Buyer has broken item - help!

abijanzo

I sold an electrical beauty item as used on ebay and the buyer then contacted me to say they wanted a refund as they had expected it to be 'as new' and it had a gel foot missing from the bottom. It also had a tiny scratch of paint missing.

I had not noticed any scratches when I sent it, and assumed the gel pad had fallen off in the packaging so gave the buyer the benefit of the doubt and said I would refund upon inspecting the item on receipt.

I got it back today and the packaging has been ripped...(there was a pubic hair stuck to it too - how gross?!) but worse than that upon testing it, it doesnt work now!

It was tested and working before I sent it to him and was packaged incredibly carefully by myself.

What do I do? He has either broken it himself or it has broken on the way back to me (it wasnt protected on all sides when it came back).

ANy help or similar experiences appreciated.
I have a sinking feeling I am going to end up refunding for an item the buyer has broken and tried to disguise the fact

forgotmyname

Sadly it does look like you will have to refund them, Quite possible it died and was not broken by them.

Proving it and claiming your money back would be more hassle then its worth, To me anyway.

I sold a car many years ago, The week before we had covered over 1000 miles whilst on holiday in it, Guy buys
it and 2 weeks later the gearbox seizes. He bought a 2nd hand box and i fitted it for him.

Problem with selling on ebay, Buyer files a dispute item faulty and they send it back they will get refunded.
If you can prove they damaged it then you can try the small claims.

themull1

They have returned it, you will have to refund the money.

stone7

Has the item been returned by a trackable service? (Did you sign for it upon it's return?)

Percy1983

Is there any serial numbers etc, sounds like you may have got a different item back to what was sent.

KingElvis

Ewwww there were pubes on it? grossarama

pinkshoes

As above, are you 100% sure that it's the same item that has been returned? They could already have a broken version, so have just swapped them.

You'll probably have to refund them, so if they leave a neg, make sure you respond it it letting other buyers know the "used" condition it was returned in!

KingElvis

But pubes? I sure hope you're not thinking of "reusing" it.

Myyrrddyn

I mark all my electrical's with ultra violet pen and put a slip in the package to the buyer. Surprising how my electrical returns started to decrease. I know that this does't help you but at one tome or another most sellers come across more than one rotten apple in the barrel. If packaging was damaged you could possibly claim from the post office as long as you have the packaging and take photos of it.

mobile48

A gel foot was missing

Item had scratches and pubes on.

It no longer works.

Perhaps it fell and burnt the buyer somewhere personal.

Not surprised they wanted a refund.

Hammyman

Myyrrddyn wrote: »

I mark all my electrical's with ultra violet pen and put a slip in the package to the buyer. Surprising how my electrical returns started to decrease.

I put the serial number on every invoice that goes with an item. I noticed a similar drop off.