eBay

riffmax · ‎02-14-2019

I'd like to head off a situation if I can because I believe a recent buyer might try to make trouble. He is making complaints about the item. If he had just returned it, so be it. But now he has admitted to making changes to it. I'm not comfortable accepting a return on an item that he admits is no longer in the condition he received it, by his own hand. Is there anything I can do to circumvent him claiming the item was not as listed?

mudshark61369 · ‎02-14-2019

@riffmax,

At this point no, there's nothing you can do to head them off. However if they open a dispute or return request you can call CS, ask them to review the messages. At the very least they will have to pay the return shipping cost. They may even close the dispute / request in your favor.

"THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FOOLPROOF, BECAUSE FOOLS ARE SO DARNED INGENIOUS!" (unknown)

riffmax · ‎02-14-2019

Thanks for the reply, but I don't feel Ebay does very much to protect sellers.

I would have no problem doing a return if the item was in the condition he received it. But, he has admitted to making changes to the item in addition to specific complaints unrelated to the changes he made. I told him that if he didn't like it, he should have just returned it, but now he has altered it. All he has to do is claim it was not as listed and Ebay will take the money back and IF I get the item back, it's no longer in it's original condition, which - for this item - is critical to its' value.

robot-hands · ‎02-14-2019

If the buyer altered the item it no longer qualifies for the MBG....but who knows what rules apply to that today...let alone tomorrow. Finding someone to apply those rules properly is another task.

You can get it to turn in your favor I'm positive of that but it might take 6-7 phone calls with USA CSRs.

You get overseas CSRs you can forget it....I wouldn't let one of them throw my trash out let alone mess around in my account.

doubledz-a2z · ‎02-14-2019

doubledz-a2z · ‎02-14-2019

Ebay has this policy in place so call them HAVE THEM READ THE EMAIL ALOUD FROM YOUR BUYER and insist they find in your favor. Seems the experts here giving advice simply suggest sellers roll over and return for refund. A buyer cannot alter an item then return it. THIS IS WINNABLE FOR THE SELLER.

castlemagicmemories · ‎02-14-2019

OP, please come back and update this thread after you have called, thank you.

monster-deals · ‎02-14-2019

@doubledz-a2z wrote:
THIS IS WINNABLE FOR THE SELLER.

I think you mean "winnable".

riffmax · ‎02-15-2019

Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify - should I call now, or should I wait to see if he opens a dispute?

I've ever only had one other issue several years ago (but still maintained my 100% positive feedback) and Ebay closed the case before I even had a chance to dispute it. So that's why I'm concerned.

poanann_0 · ‎02-15-2019

@riffmax wrote:
I'd like to head off a situation if I can because I believe a recent buyer might try to make trouble. He is making complaints about the item. If he had just returned it, so be it. But now he has admitted to making changes to it. I'm not comfortable accepting a return on an item that he admits is no longer in the condition he received it, by his own hand. Is there anything I can do to circumvent him claiming the item was not as listed?

Yes, there is but it must be done on first contact.

Right when such a buyer contacts you the very first time you reply with:

Dear Buyer,

I am so sorry you are unhappy with your purchase, please return for a full refund.

Thank you,

Seller.

Please do not deviate from the script.

riffmax · ‎02-15-2019

His first contact was that he was going to take it to a professional to have it looked at. I had no problem with that. His next contact was when he informed me he modified the item himself. Too late to offer a return.

riffmax · ‎02-16-2019

Well, there is a new wrinkle and I think there won't be an issue. I just found out he has listed the item, asking more than 50% more than he paid for it. The listing claims it's the best example there is AND he's using my photos from the original listing. This is now the most interesting Ebay story I've ever heard!

I don't think I'm going to be hearing from him 🙂

riffmax · ‎02-16-2019

Oh yeah - one more thing. He's misrepresenting it by describing it has certain attributes that it does not.

castlemagicmemories · ‎02-16-2019

When he altered the item, he lost the right to return it. In altering it, he accepted the item as his.

castlemagicmemories · ‎02-16-2019

@riffmax wrote:
Well, there is a new wrinkle and I think there won't be an issue. I just found out he has listed the item, asking more than 50% more than he paid for it. The listing claims it's the best example there is AND he's using my photos from the original listing. This is now the most interesting Ebay story I've ever heard!

I don't think I'm going to be hearing from him 🙂

You might if he doesn't sell it, but I hope not.