Do I legally have to Refund a seller??

dizzyrascal

soolin wrote: »

Such a shame that buyers have rights under UK law!

Seriously a lot of the changes have been due to legalities, sellers can no longer just refuse to pay up for missing parcels, or when they send a misdecribed item or the wrong thing entirely. Even though I am primarily a seller I still buy enough to welcome the shift towards buying safely and without risking your cash.

With all due respect though, you are speaking as a business seller.

One of the principle reasons behind this site is to help people make good financial decisions. On the Debt Free Wannabe Board posters are often advised to sell what they can on ebay to help them out of a financial mess.
It isn't helping people (that is individuals, not businesses) to give people the impression that they MUST accept refunds/returns etc which could ultimately leave them in a worse financial position. In other words, people who are already living on the financial edge, might find that they end up paying 2 lots of postage and possibly fees just because their buyer thinks they are a shop!

RFW

dizzyrascal wrote: »

With all due respect though, you are speaking as a business seller.

One of the principle reasons behind this site is to help people make good financial decisions. On the Debt Free Wannabe Board posters are often advised to sell what they can on ebay to help them out of a financial mess.
It isn't helping people (that is individuals, not businesses) to give people the impression that they MUST accept refunds/returns etc which could ultimately leave them in a worse financial position. In other words, people who are already living on the financial edge, might find that they end up paying 2 lots of postage and possibly fees just because their buyer thinks they are a shop!

On the other hand telling these same people that they can list an item as used and get away with selling anything is also unhelpful and not true. All sellers have responsibilities, selling new items or old, private or business.

Obviously it doesn't apply with the OP as the buyer paid cash and collected. If the sewing machine had been shipped and paid for with Paypal, there's a good chance that Paypal/Ebay would force a refund. If you insisted the seller continued to refuse they could find themselves without the funds and a sewing machine.

soolin

dizzyrascal wrote: »

With all due respect though, you are speaking as a business seller.

One of the principle reasons behind this site is to help people make good financial decisions. On the Debt Free Wannabe Board posters are often advised to sell what they can on ebay to help them out of a financial mess.
It isn't helping people (that is individuals, not businesses) to give people the impression that they MUST accept refunds/returns etc which could ultimately leave them in a worse financial position. In other words, people who are already living on the financial edge, might find that they end up paying 2 lots of postage and possibly fees just because their buyer thinks they are a shop!

Buyers still have rights wherever they buy from. A private seller cannot turn round and wash their hands of any issues if a buyer claims non receipt or item not as described.

The law is difficult to enforce, however on ebay it is easier as paypal get involved and assist a buyer. If buyers did not have rights we would not sell a thing.

dizzyrascal

soolin wrote: »

Buyers still have rights wherever they buy from. A private seller cannot turn round and wash their hands of any issues if a buyer claims non receipt or item not as described.

The law is difficult to enforce, however on ebay it is easier as paypal get involved and assist a buyer. If buyers did not have rights we would not sell a thing.

But this was not an ebay sale so their rules do not apply here.

Unfortunately, (and this is confirmed over and over again on this board), all ebay buyers have to do is claim an item is not as described or not received and they get all their money back. Ebay will not check the details and they pretty much always side with the buyer.
Hence the less than honest buyers are able to treat private sellers badly
From a personal point of view I have had more success and better buyers on preloved and Gumtree, and that includes posting items out.

techspec

Doesn't giving the buyer a receipt make this a business sale?

I would never dream of giving one for my own items.

dizzyrascal

techspec wrote: »

Doesn't giving the buyer a receipt make this a business sale?

I would never dream of giving one for my own items.

NO of course not!
It used to be something people did out of politeness, just to confirm that the sale had taken place. It's not a guarantee, it's just a receipt for the money.

Brooker_Dave

People confuse ebay/paypal law for real law...