I've sold here for 2 decades so I have seen all the scams.
Lately, it popped into my head a nuance about the partial refund scam.
I used to just believe the usual, "oh buyers just never read the descriptions", but
now I have a better idea on the main loophole in this scam.
Notice when someone files for a INAD for a refund or partial refund, that ebay
will never care if the description matches the item or not.
So, since that is true, it doesn't matter what you write in your description.
It dawned on me that if someone wants something, but isn't picky about the condition
they can always force a partial refund and then in the end get the better deal they wanted.
A seller can write in the description all the flaws an item has such as,
"it's worn and has lots of wear and scratches".....and then the buyer can file a claim stating that,
"it's worn and has lots of wear and scratches". You see the item was as described, but
that doesn't matter to ebay they will not back the seller on these scenerios.
My feeling is, many of these buyers ARE reading the ads and know this loophole and
purposely buy the item knowing they can negociate a nice partial refund because as
most of you know sellers don't want to deal with the hassles of costly returns.
I only bring this up because this has happened twice to me this week.
Do buyers just expect everything they order to be mint?
This is why I miss the old "as-is". Buyers knew up front the item was as-is and they could
make the descision to buy or not. There really shouldn't be any kind of ebay buyer guarantees
on 60 year old used items. That's just common sense. Bidders now are not subjected to
honor their bids based on the current way returns are handled.
Whenever there is a case of, the seller does everything right and correct, but still is open to scams,
then that is a red flag that the system is flawed and should be corrected.
I am very carefull writing my ads and I try my best to list every flaw I see, so when I get
INAD's filed on me, it's bothersome because I know the item is exactly as I described.
So, did my buyer not read the ad??? or did my buyer READ the ad, and just wanted
a better deal for $20 off??? What do you think?
