Screwed by the "system"

[nightparts01]

Here's a situation for you - I sold an item (electronic, no less) to a customer.  Yes, it is used, and yes, I listed it as such in the ad.  Stressed the fact that it was used.  The customer received it, and then contacted eBay saying it died after an hour.  Then, they took it apart!!  Admitted it in a email that they took it apart because they were a "tech" and knew what they were doing.  Then, they got "the system" involved who ruled against me.  I appealed the decision, pointing out the fact that it worked exactly like I said in the ad (hello - used electronics does NOT have a "break down clock" on it!), and the fact that they took the **bleep** thing apart(!!!), both of which they admitted in email...... and lost the appeal!!

What more do I have to do to get a fair shot?  No wonder I stopped selling on "the system" so much, and switched to Amazon.  This is the first thing in a year or so that I have listed....and got kicked in the teeth for it.

I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else.

[stainlessenginecovers]

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@gamersbaystore wrote:

The OP's listing literally states its for parts/not working, its clearly stated in the description of the listing too. The irony of a buyer whining that an item doesnt work when the listing clearly states so.

ebay is flat out wrong for siding with the buyer in my opinion.

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Those small little 'italic' words above a title are NOT CLEARLY STATED; and the Description? Nobody Reads those (or many don't). 

Like I said: Put it Right in the Title to save a future issue (as this comes up here on the boards all the time): NOT WORKING

[coolections]

@moondogblues   You do not know what happened other than the buyer opened it. The OP mentions all types of hints n the description that a person may be able to get it to work. Parts only means you are selling trash and trying to force a buyer to keep it. The Ebay people have already said a buyer can still get a return even on trash items.

[inhawaii]

All electronics will eventually malfunction.

Many times this happens during transit. 

It works fine for the seller. Does not work for the buyer.

This is a very very common thing.

Let's assume the buyer did not tamper with/try to fix the unit.

Would you still pay for return shipping and want the broken item back?

If the answer is "no" then it doesn't really matter that the buyer tampered with/tried to fix the unit.

[joliztoyco]

And what if his answer is YES??? Should a seller be forced to accept back a pile of electronic debris when he sent out a complete product? And what stopping scammers from buying "electronics", parting them out for valuable pieces, and then shiping back the junk for a full refund? Where is the "seller" protection?
I'm busy right now scanning the listings for old Marshall guitar amps. I'll buy one, and when I get it I'll claim it doesn't work...strip out the tubes and speakers, and send the remnants back for a full refund!!! Good old Ebay.....  

[gamersbaystore]

The buyer in this case claimed the item didnt work, the listing clarified that to begin with. Not working means Not Working.

The buyer didnt receive an empty case. As the OP stated, "The customer received it, and then contacted eBay saying it died after an hour." 

[mam98031]

I agree, but the seller could have and should have said that in the title.  The way the description is worded it appears that the item might work if the missing parts were added.

With that said, the person buying it should have realized that it is highly unlikely that you are going to get a working laptop computer for $30.

Then there is the fact that by the buyer's own admission they messed with the item.  Added or took away parts, mixed things around or whatever they did.  What the seller sent was no longer in the same condition it was when they sent it.  It had been manipulated by the buyer.  This use to be a policy in which a seller could deny the refund, but unfortunately Ebay took that away a few years ago [2018].  

[Anonymous]

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@nightparts01 wrote:

and the appeal board *still* denied me.

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Appeal board, lol. We can all dream...

[gamersbaystore]

They did say that in the title. It was also stated in the condition description and main description of the listing. Its all clearly stated. Right below the title it states For Parts/Not Working, very clearly spelled out.

[gamersbaystore]

The listing literally says for parts not working directly below the description. It was very clearly stated multiple times in the listing.

Its not the sellers fault buyers are too lazy to read the description of what they're buying.

According to ebay, making a purchase on this platform is a legally binding agreement. You're agreeing to the terms of the sale when you make a purchase, including the terms outlined in the description.

I have had ebay close many cases in my favor because buyers did NOT read the description. Such as international buyers circumventing my shipping policies, and buyers not having expensive items inspected by the postal service after being damaged during shipping. ebay found those cases in my favor every time, because of what was stated in the listing.

I've had multiple international buyers over the years open INR cases, despite the fact I dont ship to their countries. My response, go pound sand, you aint getting your money back.

Sellers need to make sure they gather all the facts and have a compelling argument at the ready before fighting cases. ebay is in control, we dont know what their decisions will be, but we can still influence the outcome.

[lakefor94]

@nightparts01 @gamersbaystore 

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@gamersbaystore wrote:

The OP's listing literally states its for parts/not working, its clearly stated in the description of the listing too. The irony of a buyer whining that an item doesnt work when the listing clearly states so.

ebay is flat out wrong for siding with the buyer in my opinion.

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I get your point, but we all know the only thing the seller can accomplish is a courtesy refund to the seller from eBay. You want to waste a "hard to come by" courtesy refund opportunity on a cheap piece of junk?

I have a few of those type listings, For Parts Not Working. It is risky business if you care about service metrics and the extra 6% eBay can tack on FVF. It is just begging for a return. Buyers guess they can get it up and running. When they can't,  you get a return.

I have a stack of laptops that are 6-10 years old without power supplies that I will give away for free.  For the most part, they were retired from a working environment, but if you can't boot them, well, they ain't going in my listings. Most of that stuff goes to a lady flea market friend for free. It is not worth the hassle to me. I have learned to part with the junk. Scrap it, recycle or give it away.

[mam98031]

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@gamersbaystore wrote:

They did say that in the title. It was also stated in the condition description and main description of the listing. Its all clearly stated. Right below the title it states For Parts/Not Working, very clearly spelled out.

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See that just proves my point.  While I agree with most of what you stated, the seller still could have added that into the title, they had plenty of room.

I wouldn't have been confused with this listing as written and you wouldn't, that is clear.  But others, well there is proof all over this community that they don't.

[gamersbaystore]

This is exactly why I dont sell items that are for parts/not working. I would agree this is kind of a gray area with ebay, I just stay away from making such listings.

Too many item not as described cases will trash your account, and the added fees are an issue too. In my my opinion its best to try and avoid such instances as much as possible.

[chapeau-noir]

I sell my parts and repair trash elsewhere - there's a thriving market for it but the way the returns work here lately it can be a real pitfall - I used to sell it here. Mine is all small, repairable electrics where parts are available and they are well worth fixing - high end coffee grinders, espresso stuff, pricey irons, etc.  The old tech I sell is seller refurbed but now I have to sell it as 'used'.

Edit: fat fingers.

[nightparts01]

Yes, it was that laptop.  And I made it super clear so there would be no mistake.

[nightparts01]

And yet, here I sit with a tore-apart laptop. 🙂