eBay

sacrux · ‎12-16-2019

I never dealt with this before and this is the first place I turn to so I figured I would post this here.

Item purchased Oct 27th.
Item shipped Oct 28th.
Item delivered Oct 30th.
Buyer wants return Dec 16th.

Listing/item in question: https://www.ebay.com/itm/113930924879

They're claiming it doesn't record. I listed all the issues with it and it did in fact record before I sent it out. I tested all the faults on it and added them in the listing. 😕 .

I just checked paypal and there's a hold on the total amount + shipping.

I just have one of those feelings that it's not going to come back in its original condition if this comes down to a return.

What would you do? Any tips? Bend over and take it?

Thanks for any feedback.

nickelsanddimes2015 · ‎12-18-2019

It looks like they opened the case through ebay and you definitely hit decline and put your reasoning that the item was fully functional when shipped as proof with the video you had attached to the listing and that will close it down.

Now if they have a case through Paypal answer the dispute and copy and paste your listing showing that you listed all of the defects with the item and also upload the video you took that is attached to the listing and show that that was also included in the listing as well. Also put in there that it is ebay and your policy that the item is past the 30 day refund allowance but also explain to them that they opened the case through ebay and it was closed in your favor due to it being past the 30 day return period.

With Paypal you have to be as descriptive and thorough as possible and they will be on your side. With you submitting videos and your total complete listing description they will normally side with you. If they don't then appeal it and do it all over again for someone else to review.

extrac4 · ‎12-20-2019

its terribly common. Im just putting on my list of losses

Anonymous · ‎12-21-2019

I watched both your videos and neither show you using the record function. Did you in fact record with it? did you include the blank tape? if not, the buyer may have used a tape with the record defeat tabs removed as is the case with most pre-recorded cassettes.

Anonymous · ‎12-21-2019

I watched both your videos and neither show you using the record function. Did you in fact record with it? did you include the blank tape? if not, the buyer may have used a tape with the record defeat tabs removed as is the case with most pre-recorded cassettes.

sacrux · ‎12-21-2019

@Anonymous wrote:
I watched both your videos and neither show you using the record function. Did you in fact record with it? did you include the blank tape? if not, the buyer may have used a tape with the record defeat tabs removed as is the case with most pre-recorded cassettes.

I ended up doing the return and I get it monday (23rd of Dec). I'm going to film myself using the same tape I used when I tested it. I'm going to record myself (w/ my phone) opening the package they're sending it in and testing it. Will use that for my evidence if it does indeed record. If they broke it, then that will also show in the footage as I will examine the product.

I didn't film myself recording with it. Just recorded the playing function and the issue w/ the slow button. I wish I had filmed myself recording had I known I would be dealing with this **bleep** :(. Yep, I did test the recording function for around 1 minute and it worked, so I wrote it off that it worked. Maybe something happened between then and getting it to the customer, but I really doubt that.

Thank you for pointing the cassette thing out. That could be an option and I did put that into my "**bleep** is this happening to me" category of things that may be wrong. I'm putting this down as user error on their part. Either the cassette had issues, they used a cassette that wasn't compatible, or they failed somewhere with the mic/buttons.

They had 47 days to test it out. I'm not sure which of those days they actually tested it and how many. Could have been playing with it, broke it, and are now trying to screw me. Could be user error or maybe the post office was rough with it. I packaged it very well with bubble wrap and brown paper.

I will post the results here. I have 2 days to test it and proceed with the refund.

I'm thinking even if I film that it works, that I'm still going to get screwed. I'm not sure what happens in that situation. All I know is I'm out paypal/ebay fees and shipping x2 which will put me @ around a $25 loss. If they broke it then we're talking a bit more.

I was pondering canceling and going to paypal, but I just figured it would go there anyways. Maybe I will punch myself in the face for that in the end. I didn't have footage showing the record function working, so I didn't have much foundation to stand on since that was their only gripe. I also don't like the idea of a customer having something that didn't work in their possession that I sold them, potentially ruining somebodies present/xmas. 47 days is a while though.

Thank you all once again for the replies. Means a lot.

sacrux · ‎12-21-2019

@extrac4 wrote:
its terribly common. Im just putting on my list of losses

😞

Been reading SO MANY horror stories about returns. Sucks for me, but compared to others I got off easy as it's a small priced item. Been reading a few return stories of items totaling $1,000 - $4,000+. Very scary situation to be in as a seller.

