buyer returns camera as not working (user error)

[ericlovescameras]

hi. when i list a camera as film tested, it’s film tested. so i was very surprised when a buyer requested a return saying one did not work. with an unhappy message saying he wasted $40 on film trying to fix it.

i tried to trouble shoot with him and said if it truly was broken i’d send him a free pack of film ($25) for use with his next camera. after my first two ideas he said he used to have this camera and there was nothing he was doing wrong on his end. i clicked accept return.

upon receiving it, the self timer option is on. which perfectly explains his issue with the camera. guy is a professional photographer; i’m angry at his lack of competence. the camera works perfect.

he also did not send back the included manual in the return.

guy lived on opposite side of country as me and shipping back and forth was more than 50 percent item value.

i do not want to buy this person replacement film and i do not want to refund until he sends me the  manual. will ebay allow him to neg me?

[sam9876]

Yes.

[lewisburggold]

Yes the probably will.  Your in a tough spot.   Best regards

[ericlovescameras]

should i reply through ebay asking for him to send me the manual? i have to resell this thing now. he sent an incomplete return.

[bigdeals.etc]

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@ericlovescameraswrote:

should i reply through ebay asking for him to send me the manual? i have to resell this thing now. he sent an incomplete return.

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Yes do that. Do not refund him the money until he does return it. Call ebay and tell them your problem (buyer returned item incomplete) and see if they can offer some help. Make sure you don't talk to an overseas agent. Usually if you ask for the appeals dept you will get someone in the states.

Eventually if things get ugly, I would politely clarify with the buyer that your offer for film was dependent on if the camera was in fact broken... in this case it isn't. Ebay will never make you shell out more money than the purchase price of the sold item for a buyer no matter the reason... even if the camera was in fact broken.

[grannywith6]

Agree, Call CS, ask for the appeals department, and tell them buyer returned item incomplete/and that there was nothing wrong with it in the first place (explain the timer setting)...Let us know!

[sam9876]

" Call ebay and tell them your problem (buyer returned item incomplete) and see if they can offer some help."

eBay doesn't care.  They will give the buyer a full refund.

[d-k_treasures]

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@bigdeals.etcwrote:

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@ericlovescameraswrote:

should i reply through ebay asking for him to send me the manual? i have to resell this thing now. he sent an incomplete return.

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Yes do that. Do not refund him the money until he does return it. Call ebay and tell them your problem (buyer returned item incomplete) and see if they can offer some help. Make sure you don't talk to an overseas agent. Usually if you ask for the appeals dept you will get someone in the states.

Eventually if things get ugly, I would politely clarify with the buyer that your offer for film was dependent on if the camera was in fact broken... in this case it isn't. Ebay will never make you shell out more money than the purchase price of the sold item for a buyer no matter the reason... even if the camera was in fact broken.

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Return shipping causes the seller to shell out more money than the purchase price(plus shipping) on a SNAD return.

[reallynicestamps]

Yes.

You may or may not get it back, but if he plans to neg you anyway, your request won't make any difference.

A professional photographer? Seriously?

Does that mean he has training and experience or just that he charges money to show up at the wedding?

[d-k_treasures]

The OP already got it back.

[bigdeals.etc]

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@d-k_treasureswrote:

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Return shipping causes the seller to shell out more money than the purchase price(plus shipping) on a SNAD return.

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Sorry I didn't consider return shipping costs. I was referring more so to like if their item damaged another item of theirs or regarding cost for repairs/cleaning. I.e. if they bought a nav system and the faulty nav made the buyer drive into a tree. You won't have to pay to repair their car.

[tofu107]

if you look at the case,afte tracking shows delivered,you have 3 days to refund,there is also an option where you can say something worng with the return,if so,choose that option and tell them it is incomplete return.

I did that once and Ebay sided with me,I dont remember if Ebay reimbursed him from its own coffer,but take a look .

[d-k_treasures]

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@bigdeals.etcwrote:

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@d-k_treasureswrote:

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Return shipping causes the seller to shell out more money than the purchase price(plus shipping) on a SNAD return.

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Sorry I didn't consider return shipping costs. I was referring more so to like if their item damaged another item of theirs or regarding cost for repairs/cleaning. I.e. if they bought a nav system and the faulty nav made the buyer drive into a tree. You won't have to pay to repair their car.

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Yet.

[tofu107]

if he is a professional,he could just be interested in your manual,but you are selling both in one listing,so his only option is to buy camera to get the manual.

[ericlovescameras]

do i contact the buyer or ebay first? i am a relatively inexperienced seller and this is my first ever problem with return process so i know nothing.

i’m obviously not sending him extra film. i’m mostly just hoping for my manual back and no negative. if i got to refund him minus shipping that would be terrific, but i figure that’s a long shot.

@reallynicestamps, he’s a published fine art photographer. his work is cringeworthy but i don’t want to distract too much from how i’m supposed to minimize my damages in handling the return.