I recently sold a pocket watch in working condition. I have sold many pocket watches and I have never sold one that wasn't running, unless it was a parts watch and then I clearly stated it wasn't. The Buyer obviously had no experience with winding or maintaining a pocket watch from emails we exchanged after the sale. He returned it, saying it was damaged. eBay started the Return Process without my consent. When I got the watch, the stem was slightly bent and the watch was frozen. Before I had time to open the box and inspect it, eBay issued a refund to the Buyer and closed the case. I appealed their decision. eBay said they can't determine the condition and said, "however; the item is as described when returned to you. " I'm not sure what that means but I think eBay is saying the watch is in the same condition as when I sold it-which it's not. They also said, "I suggest you to offer Free Returns as your return policy. " That's going to help me in the future when someone damages an item and returns it?? And eBay is still instantly going to give them a full Refund!!??? Sadly; pathetically, I'll continue to sell on eBay because they do reach bigger audience than the small town I live in. I have stopped buying for resale, though, and will be happy when I have reduced my inventory to the point where I no longer feel I have to sell things on eBay. I am a Top Seller with 9228 positive feed backs but I've had it with eBay's anti-seller policies and increasingly higher fees.
