Ebay Seller Problem

Miser_maz

I won an auction for an Xbox 360 from Ebay recently. I told the seller immediately after winning that I would forward the payment via Paypal shortly. The next day the seller emailed me saying he'd posted the item off and told me to get the payment sorted.

I was bit surprised why this person would post something so expensive without having yet recieved payment from me yet. I grew rather suspicious at this, and at his email's abrupt tone, so I held back from paying.

The following day I did indeed recieve the Xbox which had been described in the auction as in great condition. Far from it, it was scratched all over, the front was marked with a black permanent marker, the controller had buttons which did not funtion properly, possibly due to tea/ coke spillage, and the HDD cover was missing, none of these things were mentioned or even hinted at.

I emailed him back saying I'm not at all happy with the condition and want to return it and asked for his address, he has so far refused to provide his address, which ebay did not give me as a customer. The sellers emails have become increasingly menacing in the meantime.

Any advice how to handle this?

gavjbrown

Well if he doesnt pay you to return it and give an address theres not much you can do. Am I right in thinking you still haven't paid.

Miser_maz

gavjbrown wrote: »

Well if he doesnt pay you to return it and give an address theres not much you can do. Am I right in thinking you still haven't paid.

Yes I still have not paid, but I obviously dont fancy holding onto something not paid for. And his emails really are almost threatening.

firesidemaid

you could either try ebay live chat for help.

or, i'm wondering if you can still file for an item not as described, even when you haven't paid.

emerald_starcat

The worst he can do is open a payment not received dispute with ebay and you'll get a strike.

Is he a new seller? Maybe he doesn't realise how ebay works, as if you would send an item without getting paid first! He doesn't sound very clever!

EDIT: What is he actually threatening you for? Payment?

gavjbrown

Miser_maz wrote: »

Yes I still have not paid, but I obviously dont fancy holding onto something not paid for. And his emails really are almost threatening.

I know you don't want something you haven't paid for but if he doesn't give you his address threre's little you can do.

I guess there was no return address on the package.
Have you tried pulling his details on ebay, probably wont give you a full address but there will be his phone number if nothing else.

Miser_maz

Yes he's threatening for payment.
He only lives possibly 50 miles away!!!

gavjbrown

Miser_maz wrote: »

Yes he's threatening for payment.
He only lives possibly 50 miles away!!!

You could tell that this is his last chance to make payment and give his return address or you will block his email address and report him to ebay for the threatening emails. And maybe tell him that all emails have been saved and will be passed on to the police should they not stop.

Miser_maz

I'm getting more emboldened here!

As I'm going to be £20 down from postage, maybe I should demand that before posting it back to him?

emerald_starcat

Did he send the item tracked? If not there is no proof that you ever received the item.
What is he going to do, come round your house and demand payment - let's hope he does then you can give him the Xbox and tell him where he can stick it.
Doubt that will happen - just tell him that you don't want to pay for it as the item is not how it was described in the listing. Tell them you will be happy to send it back (tell him it will be at your own cost - make it sound like you are doing him a favour), and he can cancel the transaction and everyone will be happy.
Then you can leave negative feedback!
Anyway that is what I would do!

gavjbrown

Miser_maz wrote: »

I'm getting more emboldened here!

As I'm going to be £20 down from postage, maybe I should demand that before posting it back to him?

I wouldn't dream of sending it back without him paying first.