eBay

bbingo · ‎07-31-2018

Help! Please! This is the second time I've had this issue. The buyer purchased a 2.5 lb. lot of untested gold and silver jewelry. The buyer drive the bidding price up to over $100. The auction clearly states, "Huge lot of all gold and silver tone jewelry, findings, etc... Pre-owned condition. Testing, repair, harvest, and craft lot. Lots of little pieces - jump rings, clasps, broken chains, etc... None of these items have been tested for silver or gold content??? I do not know if there is precious metal in this lot or not. There may be, there may not be. Please bid accordingly. I do not know how to test jewelry. Please view all photos, this is the exact lot you will receive. Due to the nature of this jewelry auction, there are no returns on this lot."

The buyer received the lot, likely tested it to remove valuable gold and silver, then immediately started a return. He stated, "didn't like it." The lot contains lots of broken chains, clasps, findings, etc. I don't have a way to inventory the lots prior to shipping. As for weight, the buyer could easily replace with something else. Help!

What can I do to protect myself as a seller on these lots? Can Ebay help at all? Advice, please. I've already added this bidder to my blocked bidder list, but have faced this one other time. Thanks for the help!Photo of lot at purchase

lasantino · ‎07-31-2018

i didn't think your listing was dishonest or trying to imply there was real gold or silver. I thought your lot was clearly stated as not tested.. kinda like when someone buys a a storage sight unseen.. they are hoping to find some good stuff, but they don't really know..

a lot of people like the hunt, and thats the kind of buyer that would be attracted to lots.. but for sure for sure for sure,, you need to either offer no returns.( i read that you said in the description no returns, but your policy said 30 day returns).. or you could do as another seller suggested,, offer free shipping and returns.. and obviously,, if someone is returning a grab bag of jewelry, they were a scammer to begin with. They took what they wanted and are sending you the rest back.. I know if you offer free returns.. you absolutely can deduct up to 50% of the purchase price. However,, I think ebay does have a policy in place on certain categories, no returns.. like cosmetics,,etc.

maybe they have some category that is specifically for the lots that are untested etc. and if a buyer buys from that category, they are told absolutely no returns... i think ebay does stand behind no returns in certain categories.