Ebay problem. Item not as described.

itsmeagain

I bid on ebay and won an inflatable dinghy last week. The listing said what was wrong with it but further discussions prior to collection have uncovered previously undisclosed issues with the boat. This includes no pump, valve missing on inflatable keel, no top ropes, no ID plates. All these items are part of a fully functional new boat but not mentioned as missing in the listing. I have therefore told the seller that i will not be purchasing. He has responded saying that he will notify ebay if i don't pay within 7 days.
I have tried to fill in forms on ebay to complain that the item is not properly described, but the path of questions ask about how ive paid and assume i recieved it etc. There appears to be no path where i can state that i haven't collected, will not collect, and will not pay because i have found that the item is not as described. Any ideas please?

frivolous_fay

Hm. If something isn't mentioned in the listing, it's best to assume it's not included, not expect them to mentioned if they're NOT there.

You say they would be included with a new boat... but you don't say it was new.

Smart_But_Casual

Should have had the good sense to ask the questions before bidding IMHO.

itsmeagain

frivolous_fay wrote: »

Hm. If something isn't mentioned in the listing, it's best to assume it's not included, not expect them to mentioned if they're NOT there.

You say they would be included with a new boat... but you don't say it was new.

If i was selling a car i would not list the 1001 items that are in the spec of the original car and automatically included. If it had some sort of deviation from specification i would list it. Eg; missing broken radio, missing parcel shelf, broken window, punctured tyre.

The pump is standard and required for the operation of the boat, a valve in the keel is required and the plate is similar to a VIN or engine number on a car.

itsmeagain

Smart_But_Casual wrote: »

Should have had the good sense to ask the questions before bidding IMHO.

I did ask if the boat was complete and fully operational. When i won i rechecked asking for more detail because collection would have been a 300 mile round trip. It was only then that the issues were disclosed.

itsmeagain

Rather than opinions on what i should have assumed or done prior to bidding, does anyone know the process i should go through now it has happenned.

frivolous_fay

You haven't paid, you don't have it, so strictly speaking you don't qualify for a SNAD dispute.

itsmeagain

I have managed to log a complaint. Here it is. I'll let you know what happens...

Payment Method: Other Payment (specify below)
Date of Payment: 05/01/09
Seller Contact: Yes, but the issue is unresolved

Customer concern: Please note that the payment date is incorrect but i had to
fill one in! I have not paid for this item yet because it was listed as 'cash on
collection'. The listing is for a inflatable dinghy and mentions what is wrong
or missing from it.
I have since discovered that there are further undisclosed items missing and
broken that make the boat not as functional and safe as the item describes. The
listing states that its stays fully inflated for weeks. However i now know that
(1) it doesn't have a keel valve so you cannot inflate the keel. This is
required for normal safe operation of the boat. (2) it doesn't have the pump
(which is in the original boat specification) and is like not having a plug on a
kettle. (3) Does not have the top safety/grab rope required for side boys. (4)
Does not have a build plate and serial number which is like having a VIN number
missing on a car. Some moorings and insurance will not permit without these. (5)
The missing numbers would also be able to confirm the claimed year of
manufacture but are not available. (6) Does not have the original fuel tank
restraint strap (very dangerous). All these items significantly reduce the
performance and safety of the boat and make a big difference to its value.
I have discussed this with the seller (see ebay emails), and the seller now says
he will file an unpaid item dispute in 7 days. Can you please sort this out with
the seller. The listing and emails are all on ebay for you to see and confirm
the info i have written is correct. Thanks.

jasmineswhiskers

Must say I disagree with posts 2 & 3. Missing elements should be pointed out. As the op says - if you were buying a car you waouldn't ask 'does it have 4 wheels, does it have an engine, does it have a steering wheel, does it have a gear lever, does it have an accelerator peddle etc etc. (I use this analogy as I don't know much about boats). As for paying I guess you just don't. Inevitably you will end up with a strike though. I don't think there is any other way around this. Perhaps if you contact Ebay and explain the situation they may be able to help.

crankup

There's too many chancers on Fleabay being economical with the descriptions. Better to take a strike than to have a partial boat with no Id plate in your possession (Ello Ello Ello, What's all this then?!!!).

Is the seller a busy trader? Are they paying taxes on their profits?
Selling a boat without its ID plate on the quiet? Maybe they'll choose not to mark your card to ensure the interested authorities arent enlightened :whistle:
Its certainly not your fault, but at least you found out on the right side of the deal.

pinkshoes

itsmeagain wrote: »

I have managed to log a complaint. Here it is. I'll let you know what happens...

Payment Method: Other Payment (specify below)
Date of Payment: 05/01/09
Seller Contact: Yes, but the issue is unresolved

Customer concern: Please note that the payment date is incorrect but i had to
fill one in! I have not paid for this item yet because it was listed as 'cash on
collection'. The listing is for a inflatable dinghy and mentions what is wrong
or missing from it.
I have since discovered that there are further undisclosed items missing and
broken that make the boat not as functional and safe as the item describes. The
listing states that its stays fully inflated for weeks. However i now know that
(1) it doesn't have a keel valve so you cannot inflate the keel. This is
required for normal safe operation of the boat. (2) it doesn't have the pump
(which is in the original boat specification) and is like not having a plug on a
kettle. (3) Does not have the top safety/grab rope required for side boys. (4)
Does not have a build plate and serial number which is like having a VIN number
missing on a car. Some moorings and insurance will not permit without these. (5)
The missing numbers would also be able to confirm the claimed year of
manufacture but are not available. (6) Does not have the original fuel tank
restraint strap (very dangerous). All these items significantly reduce the
performance and safety of the boat and make a big difference to its value.
I have discussed this with the seller (see ebay emails), and the seller now says
he will file an unpaid item dispute in 7 days. Can you please sort this out with
the seller. The listing and emails are all on ebay for you to see and confirm
the info i have written is correct. Thanks.

You're assuming here that Paypal have common sense... so I'm thinking the above won't actually get you anywhere as they probably won't bother reading it. The seller will open a "non paying bidder" dispute, Paypal will note that you haven't paid, and you'll end up with a strike for not paying. I KNOW it says pay upon collection, but Paypal won't see it this way.

Possibly the best thing you can do is pay via paypal, then tell the guy to send the boat by trackable method (which they won't do if it's collection only). You can then open up an "item not received" dispute, you'll get your money back, and he'll get the strike. Not very nice way to do business, but if he's going to report you for not paying on a cash only collection, then he doesn't sound like a nice seller.

Could you not ask for a mutual agreement to cancel sale?