Amazing lack of seller protections regarding negative feedback

[rskron1]

I'm sure there are several stories such as mine, but I thought I'd share and share what I am doing as a remedy. I sold a item that is a sensitive electrical test equipment. The buyer did not leave any feedback. Three weeks later, he contacts me that initially it was working fine and now he can't get it to read correctly (frequency counter). I included pictures of the item functioning properly on the ad. I told him that quite a bit can go on in 3 weeks and that even a small error on hooking up this equipment can cause it to fail. My ad clearly said no returns and he made no qualms that it was received as described. I refused to let him return the item. Of course he left negative feedback. I called EBay as I felt that I kept up my end as far as my selling responsibilities and the buyer did not receive the item as "not as described". EBay told me that the could not remove this negative feeback and I implored them as to why. They stated that feedback is "subjective" and that I could respond to it. I asked them what had happened to my subjectivity as a seller - why can't I leave negative feedback for this buyer? No comment from EBay on that one. So I am stuck with clearly unfair feedback from the buyer, which as everyone knows does make a difference to other potential buyers and we are graded by ebay with regards to our feedback. So, essentially EBay is allowing purely subjective ratings to be used as our report card with no regards to whether they are accurate or not and there is no remedy for this. Sounds clearly unfair to me. What I am doing now is selling all of my electronic items "as-is" regardless. I stipulate that I will not take returns for any reason. I continue to take pictures of the items in a functioning state (though this didn't seem to help before). I know that I am getting fewer interested buyers now as a result, but it seems to be the only remedy that I can think of.

[phcd1]

---

@coolections wrote:

---

@phcd1 wrote:

---

no, the door would NOT close without it, EBay was founded on selling a used (albeit broken) laser pointer, NOT on NEW goods. It was much more popular then.

---

@phcd1

You are correct it was popular and was founded on used items. THEN, Ebay realised it was going down the tubes faster than a 300 lb. lady on a slip and slide. The popular portion of it turned into a buyers stopped buying due to those broken used items being sold without buyer protection.

---

huh?

It was the hottest thing on the internet in the early days.

If you buy used goods, you win some and you lose some, that’s just the name of the game with used. It makes no sense for seller to warranty used goods, unless they want to.

If you want a warranty, buy new from a retail business.

Many vintage / electronic items are fragile and can be easily damaged by the buyer. Why should a seller warranty that? 

[ki_korners]

Right or wrong, what kind of feedback did you expect from something that lasted 3 weeks? He was very disappointed in his purchase.

And in no way does selling "as is" protect you from SNAD.

[bubbleman2010]

So if I buyer some silver bullion and the price drops 30% 3 weeks later and I'm not happy about it I can file a SNAD claim and get my money back?

[usmc*usnmom]

---

@dhbookds wrote:

Buyers really, really, really need to understand that they cannot get new item performance and reliability from a USED item. If they want new performance, reliability and a warranty, then need to purchase NEW from an authorized dealer and pay the price for it

I agree with the sentiment........but how does Ebay/a seller inform buyers of that?  Some here seem to think it's implied because the item is used........others think buyers should know, etc......  OP seems to believe it's implied.  The buyer (to me) simply stated the facts in the feedback.....that it worked when they got it, failed after 3 wks and seller would not refund, which seems to match what the seller says his policy is. 

I think sellers should state their policy on used stuff as you say....I guarantee it will work on receipt......I cannot guarantee how long it will work after that as it is a used item.  Certainly one still runs a risk of it failing and the buyer claiming it didn't work on receipt, but we face that now......

But with that kind of disclaimer, at least the buyer is put on notice that the item is risky to some extent...... 

just my thoughts

---

In all honesty it should be good ol' common sense...but that is sorely lacking these days.

[honestabe411]

You sold a defective item that stopped working and denied your customer the ability to return it and you're wondering why he gave you a negative?

[coolections]

No, silver bullions last more than 3 weeks.

