eBay purchase arrived damaged. How exposed am I?

I_have_spoken

>Follow Ebay's instructions and return the item using the label they have provided.>

This. Ebay's system are now well integrated into the carrier's and their systems will pick-up the item has been handed to the courier IF you use the label they provided.

bluep

Thanks guys. This was eBay's instructions - they said that the seller can now not update his address and the only way to send it to the addressing for me to still be covered is that he wants is for him to provide a prepaid label. eBay haven't sent me the label yet so I'm not subverting their process and even if he did send through his own label now I would triple check with eBay that I was still covered before using that.

He is in the legal business from his Facebook profile so IF the camera goes missing and he ends up £600 down then I want to have a lovely paper trail that shows I have been reasonable and followed the right process incase I end up in small claims court.

Hopefully eBay's label will arrive soon - they said today but nothing has come through.

theonlywayisup

Just be mindful that eBay reps will tell you all sorts of things just to get you off the phone/chat.

You should use the eBay label if they issue one.

This is all far much easier than small claims, which won't guarantee your money back even if you win.

bluep

Ok thanks - I hadn't realised eBay reps weren't reliable. I will chase a label from them today. I fully intend to get my refund from eBay not go to small claims court but I suspect that if eBay were to give me a refund AND the seller didn't get his camera back due to the address issue (someone else signing for it etc...), that he wouldnt leave the matter there.

Enterprise_1701C

I am not an ebayer, I avoid selling on ebay but I do buy from there.

I just thought I would say that if I tried to return something to someone and it was undelivered and returned to me, AFTER getting the refund I would do as someone said previously and send them a message, more likely a recorded delivery letter, possibly to both addresses in this instance, stating that they had 30 days to either have it picked up or to provide an appropriate pre-paid label for delivery, and state in the letter that if it neither is done then the item will be disposed of.

At that point it will then be yours to dispose of as you will, or otherwise.

theonlywayisup

bluep wrote: »

Ok thanks - I hadn't realised eBay reps weren't reliable. I will chase a label from them today. I fully intend to get my refund from eBay not go to small claims court but I suspect that if eBay were to give me a refund AND the seller didn't get his camera back due to the address issue (someone else signing for it etc...), that he wouldnt leave the matter there.

The address issue was caused by him.

bluep

I'm still struggling to get this one resolved.

eBay suspended the case for 5 days (in order to contact the seller and clarify the address issue). He did not send a prepaid label. eBay won't issue a prepaid label either due to the address issue. This was a week ago.

I've spoken to customer services twice over the last three days -first agent said the case was being closed in my favour and a refund within 48 hours and then I can liaise independently with the seller to arrange return. Second agent (2 days later) says it's not closed but is likely to be closed in my favour and a refund within 3-5 days. Feels like I can't believe what any of them say!

Meanwhile, seller is sending increasingly strong emails saying the delay in return means he is unable to claim from the courier and I have therefore caused him financial loss. I've not responded at the moment but as I've said before, the way they are worded sounds like a noddy attempt to "record" things in case he wanted to go to small claims court.

jpsartre

bluep wrote: »

Meanwhile, seller is sending increasingly strong emails saying the delay in return means he is unable to claim from the courier and I have therefore caused him financial loss.

If the case is dragging out because the seller didn't have the correct address on file with Ebay that's hardly your fault.

bluep

None of it is my fault - I'm following eBay's protocol exactly. As it happens, the refund has just come through. Going to now give him 30 days to arrange collection or prepaid return delivery if he wants it back.

theonlywayisup

bluep wrote: »

None of it is my fault - I'm following eBay's protocol exactly. As it happens, the refund has just come through. Going to now give him 30 days to arrange collection or prepaid return delivery if he wants it back.

Perfect.

Do not get into any conversation about the whys and wherefores with him. Just issue the notice that he has 30 days to supply a prepaid label for you to return it or that you will make it available for collection at a time that suits you.