eBay

mrsprdave · ‎10-01-2022

I don't consistently sell on Ebay, but occasionally sell some extra stuff. This is the first time I've experienced this so help navigating what I should do would be appreciated!

I sold a new breaker and the buyer has sent a return request:

"Doesn't match description or photos"

"This breaker arrived dirty and chipped and definitely not in NEW condition! I would like a refund please and thank you."

There are no photos or any other information. No feedback has been exchanged. No offer about shipping it back but could be implied I guess.

I'm fairly certain the buyer is scamming in some way. I carefully spent several minutes looking over every mm of the breaker before I sent it and also picked the best looking one out of the box (even though they are all new, but some have a bit of scuffing on the label from the store like normal). The top of my listing says that the new breakers don't come in packaging, because they don't have individual packaging. Literally as if you picked it off the shelf at Home Depot. I packaged in multiple layers, much more than breakers I've received myself.

The buyer picked it up from the post office 18 days ago, after being left a notice to pick it up. So I know it wasn't just sitting in their mailbox or something. It's about 25 days from purchase.

All that to say that I know what I sent, and I'm fairly sure the breaker wouldn't have been damaged in transit. But if it was, it would have been obvious on the packaging, but they didn't say anything for nearly 3 weeks?

So how to navigate... my first thought was to ask for photos showing this 'damaged' breaker/packaging. But is that the best, or would that trigger them to do something more nefarious (purposefully damage?). Or do I act like I don't care and complain afterword?

I realize I probably don't have much choice but to accept refunding... but if there is anything I should be thinking of, that maybe they would back down and/or obtain some evidence of the scamming?

interesting side experience... I sold someone else a breaker before that, and a week later they bought another and messaged me to check how quickly it ship - since they dropped and broke the first one! He was obviously annoyed with himself but thankful I could ship quick saying his loss was my gain lol.

mrsprdave · ‎10-02-2022

So I clicked to accept the return... and now it shows me pictures!? The pictures show he obviously used it (minor stripping on the terminal screws for one thing).

It gives me options about uploading my own label or not being able to provide a label... but not (so far anyway) for Ebay to provide a label (I'm in Canada, I probably should have mentioned if I didn't already)

mrsprdave · ‎10-03-2022

I finally set up for returns on the Canada Post website, was a real headache, took so much time, many errors and glitches and on the phone with them. But got the return label made and uploaded so will see what he does.

Unfortunately it says the buyer has until Nov 1st to ship it back (4 weeks?)... Even Ebay told me 15 business days. Which is the reason I couldn't come up with any other ideas; even if I could buy a paid label originating from the buyer somehow, CP told me it would expire in 7 days... so doesn't really help if he can just wait for it to expire.

jbpots · ‎10-03-2022

One question is did you have photos of the actual breaker in your listing, or did you use "stock" photos? EBay policy states that a returned item must be in the same condition as it was when it was shipped to the buyer. If he returns it in a different condition, you should them post photos of it either in member to member messaging or on the return request, and then call eBay and tell them that it wasn't returned in the same condition. Ask them to close the return without any refund to the buyer.

Lastly if the cost of the breaker is less than it would cost you to have it returned, just cut your loss, and refund the buyer. Sometimes it's not worth the Hassell or risk of a negative feedback. Sellers do have more protection than we used to, so it doesn't hurt to call eBay. You won't see a number to call, so go into the help screens and choose an option that will show a box saying "Contact Us". Click that and a chat session will open. Them type "Call Me" and click send. You will follow to choose for an eBay rep to call you. Usually it happens pretty fast.

Good luck!

mrsprdave · ‎10-04-2022

@jbpotsI used an actual photo of ONE of the breakers, it is a multiple quantity listing. All the breakers are identical or newer, in identical condition, the photo isn't good/close enough to really show any differences between possible superficial scratches. Actually, I'm just zooming in on the photo and I can see some dust on it and minor scuffing on the barcode. So it's not like I even picked the most pristine to doctor it.

But let me know if you have any suggestions to make things more clear.

The cost of the breaker new is several times the shipping. I'm not sure how saleable it's going to be damaged though, but also don't want to reward him with a free breaker if I can help it 😕

I've talked to Ebay a couple times now and at least they act like they're on my side and will help... we'll see what happens.

Anyway, the buyer has marked it as shipped in the wee hours of the morning, even though no tracking update.

mrsprdave · ‎10-13-2022

Minor update. It's been 10 days since providing the label and 9 days since the buyer marked the case as shipped. There is no update to the tracking so the buyer still hasn't actually shipped.

Just checked in with Ebay and they say there is no possible way for him to request a refund without shipping it and the case will expire Oct. 25 if item not shipped by Oct. 18, but so the wait continues.

mrsprdave · ‎10-21-2022

Yay selling is fun (not)

I got an item not received request for an item delivered (according to tracking) on Oct 17th. Ebay says to message with the buyer but that also they would close the case in my favour on Oct 26th since I have tracking proof of delivery.

Another package has been stuck on "out for delivery" but also "Item re-routed due to processing error" for 10 days now.

So I have two tickets open with Canada Post... and Ebay cases opened on about 20% of the last 2 months sales.

mrsprdave · ‎10-31-2022

So as a followup conclusion,

1. The original case of Item Not As Described: I provided a shipping label, the buyer marked as shipped, but did not ship it per the tracking. Was able to eventually request Ebay close the case.

2. The other Item Not Received case: Tracking showed delivered, and after some messages and me opening a case with Canada Post, the buyer found the item... After a few days I was able to get Ebay to step in and close the case.

3. The other concern with a Canada Post processing error that still does not show delivered on tracking - no case was opened, but I eventually messaged the buyer to make sure they got it, and fortunately they agreed that they received it. So I at least have that on record.

Thanks everyone for their assistance!