[rskron1]

Just a follow up to my previous note. I decided to pretty much shut down my selling on EBay. I'll still purchase items, but very minimal selling. The items I sell (used electronic testing equipment and musical electronic equipment) is just too risky and I have lost too much money (and time) in the process mainly due to a combination of very poor buyer protection and buyer scams. I also noticed the other day that EBay is charging a sellers fee on the shipping that you purchase through EBay that actually exceeds the discount that you are given! I spent $13.50 on shipping and the fee was over $5.00 just on the shipping alone. Amazing. I'm sad to do it (I have been selling since 2001) but I'll sell quite a bit more on Craigslist. I'll just make sure to have my 9mm S&W handy for "personal insurance".

[rskron1]

It was a used item. He wanted to return it 3 weeks after purchasing it and it worked when he received it. He received it "as described" and admitted so. You tell me. I'm not Walmart where you can bring it back whenever you want and in any condition for any reason.

[rskron1]

Considering the type of electrical equipment that I (did) sell (sensitive electrical testing equipment) this makes it completely unacceptable for me. The device I sold in this particular situation is a frequency counter. If one was to plug something in to it that delivered just 5 volts DC, It would be permanently destroyed. When someone has had it for 3 weeks and it worked when they got it, I cannot be responsible at that point. If they received it broken, that would be another story. I am selling USED electronic equipment. When I buy such equipment, I understand this. I have never returned equipment that I have purchased used that stopped working at a later date.

[rskron1]

... by leaving inappropriate negative feedback for me. He bought a used item from me. it worked perfectly when he received it. 3 weeks later, it stopped working (for whatever reason). I should also be able to provide my "subjective" feedback about the transaction as well - just as he is allowed to do.

[spinellib1]

I'm currently in a similar issue with a louse Buyer.

For all wondering why the Buyer in this case might deserve negative feedback, here's why:

We are not in the business of loaning our personal property to strangers to use at their whimsy and then return within 30 days at OUR expense.

Of course there are legitimate returns. Of course there are honest ebay buyers. But, as a Seller, ebay gives us no recourse for a Bad Buyer. 

[rskron1]

When I buy a used item, I buy it with the understanding that it is a used item and there is no warranty for lasting any amount of time. If he contacted me a day or two later, I could certainly understand, but I cannot offer a warranty (basically that's what it is) on a used electronic item.

[cardscoinsnmore]

Their feedback policy is Neanderthal, to say the best. This message would not be posted if my true feelings were mentioned. Only site where you can not rate a buyer for what they are. They cater to buyers that blast good sellers trying to ger freebies. And with their new 10% discount to power sellers starting soon, they can stick it. Their 20% always averaged about 14% - what now 4%??? - my new policy is no returns - no nothing to the buyers trying to rip me off. I'll take the bad feedbacks. Why bust my **bleep** to mail 30 orders within 24 hours to get a lousy 4% - if that!???? If not for the sellers eBay be as extinct as the dinosaur. They better wake up & realize who is putting the money in their pockets. Not the buyers - they are not paying the $400+ in fees I do every month! My hope is that Amazon will open a solid compitition so I can move to them. Or Yahoo will re-open their auction site. I never had problems there. We could blast the buyers & they knew it.

[cardscoinsnmore]

In essence they just want your fees.  CORPORATE GREED PURE AND SIMPLE!

[phcd1]

---

@cardscoinsnmore wrote:

...They better wake up & realize who is putting the money in their pockets. Not the buyers - they are not paying the $400+ in fees I do every month! My hope is that Amazon will open a solid compitition so I can move to them....

---

Although I agree with you that sellers pay’s eBay's bills (I've yet to receive an invoice from eBay as a buyer on eBay), however The River will never follow in eBay's footsteps with "used" goods. If anything, eBay is following The River's lead with primarily selling new goods.

People forget that eBay was founded on selling a (albeit broken) laser pointer, including eBay. EBay is just trying to be another cheap .com website (which will be their downfall), when they were once unique.

I used to come here because I couldn’t find my items anywhere else without traveling; now I go anywhere (I’m even going back in the car again)  because eBay doesn’t have it anymore. I’m afraid eBay is following Sears’s lead (selling cheap China made junk).