Authentication and minor defect

[lord_whiteley]

Hello forum,

I sold a watch recently that had to be sent to be Authenticated.
I got a message from the Authenticator saying that was watch was authenticated but they noted a minor defect ie a slight mark on the side.

They said that they would contact the buyer to see if he wanted to proceed with the sale or reject it (and return the watch to me for a refund).

I have just had an email saying the buyer has accepted the minor defect and the Authenticator are sending him the watch.

My question is, can the Buyer receive the watch and reject it still? Surely if there was any doubt in the buyers mind he could simply of rejected it?

[tarotfindsandmore]

By reject it, do you mean return it?  If so, keep in mind that buyers can return items for any reason they want, including "changed my mind."

[stephenmorgan]

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@lord_whiteley wrote:

My question is, can the Buyer receive the watch and reject it still? Surely if there was any doubt in the buyers mind he could simply of rejected it?

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According to policy maybe?

https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/buying-authenticity-guarantee/buying-authenticity-guarantee?id=5470...

Returns with Authenticity Guarantee

If you've changed your mind about an authenticated item, check the listing in your Purchases to see if the seller accepts returns and, if so, how long you have to request a return.

In the unlikely event that you receive an item that does not match the listing, you may be eligible for eBay Money Back Guarantee. This generally means you can return it even if the seller doesn't accept returns, for example if the item was damaged during shipping. However, some items are considered "final sale" and have limited coverage under eBay Money Back Guarantee.

When you're returning an item, we'll give you a return shipping label to send it back to the authenticator. They'll check that the item is still in the same condition and has all relevant accessories. Once the item has been re-inspected, you'll receive a full refund and the item will be returned to the seller.

If the authenticator determines the returned item is not the same item that was originally authenticated, or is not in the same condition as when it was authenticated, the item will be sent back to you and you won't receive a refund. Learn more about our Condition of returned items policy.

[lord_whiteley]

I mean the Authenticators have asked the Buyer if they want to accept the watch or not.
In this case the Buyer has accepted delivery of the watch to them despite being advised on the issue and giving them the chance to reject the watch and get a refund.

[adamcartwright]

@lord_whiteley 

What was your return policy? 

I have a no returns policy, so when my listings have been authenticated, that removed the possibility of INAD so they were considered final sale.  That's the only way I would sell an authenticated item.

[tarotfindsandmore]

Got it.  Well all eBay has done is possibly shorten the return time, if that's what the buyer wants to do.  Even with an acceptance (by the buyer), the buyer can still return the item.  If this happens, accept it, and relist the item with the additional information.  

Personally, I try to make flaws as obvious as possible in my listings (that is not to say I haven't missed some or won't in the future).  I'll signpost buyers in the title ("READ"), take very clear, close up pics of the flaw(s), and clearly explain the problems in the description.  It won't necessarily stop a return, but it may help avoid the rigamarole of going back and forth.

[lord_whiteley]

To be fair I didn’t realise that there was an issue until the Authenticator pointed it out. I’m guessing it must have been very minor as the policy is to return the watch to the seller if the watch doesn’t match the description (I always have no returns on my listings, not that it makes any difference).

it just appears to me that the Buyer has been given the opportunity to opt out of the sale as the Authenticator doesn’t believe that the watch condition matches the description.

I’m not sure how the Buyer could now request a refund under item not as described when it’s made clear to them that it isn’t??
Personally, I’d have rather the Buyer had rejected the watch, got the watch back from the Authenticator, get the defect sorted out, refund the buyer and then re-list the watch

[lord_whiteley]

Yes I always set no returns. The Authenticator has told the Buyer the watch doesn’t match the description ( they have provided close up photos to me and the Buyer).
However, the buyer has now accepted the watch and it’s now being sent to them.

I can’t see how the Buyer can now claim INAD?

[stephenmorgan]

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@lord_whiteley wrote:

Yes I always set no returns. The Authenticator has told the Buyer the watch doesn’t match the description ( they have provided close up photos to me and the Buyer).
However, the buyer has now accepted the watch and it’s now being sent to them.

I can’t see how the Buyer can now claim INAD?

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Policy says they are still eligible for eBay Money Back Guarantee.

If an issue is found during inspection

If the authenticity of an item can't be verified, or the item's condition is not consistent with the listing, it won't be sent on to you and you'll get your money back.

Sometimes, an item passes our authenticity checks but there's a minor discrepancy with its listing. For example, the item is not in its original packaging, there's a minor mark that wasn't mentioned in the listing, or it's missing an accessory that was part of the listing.

If this happens, we'll get in touch with you. We'll let you know the details, provide any relevant pictures, and ask you to confirm whether you'd still like to go ahead with the purchase.

• If you choose to go ahead, we'll send it on to you as an authenticated item. Your purchase will still be eligible for eBay Money Back Guarantee
• If you decline the item (or we don't hear back from you within the time frame provided), we'll return it to the seller and you'll get a refund

[lord_whiteley]

Well as I said, I’d rather the Watch hadn’t been sent into the Buyer and returned to me to sort the issue out, refund the buyer and re-list - but I didn’t get a choice 😞