eBay

elhoardo · ‎09-27-2022

Sold a laptop a few weeks ago. It's an older laptop from the end of the XP era Early Vista era that should not go online under any circumstances due to security issues.

Buyer sent me a message stating that the laptop wasn't working for him. He listed that he couldn't install anything on the laptop, the internet not working and that the lid wouldn't close.

I respond to them stating why internet drivers aren't installed "XP era laptop" but if they want, I can send him a driver disc with all drivers if he really wants the laptop online. I also linked them to the drivers page which allows them to install any driver they want.

The buyer then claims that the listing was not as described and they wanted a refund. I offered an exchange to a more modern laptop or a refund if they sent the laptop back. The buyer then started sending messages telling me to quit stalling and give him a refund RIGHT NOW and that they were not going to send it back. They also insinuated that my perfect feedback would be in danger unless I gave them a refund without them having to send the laptop back.

This was reported to eBay for buyer harassment and trying to get a refund. They opened an item not received case and started harassing me through messages asking me for a shipping label to send the laptop back through the item not received case. I uploaded the tracking showing that they received their package and contacted eBay by phone and they told me the case would be closed in my favor due to the tracking showing the item as delivered and previous messages showing they received it and saying it's not as described.

Should I be wary that they wanted a refund without shipping the laptop back? Is this a new scam instead of just fishing for a partial refund? Should I assume they've been blocked from the MBG?

Is there any way to block their messages? I already put them on my block list, and the settings say that blocked buyers can't message me, yet I'm getting several messages a day from them. The buyer has been getting more belligerent with me ignoring their messages. I was told from a customer service rep to ignore their messages.

Is there any other actions or general advice?

threelittlelambs · ‎09-27-2022

You'll definitely win the item not received case, but then they can still open an item not described case where you will have to accept a return and if that happens I would definitely not refund until they return it. As to the messages, if you're in a transaction with someone they can still message you whether they're blocked or not unfortunately. Best to ignore.

elhoardo · ‎09-27-2022

Thanks for letting me know they can still possibly open that. But wouldn't opening straight off with a INAD case be the go to? I just find it odd that they didn't do all this instantly. Almost every buyer opens a SNAD or INAD case immediately when things don't go their way. However, this buyer spent days sending me messages to refund them without having to send it back and then opened a case that clearly wasn't related.

mtgraves7984 · ‎09-27-2022

@elhoardo wrote:
Thanks for letting me know they can still possibly open that. But wouldn't opening straight off with a INAD case be the go to? I just find it odd that they didn't do all this instantly. Almost every buyer opens a SNAD or INAD case immediately when things don't go their way. However, this buyer spent days sending me messages to refund them without having to send it back and then opened a case that clearly wasn't related.

@elhoardo

Maybe your buyer didn't know how to proceed... obviously a INR wouldn't fly. Maybe your buyer has lost the MBG privilege... and can't open that claim. Maybe the buyer will open the correct claim after this one fails... and that's what I'd go ahead and brace for.

One thing you posted gives me pause... "The buyer has been getting more belligerent with me ignoring their messages." Now, how do you know that if you're really ignoring them? As mentioned upthread, the transaction creates a window in which the user can still contact you (for a time) following the sale, even if you've blocked them. You really can (and should) ignore these messages, but don't ignore a case if one is opened.

You've done all you can do at this point... cross the next bridge if you come to one. Good luck and good golly...

jahood1984 · ‎10-01-2022

One rule I have about selling laptops, if I can't load win 10 on it (or at least win 8.1 which still updates for now), it's best to sell with a blank formatted drive or no drive and put NO OS in title. Otherwise this will happen 4 out of 5x.... At the very least id of includes something like "windows 7 not setup to go online, security can't be updated to go online safely, drivers not installed so you may have no working things like wifi,sound, ports etc".

If the buyers opens a not as described case you have to send. Label and refund of just refund And let him keep it unfortunately.

ms.rodriguez* · ‎10-01-2022

Since they threatened you by ruining your perfect feedback, any negative posted will be removable by simply calling ebay. Do NOT tell that buyer that or they might win another item of yours just to post a negative. Make sure that you block them from bidding. Jot their name / address, other details in a notebook incase they re-buy from you in a few months with another ID with the intention of harming you. Goodluck.