Serious Buyer Problem: Claims Damage That Wasn’t There

[decorative_selected_assets]

Last week I sold a vintage painting in the style of Picasso for $200 on eBay. I covered €100 shipping costs (Austria to Texas) myself. The buyer also paid ~$35-40 in import taxes because I included the invoice for customs.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/186987678338

Now, the buyer claims the painting received is different from the listing — supposedly missing paint in the bottom left corner. He demands a full refund and threatens to escalate to eBay.

I am 100% sure the painting was in perfect condition when shipped, well packaged, and insured. In over 10 years of selling, I’ve never had a buyer claim damage like this. I believe he either damaged it himself or is trying to scam a refund.

Unfortunately, I know eBay usually sides with buyers, making it very hard for sellers to protect themselves. In the future, I may mark shipments as gifts to avoid customs issues leading to unhappy buyers. 

This situation feels extremely unfair — despite doing everything right, I’m likely to lose both the item and the money.

[decorative_selected_assets]

Thank you very much for your reply and they are not counterfeit and they are just vintage paintings. You can just search on eBay and you will find more of them. They’re not comfortable. They’re not reproductions or copies. And no worries there is a counterfeit organization on eBay and they will take care

[decorative_selected_assets]

Thank you very much for your feedback and suggestions. I will of course learn from that mistake and you are the best answer

[aproudparent2010]

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@decorative_selected_assets wrote:

Thank you very much for your reply and they are not counterfeit and they are just vintage paintings. You can just search on eBay and you will find more of them. They’re not comfortable. They’re not reproductions or copies. And no worries there is a counterfeit organization on eBay and they will take care

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No they aren't, they are fakes, copies, frauds, counterfeits

[kensgiftshop]

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@decorative_selected_assets wrote:

Thank you very much for your feedback and suggestions. I will of course learn from that mistake and you are the best answer

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How come that listing shows it was sold on 4/20, but on 4/21 you ended it because it was lost or broken?

[brianscloset2020]

I sold a laptop on here AS-IS Does not work. Buyer kept it for 5 days and then put in a return request saying the item was not as described. Remember it was sols As-Is. When I got it back after eBay automatically approved the return it was missing parts. I looked up the buyer and he sells refurbished laptops the same as the one he bought from me. When I reported it to eBay I was told nothing they can do because the buyer was a stellar seller. I was out $250. It is sad how people manipulate and lie and eBay stands behind them. 

[mustang707]

Your title for this listing was incorrect. The painting is not from Picasso's Blue Period but rather it is from his Cubism Period.

[kensgiftshop]

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@brianscloset2020 wrote:

I sold a laptop on here AS-IS Does not work. Buyer kept it for 5 days and then put in a return request saying the item was not as described. Remember it was sols As-Is. When I got it back after eBay automatically approved the return it was missing parts. I looked up the buyer and he sells refurbished laptops the same as the one he bought from me. When I reported it to eBay I was told nothing they can do because the buyer was a stellar seller. I was out $250. It is sad how people manipulate and lie and eBay stands behind them. 

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You already have a post about it, no need for another one.

[itsjustasprain]

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@decorative_selected_assets wrote:

Last week I sold a vintage painting in the style of Picasso

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No. You stated in the listing that it WAS a Picasso and you showed numerous photos of the signature.

That is a side issue though. Some of the paint obviously let go of the backing during its shipment and the buyer has a valid claim. I would suggest that you cut your losses on this one - there is no point in paying even more to get it back again - especially when you know (and have stated here) that it is not a real Picasso.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@itsjustasprain wrote:

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@decorative_selected_assets wrote:

Last week I sold a vintage painting in the style of Picasso

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No. You stated in the listing that it WAS a Picasso and you showed numerous photos of the signature.

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And the seller claims (in the description):  

"With this work comes a Certificate of authenticity & registration of the

painting at Fine Arts Registry and a transfer of ownership. The artwork is

described in the documentation and offered as unique artwork"