Problem with a buyer not looking or reading description

[greatlakesretailplus]

Long story short..

buyer bought a sewing machine that was missing a part.

I clearly stated to take the time to look over the pics because I know very little about sewing machines.

I had to google what the missing part was and were it went on the machine, once I did that it clearly shows the part was not included in no less than three pictures..

Now the buyer wants me to purchase the part AND give him compensation for his time and trouble pain and suffering...

He does not seem to want to return the item or at least has not mentioned it as of this time.

He is starting to get rude and insulting and I am trying my very best to not return it in kind.

Any advice would be helpful .

Thanks

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@greatlakesretailplus 

I viewed your listing, I can see that the bobbin plate is clearly missing but I know what I'm looking at.

     Ok, really it should have been in the listing that no bobbin plate is available. If you sew with this machine, fabric and threads can get caught inside the bobbin carriage and cause damage.

     I would find out from Janome how much this part will cost ( they have a website) and since this is a low end model, it should be too high. Then offer that $ back to buyer. No pain and suffering $$ added, jeez.

    If they still moan about it, tell them you will send your friend Bubba over to take care of the pain! Just kidding....

     You'll just have to refund if they continue and open up a case as this missing piece is truly needed to operate properly.

[chapeau-noir]

I agree with just shipping him the throat plate.  He can install the throat plate (which slides in) and there will be an end to his pain and suffering.  Maybe a slight discount for the 'pain'.

This is one of those 'master teacher' situations - it really *should* have been listed for parts or repair because there were parts missing, and therefore it would not be usable until the replacement.  This is an outer casing part and doesn't affect if the machine runs or not, just if it can be used for its stated purpose (sewing). 

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

They are actually referred as bobbin cover slide plates. But I also heard terms of throat plate as well.

     I have 2 Janomes but they are high end machines or else I would have just sent you one of my extras.

[rhma54]

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@greatlakesretailplus wrote:

Well, I am not a sewing machine guru, I have never even heard of a bobbin plate let alone know one was missing..

I stated in the listing "

Used ...in very good condition 

I know very little about sewing machines so please take the time to look over the pics 

Works ..parts move when plugged in...pedal works as it should...

No reason to list it was "for parts or repair"

I have already offered to buy the part and send it to the buyer but the buyer seems to think they are in need of pain and suffering compensation.

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This is on you for failing to act know what you were listing.

[katzrul15]

This is on you for failing to act know what you were listing.

^^^^^This is why I have given up selling things I know nothing about.  Was so glad to find someone to sell a large part of MILs vintage things to and not have to try and sort it out.  This job is hard and even harder when you're selling something you have no frame of reference for.

You are correct, OP's potential buyer(s) needed to know.  Gather OP is a "guy" who to him if it "runs", all good.

Unfortunately, those ships sailed a long while back and as a Seller you do need to know if what you are selling is or is not in working condition.

(As an aside.....some of best purchases on e-bay were from Sellers who had no idea what they were selling.  lol )

[dnasilver]

They have zero leg to stand on about time and trouble. Odds are if they were disposed of. one would find out this person has more time than most to cause trouble. Be nice about buying the part and sending it for free. Make sure you have everything documented or tell them to return it for a full refund at your expense. Nothing more you can really do.

[kensgiftshop]

@greatlakesretailplus 

There is nothing mentioned in the description of any missing pieces, and just looking at the photos, I can't tell if anything is missing.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@kensgiftshop 

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@kensgiftshop wrote:

@greatlakesretailplus 

There is nothing mentioned in the description of any missing pieces, and just looking at the photos, I can't tell if anything is missing.

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That's cuz your a Ken doll, us Barbies can see it right away! 😆

[sin-n-dex]

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@soh.maryl wrote:

Where to start? Did you google the part BEFORE listing so you could at least have said "Missing the widget.  Can be found on eBay for about $18 or whatever".  Or, better still, why not get the part and install it yourself before listing? 

I am an experienced seamstress with many years of sewing on my resume and I could not tell from the pictures what was missing, nor should either your seller or I have had to do so.

You listed as used, not "for parts or repair".  

As I see it, you can either (a) offer to reimburse him for the repair (and do so) or (b) accept the item not as described case if he opens one and then refund upon return.  

Buyers should not have to do detective work on an item they receive.

Not sure I would "get rude and insulting" but I can see where he's coming from.  He expected a complete fully functional sewing machine.  

