01-17-2018 06:32 PM
So I just got started with trying to sell items on eBay about a month ago. This whole time has been quite the learning process and I have had so many problems already. My biggest issue is now with selling a PS4 ( have been trying to sell it for 3 weeks ). Someone purchased it (https://www.ebay.com/itm/302596783802), I paid $17 for flat rate to get it to the buyer as quickly as possible and I kept up with the tracking number to make sure there were no issues. 13 minutes after the item arrived the buyer wanted to return the item for 'no controllers'. The item says exactly what it includes, and pictures of everything that is included.
Oh, and that isn't even it. The buyer didn't want to pay return shipping or the 20% restocking fee, so he says there is something wrong with what I sent him. I don't know what to do, I sent multiple messages to the buyer about this, no response. I have to respond to this by the 19th and I can't afford to pay out of my own pocket for return shipping and fvf...
01-18-2018 05:35 AM - edited 01-18-2018 05:39 AM
@coolections wrote:What is ridiculous is new sellers (and some old sellers), who list items that you cannot even use. They do not even tell the potential buyers that it cannot be used. Stating that the item is in great condition but yet it cannot be used. On top of that it is ridiculous that seller have begun using this restocking 20% fee. Ebay needs to stop this IMMEDIATELY. The only thing that should be allowed to be listed for a restocking fee is a brand new item that was opened by the buyer.
What is ridiculous is that ebay lures newbie sellers to list on ebay with the promise that it's fast and easy money to sell on ebay - without any warnings about the risks of doing so. And even less detailed instructions.
What is even more ridiculous is that ebay allows the use of their tools - like catalog, in every situation with the implication that it makes the newbies life easier, when it just adds more risk.
I believe that catalog should ONLY be used in cases of manufacture new merchandise, vetted in most cases, gotten directly from authorized distributors or factory, anything that has once been in a retail situation and purchased should no longer be considered new, and should never have a catalog entry attached to the listing.
OP, rather than continue to attempt to list the item when you had problems with it, you should have set it aside and gained more experience and done some research on the viability of selling it. Game systems are some of the highest scammed items on ebay and newbie sellers listing high dollar/high scam items are almost guaranteed to get scammed. While the buyer has a legit complaint, I think that this is going to be a large loss for you because of what it is and not the mistake in your comprehension of the catalog, and I don't think it's just going to be postage.
Tell the buyer to return for a refund, send them a return ship label, and then wait for something (probably not what you shipped out) to come back and then you will HAVE to refund them. At this point, there is absolutely nothing else you can do to have any hope of salvaging something out of this transaction.
01-18-2018 05:39 AM
"Better yet, find some second hand controllers for cheap and have them drop shipped to the buyer."
Two people have suggested this. I don't think it's a good idea.
The seller has tried to communicate with the buyer with no response. There is no indication that the buyer would accept these controllers and close the case. The buyer seems intent on returning for a refund.
If the seller ships controllers to the buyer and the buyer DOES NOT close the case, the seller has no recourse to get the controllers back. They are not part of the original listing and would be a gift to the buyer. Then the seller would be out the cost of the controllers in addition to the original and return shipping on the game, which he has already indicated he can ill afford.
Plus it is incredibly unlikely that the controllers would arrive before time expired and the buyer could ask eBay to step in and close the case.
And we're assuming that the drop-shipper sends the correct, working item timely, which by definition the seller would have no control over.
I think the best course of action here is for the seller to accept the return. IF he gets the game back in working and resellable shape, it might be wise to buy controllers before attempting to sell the game again, so he can sell a complete system.
01-18-2018 06:57 AM
The OP did sell a complete system - even according to the catalog specs.
01-18-2018 07:21 AM
@d-k_treasures wrote:The OP did sell a complete system - even according to the catalog specs.
EBay’s product info was posted in post #7; it clearly mentions the wireless controller.
And I wouldn’t send an aftermarket controller as a replacement. That’s still SNAD. If I sell something with aftermarket parts, I clearly state that in the listing.
01-18-2018 07:26 AM
The simple 2 words that may have saved all this drama " NO CONTROLERS " .
01-18-2018 07:36 AM
@lintbrush* wrote:
I disagree with you that without controllers it isn't functional. The system works.
Your analogy would mean that things that take batteries to run would be SNAD if batteries weren't included... or like a working car without gas will work when it gets gas.
I can sell you a working CPU but you need other things to use it.
Totally different analogy - I'll sell you a brand new car - but it needs a battery to run - it is not fully functional unless the battery is invcluded. Most gaming systems when identified as functional have the controllers - just as the car would have the battery.
01-18-2018 08:03 AM
As a buyer of these type items it would be really frustrating if a seller had to put it in parts of not working just because it's missing a controller... It's pretty common for sellers to sell these systems without them and they tend to go for much cheaper and I don't always need the controller or the power cord that makes the cost go up. But if I had to sift through tons of broken not working systems just to find these type items I'd quit getting them here. I already get frustrated at the few broken ones that sellers put in used category.
01-18-2018 08:10 AM
01-18-2018 08:11 AM
01-18-2018 08:11 AM
If the buyer opened a NAD case, seller will have to pay return shipping. Do not ask eBay to step in now.
Accept the return (this will generate a shipping label at your expense), wait for the item to be returned back to you before refunding the buyer, check the item for completeness, and if the buyer sent you back anything other than what you sent him, or if you disagree with the buyer's reason for return, you can report them for misusing MBG and misusing returns. Because you have a return policy and a restocking fee, when you report a problem with the buyer, you should be able to refund minus the restocking fee and return shipping.
01-18-2018 08:12 AM
Also - if you are a new seller, scammers will target you (especially in electronics sales).
You should start with very low priced items, build up your experience and your account, then start selling more expensive items.
01-18-2018 08:17 AM
This is why listings have to be very explicit about what they do and do not contain.
The catalog should only be used for new items, you used a description that said the controller was included.
Sorry this happened to you, OP, but just spell out exactly what the listing is for, and what is NOT included and you will be covered. No misunderstandings. Check your listings before you hit submit, and after. Ask yourself, is everything crystal clear? Is it accurate? Does it explicitly say what the buyer is getting?
Such as controller NOT included.
Good luck.
01-18-2018 08:21 AM
The words "Wireless Gaming Controller " are there on the listing.
Perhaps you should accept the return..
You didn't make it perfectly clear that there was no controller.
I think the buyer would win a snad dispute..
01-18-2018 08:35 AM
@chung-lee-2 wrote:The simple 2 words that may have saved all this drama " NO CONTROLERS " .
I don't think that would have done much good the buyer clearly didn't read or likes to mess with sellers and cost them money.
01-18-2018 09:06 AM
@lookng2015 wrote:
ACtually most BRAND NEW consoles come with ONE controller - period.
And the seller should have included that controller, or clearly stated that it wasn’t included.