Potential Buyer Scam

[sternaholic03]

Recently I sold an item, my most expensive item I've ever sold, for $1,500. All seemed fine. The item had one flaw on it that was well described in the listing. Basically a part that broke off years ago but was glued back on and has been fine since. Wouldn't you know it, "during shipping", apparently, after 7 years of being glued on rock solid, the part broke, and now instead of simply gluing it back on himself, the buyer is implying that he wants a return. I wrote "NO RETURNS" on the listing just because of situations like this. Because I can sense something weird happening. I did not buy insurance on the package. I have not had ANY issue like this in my 16 years on eBay and of course this would happen now, with this rather pricey sale.

I personally believe this is might be a scam where the buyer just wanted to take a look, and is now using this "damage" to get the return. I am sick to my stomach over this thinking that now eBay is going to force me into paying return shipping, not to mention getting back a damaged item. What are my options? If this person paid $1,500 for something that he KNEW had this flaw on it and now cannot simply reglue the part back on himself, then I think its pretty clear what's going on and that is he just wasn't serious about the purchase from the start as described above.

Thanks.

[bonjourami]

The buyer has a legit complaint of not as described, and yes, Ebay will force it. Refund after return. your no returns policy means nothing with a snad complaint..which this buyer has. And no insurance? Thats on you.

[orangehound]

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@sternaholic03 wrote:

I personally believe this is might be a scam where the buyer just wanted to take a look, and is now using this "damage" to get the return. I am sick to my stomach over this thinking that now eBay is going to force me into paying return shipping, not to mention getting back a damaged item. What are my options? If this person paid $1,500 for something that he KNEW had this flaw on it and now cannot simply reglue the part back on himself, then I think its pretty clear what's going on and that is he just wasn't serious about the purchase from the start as described above.

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This is a legitimate Money Back Guarantee claim, and you are responsible for the cost of return shipping of this item (you are also responsible to refund the original shipping paid by the buyer).

Remember, there is no such thing on eBay as "As is, all sales final" ... if an item arrives in a condition that is not as described (in the sole opinion of the buyer), then the Money Back Guarantee can be activated for a full refund out of your pocket.

I know it must have been exciting to make this sale, and this return hurts.  But you simply need to approve the return and execute the refund (refund after receiving the belt back).

[lintbrush*]

Sorry to say this, but if the bar came off, the buyer likely has a leg to stand on. You said loose and re-secured in your listing.

I know you said it was a flaw, but it's more than that. It's damage & repair. That point should have been driven home - mentioned more than once and really highlighted in the photos (Your photos are super crisp & clear but I had to figure out which one showed the issue)

What does the non-damaged side look like? How was it attached? Was cement glue the right repair to make?

Would Millican make the repair when you get it back?

[sternaholic03]

I don’t know if I’m getting it back yet. Still hoping this doesn’t happen. Talking to the buyer now. Idk what more I needed to say in my listing. I wrote the truth about what happened and said it was glued well and never a problem for years. No it wasn’t repaired in the proper way of course. It was cement like super glue. But this was noted. Millican does not have any time for repairs. I once asked him. I’m still 90% convinced this was some sort of scam. This person paid a LARGE amount for this belt that he knew had a flaw. All it takes is some special super glue and a short period of time to repair it to exactly what it was. Bottom line is we need to not be naive here... the buyer was never serious about this huge purchase in the first place if something this simple to fix , something thy KNEW was a potential issue beforehand, is changing their mind. 

[soh.maryl]

Sorry, but there is nothing at all in the Money Back Guarantee that states a buyer is required to glue something back on if it was broken off when he received it.  

[sternaholic03]

Besides the point. The item was always going to look flawed. Whether it was glued by me or reglued by him for all of 20 minutes. Point is he was never super serious in my honest opinion. Take care everyone. 

[bonjourami]

The buyer may have thought since it broke off once, it will break off again..and wasnt interested in having to reglue the piece..I wouldnt have been either.

[beez5720]

Maybe he felt that, for his money, it should have arrived UNBROKEN.

[soh.maryl]

"Beside the point"?

I respectfully disagree with you.  It's exactly on the point.

Again, show me where eBay says a buyer can be required to repair an item that he expected to be intact.

[jeannicho22]

I'm seriously curious why you would think a buyer is a scammer because they expect to get an item in the same condition you described it to be in.   Accept the return and refund the buyer.

[atikovi]

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@sternaholic03 wrote:

 the buyer is implying that he wants a return.

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What do you mean by that? Do you think he understands how SNAD works or is it a newbie buyer who doesn't know how the system works? Maybe offer $300 off for the damage? If he says he doesn't want it anymore because he changed his mind, you won't be required to take it back.