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eBay Buyer Demanding Full Refund
Calon_Lan
Posts: 14 Forumite
28 days ago, I sold my mobile phone on eBay due to receiving a new phone as part of my contract with O2. The transaction went smoothly and a week after the buyer received it, he left positive feedback saying we delivered the item quickly and the item was exactly as described. I presume he waited a week to leave feedback to assess the phone and check it for any damage/faults etc.
The phone is still under warranty until March 2015 and was listed as being is in immaculate, full working order - this being confirmed by the buyer upon leaving the feedback he did.
Today I receive a message from the buyer stating he no longer needs the iPhone as he's just received an iPhone 6. He claims the phone is still in the same condition as it was when he received it, so should be entitled to the full amount he paid for it.
I put the phone up on auction on a no-returns basis, as most people do, on the understanding that if an item is in full working order, with no damage or faults then they can't just return it demanding a full refund because they've had a change of heart a month after receiving it.
I read eBay's policy stating that a seller may have to accept a return and issue a refund if the item is not as described but I can't see any mention of the buyer just changing their mind.
For all I know he could have damaged it or anything could have happened to it in the 28 days he's been in possession of it. I'm a reasonable person, if there was a fault or I hadn't described the item accurately I would have happily offered a refund but this to me seems ridiculous. Even if you buy from a store, you don't always have a right to just return something 28 days after purchase because you don't want it anymore, especially if it's a used item.
Has anyone else had any experience of this? I read on a forum this morning that eBay has a habit of siding with the buyer in most instances which is a concern. I've raised a case with eBay explaining the situation awaiting a response, which could take some time.
I have set the money aside this morning just in case I do have to offer a refund. I have just paid the eBay sellers fees which came to £46.38 for that particular item, so there's a question mark over if I would still be liable for this cost if a refund is sent? If so, I definitely won't be using eBay again if I end up £46.38 out of pocket for selling a perfectly good item to people who can just change their minds when it suits them!
The phone is still under warranty until March 2015 and was listed as being is in immaculate, full working order - this being confirmed by the buyer upon leaving the feedback he did.
Today I receive a message from the buyer stating he no longer needs the iPhone as he's just received an iPhone 6. He claims the phone is still in the same condition as it was when he received it, so should be entitled to the full amount he paid for it.
I put the phone up on auction on a no-returns basis, as most people do, on the understanding that if an item is in full working order, with no damage or faults then they can't just return it demanding a full refund because they've had a change of heart a month after receiving it.
I read eBay's policy stating that a seller may have to accept a return and issue a refund if the item is not as described but I can't see any mention of the buyer just changing their mind.
For all I know he could have damaged it or anything could have happened to it in the 28 days he's been in possession of it. I'm a reasonable person, if there was a fault or I hadn't described the item accurately I would have happily offered a refund but this to me seems ridiculous. Even if you buy from a store, you don't always have a right to just return something 28 days after purchase because you don't want it anymore, especially if it's a used item.
Has anyone else had any experience of this? I read on a forum this morning that eBay has a habit of siding with the buyer in most instances which is a concern. I've raised a case with eBay explaining the situation awaiting a response, which could take some time.
I have set the money aside this morning just in case I do have to offer a refund. I have just paid the eBay sellers fees which came to £46.38 for that particular item, so there's a question mark over if I would still be liable for this cost if a refund is sent? If so, I definitely won't be using eBay again if I end up £46.38 out of pocket for selling a perfectly good item to people who can just change their minds when it suits them!
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Comments
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If you are a private seller, the buyer is not entitled to a change of mind refund.0
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Tell him as it was a private sale you are not obliged to accept it as a return. If he tries to raise a case saying its not as described, ensure you show eBay his feedback and communications which will prove he is lying.
If he no longer wants it he needs to sell it himself.
Why do I never get these types of buyers on my personal account?! I'd love to be able to tell them where to go
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Tell him as it was a private sale you are not obliged to accept it as a return. If he tries to raise a case saying its not as described, ensure you show eBay his feedback and communications which will prove he is lying.
If he no longer wants it he needs to sell it himself.
Why do I never get these types of buyers on my personal account?! I'd love to be able to tell them where to go
You can have my buyers!! I didn't realise I would encounter so many problems in such a short space of time. Only joined to sell off a few items before a house move to clear space and and raise some money in the process initially but it's been a complete hassle.
Thanks for your reply
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I do get my fair share of silly buyers but thats on the business account where I often have to bite my tongue. I would just love to be able to release some of the frustration on an unsuspecting chancer via my personal account.You can have my sellers!! I didn't realise I would encounter so many problems in such a short space of time. Only joined to sell off a few items before a house move to clear space and and raise some money in the process initially but it's been a complete hassle.
Thanks for your reply0 -
I do get my fair share of silly sellers but thats on the business account where I often have to bite my tongue. I would just love to be able to release some of the frustration on an unsuspecting chancer via my personal account.
I can imagine. Thanks for your help, I don't know if I'll hear back from eBay at all or the buyer I replied to him saying I'm not interested in buying the item back from him but he should consider relisting it as it's now his property.
Fun times.0 -
If he sent the message you described over eBay messages then you're well covered if he becomes difficult as he's already shot himself in the foot by admitting that it's in perfect condition, there's nothing wrong with it, and he just doesn't want it any more.
There are some people with very odd perceptions of what "buying" entails out there! :rotfl:• The rich buy assets.
• The poor only have expenses.
• The middle class buy liabilities they think are assets.
Robert T. Kiyosaki0 -
If he sent the message you described over eBay messages then you're well covered if he becomes difficult as he's already shot himself in the foot by admitting that it's in perfect condition, there's nothing wrong with it, and he just doesn't want it any more.
There are some people with very odd perceptions of what "buying" entails out there! :rotfl:
Yes, I received the message via eBay messages, it came through as a copy to my email account but was originally posted on eBay under the 'returns' category.
I've not been on eBay long so this has been quite daunting. I sent a polite diplomatic reply, not heard anything back yet from him or eBay but I feel more confident now I've had feedback on here, so thank you!0 -
Hi everyone I've received replies from both the buyer and eBay so thought I'd give you the outcome as you kindly helped me out with advice.
eBay contacted me first advising that the buyer is not entitled to ask for a refund for an item they have specified is in great condition and in full working order as described. They said the buyer has actually broken the rules by trying to 're-sell' the item back to me without listing it as an aution/item for sale on eBay.
The buyer contacted me and stated he has received a message from eBay saying he is unable to re-sell the item to me over their messaging service, so have been told to list it as a valid auction or buy it now item and follow the rules. He said he was unaware he wasn't able to return the item just because he changed his mind.
So all is well and thankfully it didn't get too ridiculous.0
This discussion has been closed.
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