Ebay Buyer returns item after disassembley

htrj

Good morning,

Quite recently, I sold a set of hinges on ebay which were described as "Used" and also my written description was that I "would recommend refurbishment but they are pretty good really".

The buyer has received the goods and has decided that, after dismantling and reassembling them, they need more work than he had expected so he wants to return them to me. I have accepted the return, at his expense for postage, but I wonder if he or ebay could compensated me for the work the he has done to the items. For instance, the items were stiff to move when they were sent out and I am told they are now so free to move they are actually floppy. This is the result of his action and not as they were sold to him so could I have a case for compensation, through ebay, against this person?

KRDmum

I would not be accepting return if buyer had already 'worked' on the item. Don't think you'll get anywhere with compensation though.

htrj

Sadly i only found out about his fiddling after accepting the return, ill put that down to experience.

I do still wonder what eBay will make of a case if I do challenge him. There is an avenue for disputing claims that have not been returned in the same condition as when they were dispatched but I have never used it. Might be worthwhile for the experience alone.

KRDmum

Why don't you give eBay a call / get them to call you and ask for their advice?

htrj

Thats exactly what I will do when I have the things back in front of me and I know more clearly what has happened. I thought Id come on here first to see if there was anything you knowledgeable folks could bring to the table.

Thanks for the advice.

Flyonthewall

You won't get any compensation via ebay/Paypal and now you've agreed to the refund ebay aren't going to step in and stop that. You'll need to refund the buyer in full.

Normally items should be sent back the same as the buyer got them and you could try an appeal to ebay after the return case or take legal action if it's worth it. However, I might be wrong, but hasn't the buyer improved the item? They started work on it to refurbish it, it's all together in one, isn't it actually better now? Shouldn't hinges be able to move freely rather than be stiff?

Moogles44

I'm in similar situation. I accepted return on item of well known clothing and after I accepted return she said I've removed all the clothing labels - so now worth nothing . I'd already accepted return so she sent it back.
I rung ebay about it and they said wait another 4 days until it changes from refund buyer to dispute or ask ebay for help ( or whatever new button says ) pops up and challenge return. I am no waiting for this to pop up and buyer getting annoyed as I've told her. I'm going to get a negative anyway so nothing to lose on this one .

theonlywayisup

You do have more to lose, if you want to continue to sell, your dashboard is important. An unresolved case is much harsher than a resolved defect.

fred7777

htrj wrote: »

but I wonder if he or ebay could compensated me for the work the he has done to the items.

They "could". Ebay won't, you could ask the buyer, I would be fascinated to see what the response is.

You can try going to court but they will only award compensation for any losses, you sent some used hinges for which you recommended refurbishment. You got back some used hinges, unless they need more refurbishment you haven't lost anything.

By the way how much was the total sale for?