eBay

photofoolery · ‎06-17-2019

Buyer purchased new-in-box electronic item (new but purchased several years ago and never opened) and returned as defective. Positive feedback from buyer was left initially then he opened a return a few days later stating it didn't work after a few days. Return automatically approved by ebay and purchaser was issued a label and returned the item.

Upon receipt today, it's working fine. I'll leave it plugged in for a few days and see if the buyer's stated problem is duplicated. And I'll refund because I really don't have a choice as far as I can determine. It just seems to me if it was making terrible noises for the buyer after a few days that it would still be doing it now but it's working flawlessly.

My question is, if it works with no issues for me after several days, should the buyer be reported? I've never done this so I don't even know what comes up when the report buyer button is selected. The buyer has good feedback and I have no issue with him other than I'm wondering if it was a remorse purchase returned as defective in order for him to avoid paying return postage back and recouping the postage he paid to have it delivered to him in the first place.

My reasoning is if someone has a habit of doing this, ebay has a record of how many times a particular buyer is doing it. If they even care that is.

designforyou · ‎06-17-2019

Yes, file an abuse report of the MBG. You could also call EBAY, and ask for your shipping to be refunded, as the item is working perfectly, but most likely nothing will be done. Your word vs buyer's word, and EBAY typically sides with the buyer.

photofoolery · ‎06-17-2019

That's what I thought, that nothing would most likely be done. I'll give it about three days and if it's still working fine like I suspect it will be then I'll file an abuse. I'd call as long as ebay doesn't see it as a defect for just inquiring or questioning it. Postage costs for me both ways nearly equal the price paid for the item, so that's about $16 gone for nothing.

orangehound · ‎06-17-2019

@photofoolery wrote:

My reasoning is if someone has a habit of doing this, ebay has a record of how many times a particular buyer is doing it. If they even care that is.

Exactly.

photofoolery · ‎06-17-2019

Should I add a comment to the glowing feedback I left the buyer before the return was opened, something as simple as this?

Return received 6/17/19, refund issued.

designforyou · ‎06-19-2019

If you plan on reselling it, then no I would not mention a return in a response to feedback.

photofoolery · ‎06-19-2019

I reported the buyer and just let things stay as they were and not add to the feedback. But you bring up a good point too. It was working perfectly when I got it back and it's still working as it should after being on since Monday. I'll probably resell it eventually.

kensgiftshop · ‎06-19-2019

@photofoolery wrote:
I reported the buyer and just let things stay as they were and not add to the feedback. But you bring up a good point too. It was working perfectly when I got it back and it's still working as it should after being on since Monday. I'll probably resell it eventually.

Could be that the buyer didn't know how to use it correctly and thought it didn't work right.

I sold a new pair of hair clippers a few years ago, buyer said they wouldn't work right and the battery didn't last long.

All it was, was the length adjustment lever got moved during shipping causing the head to be in a bind.

Moved the lever and it it worked fine and been using it for a few years now.

Sometimes it's little things and buyer can't figure it out.

Have a great day.

photofoolery · ‎06-20-2019

@kensgiftshop

Not in this case, it's pretty much plug and play. And that's all I had to do (plug it in) when I got it back. It's still working fine since Monday. Plus he said it worked good at first so he had it working ok. If I decide to keep this instead of relisting it I'm sure I'll get years of use out of it too, like you have with your return.

I can imagine there are many instances like yours where it is a case of someone not knowing how to use something correctly. Glad that worked out for you.