Ebay's Inconsistent Policies

[calculus314]

I sold a small Singer Serger to someone. They did a snad after using 2 rolls of thread. It came back without the manual.  I had it offered as no returns. It was new in the box. I called Ebay yesterday ans was told I would be able to issue a partial refund today. When that option was not available today, I called Ebay to ask where it was. The guy said I am not going to be able to give a partial refund because I did not offer 30 day returns. Different than yesterdays answer. He said they will get their entire refund. I asked if I buy something that has no returns like a radio, take the antenna off for my radio then send it back, I would get a full refund, right? He said that is fraud. LOL what inconsistent policies! 

[d.amber · Accepted solution]

This is a good reminder that you should offer 30 day free returns.  It might seem like an awful risk for a seller, but the benefits are shown and if you include 1 day handling you can work your way to a top rated seller 'TRS'.

In all the years I've sold and offered free returns, I like I've only two returns.  Sorry for your experience though.  I hope you can resell it as open box and that you can get the manual back.

[chapeau-noir]

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@katzrul15 wrote:

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@calculus314 wrote:

These all come pre threaded when they were new. I made no accusation. I stated that it was missing and wanted to deduct value for an incomplete return. A reprinted online manual is never the same. Would you rather buy an item with the original manual or a reprinted one?

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I doubt they came pre-threaded.  We have a self-threading machine - it would make zero sense to send a serger pre-threaded from the factory.  I can see including thread assortment colors, etc.  

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@katzrul15  Those Singer Tiny Sergers did actually come pre-threaded.  They were little entry-level machines meant for small, simple jobs and very new users, and the pre-thread was to help these users figure out the threading pattern, and the different colour thread they were loaded with helped them trace the individual thread path to become familiar with it.

@calculus314  I understand your annoyance at the CS doublespeak - you're not the first to have been frustrated with that. But as others have asked - did you contact your buyer about shipping the manual back?  They probably just forgot to put it in the box.  If you have the manual you can reload the machine (or not) and sell it used (since it has been used) open box.   Yes, it depreciates value, but unfortunately, that's the way it has gone here.

One thing with those little machines - they tend to jam when using cheap thread - you have to get the good evenly spun stuff to use them. 

[chapeau-noir]

TRS is a seller status.*  TRS Plus is a listing status - there's nothing to work your way towards in that case, all a TRS seller has to do is use free returns and one-day shipping on a particular listing and that listing will have TRS Plus status.

It does give the seller choices.

*That's the status one needs to qualify for.