Sold a launch edition PS3 with backwards compatibility. Everything went fine until the buyer claimed that the item does not match the description and wanted to return it (with me being responsible for the return shipping).
His reason for "not as described" was that he couldn't play USA region coded PS1/2 titles on it (only PS3 titles are region free), which is ridiculous because I had clearly stated in my listing that the console is an Asian model. He also didn't ask me about anything at all before he bid/won the console. The PS3 arrived in great condition (even the buyer admitted this), works perfectly, and is exactly as described, but he demanded it to do something not possible.
I don't mind accepting return but the buyer requests me to cover the shipping cost. The console only sold for $81 (+$13 shipping) and I paid $40+ alone for the shipping. I am not going to responsible for its way back. It seems obvious to me that he's abusing the buyer protection program to keep the console for free.
I called eBay but they ask me to communicate the buyer (which I have been) in the hope that I resolve the issue on my own; they don't see how futile it is. The only other options I have other than issuing a full or partial refund is to wait a few days and let eBay to step in. I have little faith in things ending in my favor. In which case I lose my money and the PS3, and will get a negative mark on my account.
I've never been this frustrated selling on eBay. Not only was I extremely nice to the buyer when he complained about the problem, I also paid more than the estimated shipping cost just to ensure the console arrive safely. It's insane that the buyer can just claim something out of the thin air and have it in his way.
