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

[chapeau-noir]

Look - you didn't do anything heinous, you just made a mistake.  Unfortunately, your buyer is being cranky about it, which may happen because he didn't get an operational machine.  It's better to just take the lesson, make sure you vet stuff you sell and don't list what you don't know - that sewing machine, for instance, just posting it on the forums and saying "it runs, but I don't know sewing machines, are all the parts there " would probably have a couple of people tell you that the plate is missing.  Or compare it to the photos online.

I used to clear small estates, and there was so much stuff I knew little or nothing about - old cameras, car accessories from the 50s, etc., I asked a lot of questions here and people were so helpful to answer and help.  Without that help, I wouldn't have dared list that stuff.  I  make enough mistakes as it is.

Hopefully just shipping the part will calm your buyer down.

[greatlakesretailplus]

My attitude...lmao 

It was a joke calm down slugger

If we were all experts on everything we wouldn't be selling on Ebay, we would all be working at NASA.

I guess i could take a class on being a seamstress once it is required until them i will buy a plate and be done with it.

[greatlakesretailplus]

Thanks I found that link also so i emailed them to see what kind of timeline i was looking at to get one..

Just waiting on the response.

[auctionpet]

I can easily see the throat plate missing in the first pic and another one. You can't use a machine without one. Not hard at all to see it missing. The problem is, seller stated "used....in very good condition".  A machine missing an integral part isn't in very good condition. The onus is on the seller to state any item flaws. Yes, a buyer should definitely look at photos, but they, like yourself may not be familiar with all functions/parts of a sewing machine if they were purchasing for someone else, etc or didn't review the photos.

I'd have bit the bullet and found a replacement part to send the buyer or reimburse the cost of one. Doing the right thing when it's a seller error, trumps profit.

This is why I try to only sell items with moving parts I'm familiar with or have someone knowledgeable review them first. It's so easy to miss things on items!

[greatlakesretailplus]

Thanks..

I have been selling on Ebay on and off for years and i just started using this part of it...

I am on the olderside so I am not used to using the internet to "ask" for help lol

I thought it was common sense to look at something carefully before you buy it (least I do) but hey live and learn I suppose.

When I grew up the internet was picking up a rotary phone and calling a friend lol

Thanks 

Again 

[sin-n-dex]

---

@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

---

I know you aren't writing to me... but I have a plethora of things I'm not an expert on. I consult with people in various venues to find out more about what I have. One thing I sell is vintage computer parts, all without boxes or instructions, and I've consulted with people to find out what these things are before I list them. I also find out if the part has been modified or has components missing.

Ignorance is not an excuse.

C.

[greatlakesretailplus]

See ..

Vintage PC parts I would be fine with as I mostly deal in electronics and Clothing 

Vintage stereos, receivers etc are my bread and butter, I just happened to get this stupid sewing machine in a bulk purchase..

I would never have bought it otherwise, but hey now I know what a bobbin plate is I suppose 

Thanks for the advice and help 

[divwido]

What was the part?

[greatlakesretailplus]

The bobbin plate or throat plate AKA a mysteries plate on a sewing machine no one notices is missing until it is to late.

[releasethekraken_1]

---

@greatlakesretailplus wrote:

My attitude...lmao 

It was a joke calm down slugger

---

You told it wrong.

[toysaver]

Any item that has a defect should have the defect spelled out in the title, the condition section and the description.  

[soh.maryl]

"AKA as a mysteries plate".

Really? Just when I was thinking you were a great guy for trying to fix the problem by either reimbursing the buyer for the part or buying the part and sending it, you come up with this?

It's not a mystery.  The throat plate is needed to sew, pure and simple.  You didn't know it was missing because you don't know anything about sewing machines.  Someone who planned to sew on this machine would definitely notice that it was missing BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SEW WITHOUT IT.

[greatlakesretailplus]

"AKA as a mysteries plate".

You people don't take jokes to well..

Jeesh...

"Someone who planned to sew on this machine would definitely notice that it was missing BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SEW WITHOUT IT."

So you are saying the buyer that planned to sew with the machine SHOULD have noticed..

Got it ..

Either way I am waiting for the buyer to message me back so I can buy a plate or tell them to return it.

[axiombody]

Not sure if it was already said, but for missing and broken parts and pieces I go with putting it in the title and in ALL CAPS.  If I am not trying to get someone to buy it unknowingly I have to make it loud so there is no mistake.  Otherwise it just takes that one person who doesn't read it and will find the price of the item better than others because it is broken and buy it without even reading.  I find broken items are a hard sell on Ebay so I try not to sell anything that way.

[greatlakesretailplus]

I generally do also and would have if id known it had a missing part or I will state "READ description" in the title if I know the item has a issue.

I do not sell junk as it wastes my time and the buyers and I don't really do sewing machines since I have zero knowledge on them..

I have a habit of putting to much faith in people and their comprehension of looking at Pictures and reading descriptions..

Sadly

Live and learn.

Thanks for the advice