Hi All,
I've been on eBay since 1998 and I have to admit it's the first time I'm faced with such an awkward issue. I'm totally baffled. And I would like to have some tips from others that have faced a similar issue.
The story began in late August 2023 where I bought a 2TB Samsung Sold State Drive for USD$205 described as "New Open Box, without original packaging" and a stock photo of the drive. Pressed Buy Now and made immediate payment via credit card.
Last week I received the drive packaged in a generic anti-static bag, and noticed a ton of scratches and markings on the contact pins from usage. I then installed the drive and run the Samsung Diagnostic Software (Samsung Magician) to pull the history, only to find out that the drive is USED! 3,443 hours of operation and 5.6TB written!
I essentially offered him to issue a partial refund of $100 to compensate for the street value of a used drive. These drives used go about $100, so I think that was a fair deal, to close the case (and let's not bother leaving any feedback, as if the transaction never occurred). NOTE: There's NO threat or mention of "Negative" feedback.
I immediately messaged the seller and wrote the following:
(exact copy-paste)
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From me: (buyer):
Here is a photo of the used SSD drive as I received. You can clearly see all the scratches.
1) You may refund me $100 to compensate for the value of a used drive (and I not leave any feedback), and consider the case closed.
2) Alternatively, I can open a return ticket for a full refund.
As you wish.
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Reply From Seller:
Hello, There's no way I am giving you a a partial refund amounting to 70% of the cost of the item, even though you're threatening and extorting to leave negative feedback if I don't give you that excessive partial refund (which is against eBay policy, very clearly - extortion of feedback to demand partial refund). The drive is brand new. You can return it. thank you
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Under this behaviour, seller clearly was acting in bad faith and not willing to settle. So I opened a return ticket and never answered him back.
I also left an appropriate negative feedback. "Seller Sold USED item as new-open box"
But the problems just began!
He reported me for extortion, and eBay put a strike against me and removed my feedback. Now I'm at risk of not getting a refund, because of a policy breach.
I wrote 2 times to customer support, explaining that I NEVER threatened seller to leave a negative feedback, I simply said lets settle and forget about leaving feedback, as if the transaction never occurred. Where do they see the threat in all this?
Seller is clearly acting in Bad Faith, and has a history to selling USED items as "new open box". Just the fact he came on top with "extortion accusations" shows he knows how to (ab)use the rules for him to come on top, and clearly has payed this card again to protect his rating. But this is not fair!
From eBay customer support I get a bunch of automated messages and seem to maintain the Extortion breach that the seller reported.
This only encourages this and other (experienced) dishonest sellers to continue their bad bad practice knowing they will get away by playing their cards. aka mis(using) the rules.
Question: Is there any way to appeal this, and have the case checked by a real human? Or escalate it to a supervisor?
Thank you for any suggestions.
