eBay Private Seller stating "No Returns"

Undervalued

I recently bought a secondhand item of equipment on eBay as a "buy it now" from a private seller with only a few transactions.

The item is not faulty but it is unsuitable for my intended purpose due to an incompatibility issue. Basically, it is only compatible with very early models of device I wanted to use it with and not with the majority of the range (like mine). The description did not make this clear, simply saying compatible with XXX.

Whilst I feel partly responsible, as I could have established this with some detailed research online before purchase, subsequent correspondence with the seller suggests they were well aware of issue.

If I return the item and ask for a refund will eBay back me up if this is not forthcoming? Who would be responsible for the postage costs both ways and would I need to send it "signed for".

I'd be most grateful for any advice.

theonlywayisup

If the listing said it was compatible with XXX is your model XXX or is yours XXY?

glentoran99

Undervalued wrote: »

I recently bought a secondhand item of equipment on eBay as a "buy it now" from a private seller with only a few transactions.

The item is not faulty but it is unsuitable for my intended purpose due to an incompatibility issue. Basically, it is only compatible with very early models of device I wanted to use it with and not with the majority of the range (like mine). The description did not make this clear, simply saying compatible with XXX.

Whilst I feel partly responsible, as I could have established this with some detailed research online before purchase, subsequent correspondence with the seller suggests they were well aware of issue.

If I return the item and ask for a refund will eBay back me up if this is not forthcoming? Who would be responsible for the postage costs both ways and would I need to send it "signed for".

I'd be most grateful for any advice.

If the item was as described then no you cant force them to take it back

Undervalued

theonlywayisup wrote: »

If the listing said it was compatible with XXX is your model XXX or is yours XXY?

The listing simply said XXX implying the whole range.

Mine is an XXX 500 (for example) where this device only works with and XXX 100 and XXX 200 and not any later model.

I do have access to an XXX 100 so was able to prove the item wasn't faulty but that is of no use to me.

Undervalued

glentoran99 wrote: »

If the item was as described then no you cant force them to take it back

I understand that but what I'm trying to establish is if the vague description meets that requirement or not.

theonlywayisup

Undervalued wrote: »

The listing simply said XXX implying the whole range.

Mine is an XXX 500 (for example) where this device only works with and XXX 100 and XXX 200 and not any later model.

I do have access to an XXX 100 so was able to prove the item wasn't faulty but that is of no use to me.

If the item was only described as being compatible with XXX and if your model (and any other model) had a suffix i.e. as in this case, XXX 500, then I would suggest you should have asked before purchase.

It is not the sellers fault, despite what you think they may be 'aware of the issue'. They haven't misdescribed it and it isn't faulty (by your own admission) why therefore should the seller lose out?

Resell it. Be clear which particular model of XXX it is compatible with.

PDC

If the item said no returns and works but doesn't suit your needs then I would think you would be better selling it on yourself than trying to return it to a seller who doesn't take returns.

theonlywayisup

Undervalued wrote: »

I understand that but what I'm trying to establish is if the vague description meets that requirement or not.

A vague description is not a SNAD. It is vague, therefore by default, something which requires further enquiry.

Undervalued

PDC wrote: »

If the item said no returns and works but doesn't suit your needs then I would think you would be better selling it on yourself than trying to return it to a seller who doesn't take returns.

I take on board both this and the previous posters point as there could be quite a bit of hassle involved so may well not be worth the effort.

In any case I would contact the seller first and directly raise the possibility of returning the item under the circumstances and see what they say. I'm simply trying to establish whether eBay would back me up if I ran into any problems. That might influence what I write to the seller.

theonlywayisup

Undervalued wrote: »

I take on board both this and the previous posters point as there could be quite a bit of hassle involved so may well not be worth the effort.

In any case I would contact the seller first and directly raise the possibility of returning the item under the circumstances and see what they say. I'm simply trying to establish whether eBay would back me up if I ran into any problems. That might influence what I write to the seller.

What problems do you envisage? They stated no returns and it is working, it is as described.

Undervalued

theonlywayisup wrote: »

What problems do you envisage? They stated no returns and it is working, it is as described.

If, for example, the seller offers to take it back after I contact them then either refuses delivery or fails to refund.