Reporting ebay + traders

GDBD59

I recently bought a new electrical part for a car from a Business seller on ebay.
It was faulty.
To return it, one had to fill out a "return ticket", & in doing so had to agree to the return terms......" We accept returns on all unused items in their original packaging within 7 days of purchase. A refund will be made excluding all P&P costs."

Under Distance Selling Regulations, that's unlawful.

I had to go through ebay's process rigmarole, & got my money back. I've still got the faulty item, never heard anything since from the Seller.

The wording on the Seller's adverts remains unchanged. Some folk will be conned into returning items, & obviously the larger they are, the more it's going to cost those Buyers to return the item.

I'm really p**d-off at this. I've discovered that the Unlawful wording is used by a number of Sellers......maybe widespread..?

So without embroiling myself in a Crusading campaign, which body should I speak to?

RFW

GDBD59 wrote: »

So without embroiling myself in a Crusading campaign, which body should I speak to?

Trading Standards, local to you or local to the seller.

Unfortunately lots of companies, big and small, have terms that go against the law, all it does is negate their terms, although as you point out some people could take it as what they need to do.

Fortunately, sites like this are helping people be more informed as to their rights.

Mindless_Clone

Best would be trading standards local to them (you can get the business address from ebay - should be on the listing).

GDBD59

Ok, thanks.....what about ebay....if ebay got heavier, it should curb the trend?

RFW

GDBD59 wrote: »

Ok, thanks.....what about ebay....if ebay got heavier, it should curb the trend?

No harm in contacting them, but there's no way it will ever stop, that would mean Ebay checking every listing.

You only need to watch an episode of Watchdog to see all kinds of people breaking consumer laws and someone's got to keep Anne Robinson in face lifts;)

forgotmyname

I think it may kill ebay for business users though.

Knowing you could order something test it and return it, Totally free of charge.
May attract the scammers.

Especially if you sell parts to repair items.

soolin

forgotmyname wrote: »

I think it may kill ebay for business users though.

Knowing you could order something test it and return it, Totally free of charge.
May attract the scammers.

Especially if you sell parts to repair items.

If a business sells online then it doesn't matter where they sell, even through their own website, theyhave to abide with UK consumer laws.

So if UK laws mean sellers won't use ebay (and therefore the internet) it means we all go back to just selling locally where we can use good old fashioned cash face to face. Great for those of us who live in thriving areas, not so good for business sellers living out in the sticks.

Ebay is absolutely no different to any other online venue.

GDBD59

YoYoY wrote: »

Make a claim on ebay.
You will be asked to return the item using an online trackable postal method. (e.g. signature on delivery, etc)

You will then get a full refund of the original purchase price including any p+p originally charged. You have to fund the return postal cost.

To make absolutely clear....this issue is specifically if the item received is faulty. (which mine was)

If the Seller wants it back THEY have to pay the return costs.


So I was hoping someone could suggest a way to report ebay so that they would lay down the (correct) law to Sellers.

Crowqueen

Not really as eBay will disclaim responsibility for the actions of the sellers in question.

The seller themselves should be reported to their local Trading Standards.

RFW

forgotmyname wrote: »

I think it may kill ebay for business users though.

Knowing you could order something test it and return it, Totally free of charge.
May attract the scammers.

Especially if you sell parts to repair items.

One of the most successful companies in recent years used returns as part of their business model, this was in the US where consumer law is less strict, and with shoes, where you would expect to be 'scammed' - Zappos.

Fortunately the world isn't full of scammers, they're still very much in the minority.

Crowqueen

The DSRs are changing next year. They give some more ground to consumers, but give another raft of exceptions, e.g. due to hygiene.

However, change-of-mind returns are being extended to cover online auctions from business sellers as well as fixed price, and the default period for cancellation if a seller has illegal terms extends to a whole year.

These apply to all online sellers, on-eBay and off, so if you don't want people to 'scam' you, then don't sell online.