Buyer wants a refund......What shall I do?

lazymoezy

I sold a phone on eBay (before you start it was brand new!), It was sealed when I got it, so I broke the seal and tested it out, all perfect, I sold it on eBay for a decent price. No, heres the problem, the day after I sent the phone off via special delivery I asked the seller if he was happy with it.....I got a response last night, over a weeks later saying the on/off button is sticking and doesnt worki properly.

I personally tested the phone, I turned it on with my sim in it to see how it worked, it was all perfect. The buyer isnt having any of it and said he is sending it back to me and the fact that he studies Law and a few other subject he isnt a conn artist....that part made me laugh.

He said he wants a refund ex. P&P costs, should I accept the offer?

Let me know because I know im not in the wrong but I dont one to go through one of them disputes,

Thanks,

MoE

Hintza

Get it back and test it. You of course kept a note of the IMEI number? Then decide.

lazymoezy

I keep a note on all IMEI numbers now. Say if what he says is correct? He could have easily damaged it himself and is looking for a cheap way out. I know for a fact I sent it off in good working order, it had plastic seals on screen and everything, even the picture shows this on my listing.

Also, I put all the money in my bank account, and the bank account only has about £100 or so in it atm, I use this account mainly for eBay. Say if I was to refund him out of good will, do you reckon I should sell it again on eBay and use that money to refund him? he will have to wait a mininum of 3 days before a refund that way but maybe I could get him to agree.

I dont know what to do

kevinyork

The fault could have occured in the few days he has had the phone, not impossible.

I think even if you test it on return and find it not to be faulty you are on a sticky wicket...its his word against yours. If he is going to send it back at his cost, and you can refund less the P&P then accept that to get him out of your hair.

I wouldnt mention a slight delay in getting a refund to him if its only going to be a few days. Did he pay by cheque then? If it was Paypal you would be better refunding via Paypal to get your Paypal fees back.

This is unfortunately a downside of eBay selling and just something you have to put up with.

lazymoezy

I sent him an email yesterday stating that I would accept a refund minus P&P charges for both ways, he did accept that in the beginning.....I dont currently have the money in my account so IF he does send the phone back and it does have a fault then I will sell it again on ebay (obviously stating the fault) and use the money from there to refund him.

He either waits for 3-5 days for a refund or a week to get money into my account.

MoE

smartie1976

Unfortunately you DO have to refund upon receipt of the phone.
You can't make the buyer wait. He'll start a NPS against you as well.

You should know this by now MOE!

rose_sparky

I find it strange that he's stating the phone is faulty and yet prepared to pay p&p for its return.

If that was me I wouldn't want to be out of pocket for a faulty item.

steve1905

lazymoezy wrote:

I sent him an email yesterday stating that I would accept a refund minus P&P charges for both ways, he did accept that in the beginning.....I dont currently have the money in my account so IF he does send the phone back and it does have a fault then I will sell it again on ebay (obviously stating the fault) and use the money from there to refund him.

He either waits for 3-5 days for a refund or a week to get money into my account.

MoE

If the phone is returned to you with the stated fault and you then try to resell on ebay, the likely selling price is going to be well down on what you would hope.
Could you not, return the phone to where you purchased it and state the fault.

bev_b_4

as Rose said it is strange he is willing to pay p&p if it is faulty, have you mentioned you will be checking IMEI numbers and expect it to be returned in the same condition with the screen protection seal etc? If he is trying it on he may back down.

lazymoezy

I said all that and the phone is the real one. However, as soon as I received it this morning I tried turning it on and the phone wont turn on!!!!

He said the on/off button was sticky....the button is fine, the phone is the problem here. It doesnt even turn on....it charges fine now, i left it on charge however when I try holding the on/off button nothing happens.

I AM DEFIENTLY NOT REFUNDING HIM, HE STATES ONE PROBLEM AND THERES ANOTHER, HIS EMAILS WILL BACK ME UP ON THIS.

I bought it off someone and sold it on ebay, I will let the guy who I bought it off in the first place know and see what he will do.

Out of goodwill I was going to refund him if the button was sticky like he said but now its not turning on and he htink he can get away with it.

What can I do?

MoE

peter_the_piper

Whether or not its the same fault he complained of, the net result is the phone is faulty therefore you have to refund him. Its not as described ie working. Its not his problem, unfortunately its yours.