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I looked over the pictures and it appears the part that's missing is a little metal plate that goes over the bobbin area. I have a sewing machine and I can't imagine sewing with that big gap there.

However I was looking very carefully to try and see what was missing, and had I not had big sirens to alert me to the fact that "something is missing", I would have missed it. I also had to zoom over the various photos to try and figure it out, something a buyer should never have to do.

In any event, I would request a return for refund. I'm not sure how you'd go about buying that piece, but because it's part of the actual machine and not just some replacement thing you can order online when yours breaks, I imagine it wouldn't be easy. Even for $50 that the OP sold this for, I wouldn't in a million years buy something so broken and useless as a sewing machine that I can't actually sew with.

C.

[sin-n-dex]

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@nickelsanddimes2015 wrote:

He either didn't bother to read or he's trying to scam you out of money which happens a lot. Attach the screenshot  and description and kindly tell him that you sold it to him exactly as described and pictured. There is no kind way to deal with a customer like this as he is already going off the deep end and is most likely just trying to scam you for money with his threats. Let him know that you will not tolerate threats and that he has  violated Ebay policy by demanding compensation and the part in question for you to purchase. Let him know that you will be contacting Ebay and have them note his threats. Call Ebay so they are aware and have your account noted so that way if he leaves a negative they will remove it. Ive done this several times and it protects you. Do not give him any Money or buy the part. If he opens a return then so be it however I'm sure this isn't the first time he has done this. Check out the feedback he has left for others before you contact Ebay as well as if there is a pattern they may look into his purchases and give a warning.

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While I agree that a picture is worth a thousand words, a buyer is not scrutinizing to see that part of the actual machine is missing. One might think the missing part is something minor you can just order a replacement for. We have a sewing store in my city dedicated to things for sewing machines, and this piece is not something you can walk into the store and buy.

C.

[sin-n-dex]

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@greatlakesretailplus wrote:

Well, I am not a sewing machine guru, I have never even heard of a bobbin plate let alone know one was missing..

I stated in the listing "

Used ...in very good condition 

I know very little about sewing machines so please take the time to look over the pics 

Works ..parts move when plugged in...pedal works as it should...

No reason to list it was "for parts or repair"

I have already offered to buy the part and send it to the buyer but the buyer seems to think they are in need of pain and suffering compensation.

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I didn't know what it was called, but after scrutinizing your listing I was able to find it in the photos. Had I not known, I'd have overlooked it.

A bobbin plate is not an easy thing to replace, it's sewing machine specific, and replacing it would be a nuissance. Even if I didn't have much money and wanted a Janome (which is a reasonably good machine, although yours is lower end), I wouldn't bother with this listing. The parts move, but you CANNOT SEW with this machine with that piece missing.

C.

[sin-n-dex]

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@katzrul15 wrote:

This is on you for failing to act know what you were listing.

^^^^^This is why I have given up selling things I know nothing about.  Was so glad to find someone to sell a large part of MILs vintage things to and not have to try and sort it out.  This job is hard and even harder when you're selling something you have no frame of reference for.

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I havae a closet full of things I know nothing about... stuff my ex husband left behind at the house when we separated and moved, he couldn't take his collections of junk with him.

One of these days I'll figure it out...

C.

[greatlakesretailplus]

Sure...next time I get a sewing machine I will be sure to make myself some drapes before I sell it...

How many items have you sold that you were not a expert on?

The items works fine other than a stupid plate and a buyer that can not look and read a description

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@greatlakesretailplus 

Actually I looked up your part you need, it is only 6.99 but they are out of stock for the moment. I'll provide the link. The one thing about Janome is that their parts for their machines are usually available and can be found on their website

https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/cover-plate-janome-525060000.aspx

here on this next link is the same 525b listed on the bay, you'll see the clear cover plate on it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164828796297

[releasethekraken_1]

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@greatlakesretailplus wrote:

Sure...next time I get a sewing machine I will be sure to make myself some drapes before I sell it...

How many items have you sold that you were not a expert on?

The items works fine other than a stupid plate and a buyer that can not look and read a description

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In over 1,000 sales, the number of items I’ve sold that I couldn’t use, fully test, and properly do basic maintenance/cleaning of was exactly zero. And my average sale is for more than your sewing machine sold for; some items required extensive testing.

Your attitude doesn’t seem to make you a good fit for this environment.