Ebay isn’t following the rules or the rules have changed.

[bridgett372]

To my knowledge, it has always been, if you sell an electronic item, the buyer  doesn’t contact you for 3 weeks the item doesn’t work, but instead admits in the eBay messages they took it to the shop to try and repair for 3 days, that the item would no longer available for return for refund, because it isn’t coming back in the same condition.  This was a vintage amplifier and there is no way to know if fuses haven’t been changed or switched, or electrical boards soldered, etc. The buyer had to have removed the original security tape to get in the amplifier to repair it. eBay said I have to accept the return and when I get it, I need to send pictures of the item not being returned in its original condition. If I the eBay investigation proves it’s not in the original condition, we can dispute the refund. Lolol. How in the heck would we do that? How would we know or would ebay know what fuses or boards were switched without a magician. Then they told me, I could submit the eBay messages as proof the item isn’t coming back in the original condition. I said, you already have that, so it’s clear someone already found in favor of the buyer. The item was also sold as-is.  I can never sell another electronic item if the customer is allowed to open up the item and make changes. Who could? Anyone else experience this obvious new change in the rules. Before today, if this ever happened, the case was closed in the sellers favor and we didn’t have to accept the return. 

[kensgiftshop]

In their messages, do they say if anything was done to it or just that they took it to a shop?

[bonanza125]

As-Is no return doesn't apply anymore. If a buyer is unhappy with the item or deem the item as junk not repairable then they can file a not as described case against the seller in get there money back upon return. Just know when you list an item not working, untested, or as-is that the item can get returned. This includes items which were tampered with. Ebay has favored buyers over sellers and trying to appeal this issue will get you nowhere. They have a 30 day return policy. Just the way it is. My advice is think twice before listing a non working item. 

[bridgett372]

So, even after they destroyed the value of the item by removing fuses and parts? My understanding if they alter the item it wasn’t available for a refund. I sold as is but it was working or powered up. It no longer powers up. Customer took it apart by his own admission. Then he said he wanted to keep the item and use for parts but wanted a full refund.  The buyer is told to return the item in the same condition. I even clearly pointed out a lie. He said his expert engineers tested the item and pulled the fuses to test with ohm meter, then he says he sent it to a shop. If his engineers were experts, why the need to send it to a shop? I said “as is” because maybe a cable port was bad for an item trying to amplify another item or there are some compatibility issues with a product he wanted to amplify. It was written they could have a refund if they returned the item in the condition it was sent. It was not. The removed the security tape off the back. 

[carlmarxx]

No that isn't the way  it is  .    And eBay  has  known  that for years  .     Once  buyer  took it  to a repair  shop   ,it is now been changed not in same condition  the  buyer got it .   The OP's buyer waited  3 week's  to tell him or her  it wasn't working .  Both federal and  state  merchant and  consumer  protection  statues    state buyers lose  all right's to refunds when  they  change  and or   tamper  with items when they take them to a repair  shop  or  to a garment shop  .      

[bridgett372]

They customer specifically said they removed the back and fuses, tore the security tape off and tested the ports with ohm meter. It’s all in the messages. I have been on for 3 hrs with specialist team. They just told me, the buyer is protected by money back guarantee on any item, even if it’s altered or destroyed. The supervisor said even if it’s determined on appeal to be completely destroyed, the best I’ll get is 50%.  That’s after I take it to shop and spend the money to get the valuation of the destroyed item. 

[carlmarxx]

I would  call ebay back until  you get a U.S. rep  on  the phone   because  the buyer  doesn't have  protection   once  they  altered the item. 

[bridgett372]

It is in fact the way it is. I have been on the phone for hours with support specialist in escalations and she said, and I quote, “even though the buyer protect says it must be returned in the same condition, I was told it wasn’t actually policy and I must accept even altered items. They said unless I prove malicious intent, I must offer a full refund to a first time buyer. Then I could appeal. What do you think they will do after I refund them to make appeal? They will cancel their account of course. Now, this is $1000 item. Normally, all $100 items it went exactly as you said. eBay would say it’s been altered so no refund required. I was told today that was a courtesy. 

[bridgett372]

I have called for 7 days and have been on the phone for a total of 5 hrs today, speaking to over 20 reps. The problem is, once the escalation team makes a decision, right or wrong, they won’t reverse. You are not protected by this fictitious seller protection. I don’t believe I have ever been treated so unfairly by any company. We didnt know there was a problem for a couple of weeks and at that time he said he opened the back a pulled the fuses and checked with his ohm meter. Then he said he sent to the shop and it was going to cost 3k to fix and wanted his money back but wanted to keep the item. We asked eBay reps if we needed to accept the return and they all said no and said were protect because they altered and took to shop. Next day, account was put on hold, and we were told to send a return label. We called back 13 different or so occasions all being told they will make a reference in the notes we were protected and didn’t owe a refund. Meanwhile account was still on hold, customers purchasing but we had to ship without the money. Everyday we called and this was the definitive answer. 

[carlmarxx]

Ebay has always said  item's altered by buyers  has been no refunds  . Not a thing about it  being a  courtesy.  WoW!  that is crazy. 

[carlmarxx]

 WoW!  they have the proof that buyer  tampered  with that Item in messaging . sorry they still have your account on hold . Just odd because  I have seen  and read  a number threads like yours's over the years  ,That eBay  has  back  up  OP sellers  like you that had buyers admitted  in messaging  that they  tamper and altered the items   .

[dhbookds]

What do you think they will do after I refund them to make appeal................

They will refund you at least 50% out of their own pockets.........

[inhawaii]

The brutal reality.

It doesn't matter what the buyer did to it.

Take it apart and tinkered with it.

Smash it with a sledge hammer.

Throw it off a cliff.

If he files a INAD (item not as described) he will get a refund.

And if you try to fight the return, he wont have to send the item back.

[carlmarxx]

How  can the buyer file snad  after they tampered  with it  ? also  would   the  snad be considered suspected  when said buyer waited 3 weeks to complain  about it?             

[carlmarxx]

They  will refund the buyer  out of their pocket   and not take a dime from the OP  with all the evidence in the messaging . .