£40 for a cage that lasted 4 weeks? Seller refusing a refund...

ladyg110

Hi everyone, i'm new, and could really use some help!
I bought a rat cage for my pet rat on ebay, which cost me £39.99 plus £7.95 P&P. The listing said it was suitable for rats.
I got it quickly and my rat was living it it less that 4 weeks when I noticed that she had managed to chew holes all over it, and could almost get out.
For anyone that has never kept rats, chewing is a very normal behaviour for them, and if a cage says it is suitable for them then I would expect that that would be taken in to account.
I contacted the seller explaining and asked if we could resolve the problem. She emailed me back saying that as the manufacturers had told her that they had not had any problems before with these cages that she could not help me.
I was obviously angry that I had paid £40 for it and my rat was only able to use it for (not even) 4 weeks. so started looking on the internet for advice and saw the 'SAD FART' section on here about rights ect.
I then emailed the seller again explaining that I was unhappy and drew her attention to the fact that anything she sells should be 'fit for purpose' and clearly the cage was not, and again asked her for a refund. She has not replied 5 days later.
So this evening I contacted ebay, who said they can't help because the damage happened 'over a period of time' and pay pal who said they can't open a claim because it has to be made within 45 days of the payment being made...
I have emailed the seller again to ask politely for a refund, and pointed out that I have not left her ebay feedback, and again asked for a refund because the cage was not fit for purpose.
I am really angry, because I feel like she has ignored me as she knew that once the 45 days was up that I would not be able to do anything!
Any idea what I can do?

Thanks!

4743hudsonj

Is she a business seller? If not you would need to demonstrate she is acting in the course of a business to get anywhere.

ladyg110

Actually it was fleas that were responsible - and all rodents can carry those.

However, nasty people have caused many major atrocities.

gravitytolls

Rats make lovely pets, they're very clean and sociable.

Anyhoo, I'd suggest you get her details, and tell her you will take her to the small claims court if necessary.

I agree she's ignoring you as 45 days have now passed.

You may be better posting this in the ebay forum, as there are lots of knowledgable people there who will be much better placed to give advice on an ebay seller.

ladyg110

4743hudsonj wrote: »

Is she a business seller? If not you would need to demonstrate she is acting in the course of a business to get anywhere.

I am not sure, do you know how I would check this? I think she is because she owns an ebay 'shop' and has lots of listing for pet goods - is there a way I could find out?

ladyg110

gravitytolls wrote: »

Rats make lovely pets, they're very clean and sociable.

Anyhoo, I'd suggest you get her details, and tell her you will take her to the small claims court if necessary.

I agree she's ignoring you as 45 days have now passed.

You may be better posting this in the ebay forum, as there are lots of knowledgable people there who will be much better placed to give advice on an ebay seller.

Nice to 'meet' a fellow person who appreciates what great pets rats make!

Thank you for your suggestion - I wasn't aware there was an ebay forum, i'll take a look for it now! Thank you!

RacyRed

The Ebay board is HERE

zenmaster

ladyg110 wrote: »

Actually it was fleas that were responsible - and all rodents can carry those.

However, nasty people have caused many major atrocities.

Am I missing something here?

I knew I shouldn't have gone straight to the pub after work.

unholyangel

zenmaster wrote: »

Am I missing something here?

I knew I shouldn't have gone straight to the pub after work.

I think a post about the plague was deleted? Although i'm guessing.

Enterprise_1701C

Have you got the manufacturer details? I know it is down to the retailer, but if they are being obstructive then the next stop is the manufacturer, and you need to check that they say it is suitable for rats anyway, if they do then they should deal with it if she is not, if they don't then she has lied.

maninthestreet

unholyangel wrote: »

I think a post about the plague was deleted? Although i'm guessing.

Maybe something along the lines of 'avoid this seller like the plague'???