he knows the values of all of it too. And he knows that the camera is probably 150 to 200 less in value because of the high shutter count, not​ $500.
Thanks again for all the feedback.

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[ezziee]

no, paypal does not 'lock down' the refund button.

[ezziee]

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@creoleorchid wrote:

Here's the problem with that. The seller sent the label after the buyer opened a return. When that package gets delivered, the buyer will get a full refund of the total purchase price.

After the return was opened, the seller offer a $500 partial and said he could keep the whole lot. That would not happen. If OP closes the case he will not get $500 and the whole lot.

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the buyer closes the case AFTER he receives the $500, he is not obligated to return the camera just because he rec'd a return label.

[7raindrops]

Thank you everyone. I received an email from the seller about 2 hours ago and he says he'll get his salary tomorrow and will send me the money order for $250. And next week Thursday he'll send the other $250.

Any way to report the seller to eBay?

I think he's going to screw me even if I return his stuff. Can he?

Can he close his eBay and PayPal accounts after he gets all the camera gear?

Can he say that he did not receive all the items back?

Can he do anything else that I haven't thought of?

He has 97 total feedback, no negative that shows.

I have 2 positive feedback as a buyer, including from this seller, it will go up to 4 hopefully when I leave positive feedback for a couple of other purchases.

I have purchased high dollar value items in all 4 purchases. Two were closer to $1000 where I had no issues. This one was just over $2000 and another one $2000 plus that is on its way. All camera gear.

What do you experts suggest?

[*eponymous*]

@7raindrops  Here's what can happen that you didn't mention -- 5 days after the label was issued, the seller can call and get the case closed in his favor unless you get the stuff back in the mail to him.

If that happens, open a PayPal dispute, immediately escalate it to a claim; and you can get reimbursed for the return label by PayPal if you buy it retail (at the counter).

Package up all the stuff and ship it back.  If you don't get a refund in 10 days, escalate the case to eBay.

[creoleorchid]

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@ezziee wrote:

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@creoleorchid wrote:

Here's the problem with that. The seller sent the label after the buyer opened a return. When that package gets delivered, the buyer will get a full refund of the total purchase price.

After the return was opened, the seller offer a $500 partial and said he could keep the whole lot. That would not happen. If OP closes the case he will not get $500 and the whole lot.

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the buyer closes the case AFTER he receives the $500, he is not obligated to return the camera just because he rec'd a return label.

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My point was that from the seller's standpoint, if he sent a partial via PayPal and not thru the resolution center, OP even in good faith could send the camera back with the label already provided and a full refund would be automatic. OP would then have two refunds, one full and one partial.

OTOH, from OP's standpoint, the seller's offer of a $500 refund and keep all the equipment just does not ring true.

And that was before I read the part about sending two seperate $250 money orders. Again, that will not happen.

OP should not close the case but he needs to send the whole lot back ASAP and get his refund. This seller is either beyond clueless or trying to pull a fast one.

To OP, if you send the equipment back with the label provided within the timeframe you were given, you WILL get a refund. It won't matter if the seller disappears, you are covered by the money back guarantee.