Ebay Global Shiping Program: Item barrived with physical damage, can't test for functioning

[rattlit58]

Hi,

I've got a little problem with GSP (and never had problem with it before other than its overestimating VAT and duties), so I'm asking for some advice from you guys. I have not contacted seller or eBay yet as I'm not sure how to proceed from now on.

Background:

About two weeks ago, I bought a used Graphics Card from a seller in the US, who shipped it to my location via eBay's Global Shipping Program (International Priority). Majority of time, the tracking infor showed that it was shipped to ebay and sent to me through Fedex and its local associates.

Current Situation:

Unfortunately, when I received and opend the box, the graphic card's metal I/O shield (the part that you attach to your computer's case) was... bent. Take a look at the photographs. I mean, I probably can use a plier to move it back to original position, but I don't want to risk breaking it.

I haven't tested out whether the graphic card works the way it should, because...

The I/O shield (probably soft metal like brass or aluminium) is bent in such a way it is impossible to attach the graphic card to computer without taking off the bent piece of metal.

In order to test the graphic card, I would have to take off both the anti-static bag and the IO shield (both physically attached to the graphics card for now), and by doing so I might be denied of my claim for shipping damage and eBay could accuse me of tempering with the evidence.

The point is that it is clear that it received enough physical shock for the metal to bend, and there is a possibility that the graphics card may not work at all. And I cannot test it out without taking pliers and tools to it and thereby destroying the evidence of shipping damage.

I don't want to return it without testing it out for functioning because cost of international shipping with tracking is rather prohibitive.

What I want to know:

1. Should I contact the seller, or eBay, or perhaps both?

2. Should I test it out or just plainly return and get refund?

2. I probably have to contact them before testing it out, right?

3. If it turns out not working, how should I proceed from there on?

Thanks in advance!

__________

Edit 1: Forgot to attach photos. Here they are.

[mkaczorsee]

GSP generally repackages and it appears by your second photo it was poorly repacked. 

I would start by sending the seller a message with the photos and the above information. 

[dede394 · Accepted solution]

When an item is DAMAGED IN TRANSIT @rattlit58 the eBay Global Scamming Program will

1. pay you out of pocket the full refund of both of your payments, and

2. your seller keeps their payment as well;

the Program does not want the damaged item returned.

But you must start a return request. eBay insists that your first step is to contact the seller through the eBay Resolution Center:

1. Then, click SHOW MORE on the short list of reasons (to show more reasons), and select ARRIVED DAMAGED:

2. Click ADD PHOTOS to add your photos.

3. In the comment box, tell your seller that it (the seller) won't have to take a return, but it must contact eBay to alert that this a GSP case, not a federal case, and that GSP is taking responsibility for the DIT issue.

P.S. After you get your refunds, remove all of the retaining fasteners from the rear bracket on the GPU, then temporarily K-pop it (the GPU) in the PC to test it.

[rattlit58]

Update on Situation:

I've taken photographs of the damage on the box and the gpu, and decided to have the functionality checked out, as per recommendation from the seller and ebay customer service. I brought it to a local pc parts shop to test the card, where they removed their gpu and driver from and working pc and tested on it. The result was disappointing as expected; it didn't work. Sometimes it to pass Bios splash screen, but never manages to boot into windows.

I messaged the seller about the card not working and about going to resolution center so that Ebay can take care of the refund as you guys recommended.

However, the seller just refunded the item before I could open the case in the resolution center. The email I received from Paypal only says that the item payment was refunded in full - the shipping isn't, of course.

I contacted ebay customer service about the situation, but they only says that "Upon checking, I can see that your payment was fully refunded on December 9. You will receive the refund within the next 48 hours in your PayPal account." No mention of the shipping.

What should I do now?

[sweetstuffstore]

Upload the damaged pictures in a message to the seller. the seller needs to contact ebay and let them know a package was damaged using Global Shipping and eBay will cover you and the seller. 

[rattlit58]

Final Update:

I've contacted ebay after learning about the full refund from the seller,

and they assured me that the shipping would be refunded.

Although Paypal only mentioned refund for the item only,

I got refund for both the item and the shipping.

It would seem that either

A: ebay automatically refunds GSP if the seller refunds in full or

B: seller used the photographs I sent him while discussing the refund as evidence and claimed it for me.

So, anyway, case was solved without me going to resolution center.

Thanks for all the helps posted here.