Anonymous · ‎12-22-2019

@sacrux wrote:
I ended up doing the return and I get it monday (23rd of Dec). I'm going to film myself using the same tape I used when I tested it. I'm going to record myself (w/ my phone) opening the package they're sending it in and testing it. Will use that for my evidence if it does indeed record. If they broke it, then that will also show in the footage as I will examine the product.

Filming (recording) means nothing to eBay or PayPal nor Amazon or Etsy, even with the Pope as a witness. Items do break in the jostle of shipping which you have no control over but unfortunately are still responsible for. If you get your actual item back and is in working order, refund merrily, in fact, do a jig. Otherwise, reply back for more info.

sacrux · ‎12-23-2019

Just got it today.

A few scratches on it that were not there before, but the item records.

Seems they probably had it in the fast forward or reverse position when trying to record. It needs to be in the stopped position which is the default position. I'm not sure if it's like this for all cassette recording items, but it is with this one (made in 1992-1993).

It's not giving me an option to post the video in the return details area. Not giving a refund just yet. Waiting till tomorrow to ask ebay a few things.

All it says is "refund the buyer" and under that is "report problem" which gives the option "Buyer returned the item. There's an issue with the item and/or return reason." which lists "Disagree with reason provided".

Either way I'm **bleep**.

I'm really glad it's not broken. Don't think there's any recourse at this stage. They probably could have sent a weeks worth of turds in a box and I would still have to refund.

alseyf-73 · ‎12-23-2019

@sacrux wrote:
All it says is "refund the buyer" and under that is "report problem" which gives the option "Buyer returned the item. There's an issue with the item and/or return reason." which lists "Disagree with reason provided".

Can you post a screenshot of that?

sacrux · ‎12-24-2019

@alseyf-73 wrote:
@sacrux wrote:
All it says is "refund the buyer" and under that is "report problem" which gives the option "Buyer returned the item. There's an issue with the item and/or return reason." which lists "Disagree with reason provided".
Can you post a screenshot of that?

alwaysamazingbuys · ‎12-24-2019

I was under the impression that 30 days was the max. amount of time a buyer had to return an item?

Either way, I recently had a similar problem, but I accepted the return, and the buyer did not return the item. eBay closed the case on the buyer.

Days later the buyer apparently called their "bank" and the "bank" reversed the amount the buyer paid - it's called a chargeback. The buyer also kept the item. In addition, I was also charged $20 as a fee. I'm out $120.66.

Ever try calling PayPal - good luck. There was a 40 minute wait time when I called. More than likely, the person on the other end of the phone won't understand your problem anyhow because of language issues. I'm sure PayPal has outsourced those jobs just like eBay has outsourced jobs to other countries.

I say just give them the refund and let them keep the item, otherwise you'll end up having to pay return shipping on top of all the other money you've lost.

Anonymous · ‎12-24-2019

I guess I'm still confused about what kind of return this was, did you or eBay send the buyer a prepaid return label?
Either way, if they opened a defective item case with eBay or PayPal you should return the money today because on the 26th eBay will do it and you will get an unresolved defect on your account.
I've only had one hostile return and eBay refunded the buyer the minute tracking showed it was returned back to me, even before I got it out of my mailbox and saw it was a box of turds.
Maybe some others with more experience can chime in. I would still report the buyer for misuse of the MBG.

alseyf-73 · ‎12-24-2019

@Anonymous wrote:
I've only had one hostile return and eBay refunded the buyer the minute tracking showed it was returned back to me, even before I got it out of my mailbox and saw it was a box of turds.

When you dare eBay to steep in it because you can't resolve a return request on your own @Anonymous eBay will respond in kind and force a full refund a few seconds after tracking shows delivered.

sacrux · ‎12-24-2019

That was a quick phone call.

Basically, "tough luck muh focka! Should had messaged the buyer before your idiot azz accepted the return".

Anyways, I will message the buyer that they had a user error in regards to using a cassette recording device and in the future, probably stay away from them.

sacrux · ‎12-24-2019

@Anonymous wrote:
I guess I'm still confused about what kind of return this was, did you or eBay send the buyer a prepaid return label?
Either way, if they opened a defective item case with eBay or PayPal you should return the money today because on the 26th eBay will do it and you will get an unresolved defect on your account.
I've only had one hostile return and eBay refunded the buyer the minute tracking showed it was returned back to me, even before I got it out of my mailbox and saw it was a box of turds.
Maybe some others with more experience can chime in. I would still report the buyer for misuse of the MBG.

I did the refund. They give you the option to send the label of your choosing as you know and I think ebay will step in after a while if you don't act after accepting. Not sure, never had things taken that far. Hopefully never have to go through with this again.