eBay

isa_bay · ‎06-08-2019

Here's a doozy: I'm Very Part time in this- I am selling off my grandmothers furniture and had a 'sell as lot' chunk of furniture (3 chairs and ottoman, 1 side table) from a reputed designer. I listed the one structural and the cosmetic flaws I noticed on the chairs. I listed for local pick up bc who wants to ship furniture and I wanted ppl to see it's condition. I listed 'perfect except for bla bla'. My bad. Now I know to list IN DETAIL and THOROUGHLY SEARCH the item for flaws. This buyer got a steal IMO for the lot, and shipped it himself across country. He received it and found flaws I hadn't seen. Now, he has requested a refund. Now, I told him in a message that I would grant the full refund, and would ship myself back the 2 items that weren't damaged. He could keep the 3 chairs and sell them (i KNOW they can sell, they are functioning and I hadn't even noticed the flaws). I thought this was generous, so he can recoup his shipping (which was his choice). He doesn't want to send anything back and is saying he is going to try to make me pay for the shipping there as well. This is impossible, no? I read 'if you use alternative shipping arrangements, the return charges are not guaranteed in ebay Money Back Guarantee refund'. Thoughts? Please, no lectures. I GET the mistakes I made and am just trying for both of us to break even and be disgruntled but no one out any money.

coco9619 · ‎06-08-2019

Simply tell your buyer to start a return request, and you'll issue a refund after their courier brings everything back to your doorstep per the definition of local pickup.

We have no bahamas today.

charity_scents · ‎06-09-2019

Agree with Coco9619. Think your buyer is just fishing for a partial refund and has no intention of shipping the items back. Ask the buyer to submit photographs each flaw he claims was not described, and to detail each flaw in writing. I believe that if you sold with Pickup Only, then it's the buyer's responsibility for inspecting the items before taking possession of them. If buyer has an assigned agent, then it is the agent's responsibility.
Buying with Local Pickup
Be sure to read the selling with local pickup link in that article too in order to protect yourself.

Did the buyer pick them up? Or did his arranged shipper? Do you have signed proof of collection of the items? Was it damaged in transit? Do you feel that you accurately described the flaws?

isa_bay · ‎06-09-2019

Thanks for a thoughtful response. Indeed I missed flaws (was selling furniture for my mother after her mothers death) and so some items were not as described. He sent photos and I believe it. He wants a full refund plus wants to keep one nom damaged item to sell to recoup his losses for the shipping, as he wouldn't have gotten shipping if he knew about the flaws. The nice thing to do would be to let him keep the item (I'm leaning this way) but I believe I could technically demand it back. I dont want to spend the money and ship everything back, its probably not worth it, so he will sell it off. It is his bad for buying shipping, and, he did not ask for photos that would've revealed the flaws (that i genuinely missed) but I feel bad about completely screwing him over for his hasty and trusting mistake in purchasing his own shipping (which he said he was going to try and get me to pay for if I didnt let him keep a non damaged item). So now, I will be the one screwed over.

@charity_scents wrote:
Agree with Coco9619. Think your buyer is just fishing for a partial refund and has no intention of shipping the items back. Ask the buyer to submit photographs each flaw he claims was not described, and to detail each flaw in writing. I believe that if you sold with Pickup Only, then it's the buyer's responsibility for inspecting the items before taking possession of them. If buyer has an assigned agent, then it is the agent's responsibility.
Buying with Local Pickup
Be sure to read the selling with local pickup link in that article too in order to protect yourself.

Did the buyer pick them up? Or did his arranged shipper? Do you have signed proof of collection of the items? Was it damaged in transit? Do you feel that you accurately described the flaws?

Anonymous · ‎06-10-2019

What kind of flaws did you miss, did he send pictures?
Looking at all your pictures and angles I can't see how you missed much that would have completely devalued a couple of dirty fabric pads over some iron rods.
I would rescind any offer you may have gave and do as the others say and only refund after "all" the items have been returned to you at his cost.

I also don't see him having any chance of winning a "not as described" because of the local pickup and is just bullying you because he was blinded by greed.