A little advice from anyone experienced? Item not as described

Iggy1313

Hi all,

I bid on and won a guitar hero controller from eBay before Easter to give to my son at the end of his treasure hunt, he has one controller but the family were coming over so bought a couple of games and second controller he’s been wanting so we could do two player.

I paid quite a lot considering it’s sevond hand and with a good few scrapes, 43 quid.

The guitar was listed as being in perfect working order

I stupidly didn’t test it

On Easter Sunday the inevitable, it wouldn’t work at all, an hour of fiddling and it seems the battery compartment has a loose connection (it had old manky batteries in) as if you push batteries a certain way it would work for around 5 minutes if you kept very still before cutting out again. Also the strum mechanism was stiff and squeaky and wouldn’t work at all on down stroke so unable to scroll through menus or play the game properly.

I messaged the guy explaining and after he told me it was in perfect working order just a month before listing (making out it’s family item and Hess not picked it up from a car boot) he eventually said I could have a refund.

However.

He said I have to send it back to him and he will check if what I’m saying is right and if he agrees only then will he give me a refund. I think this puts me in a massively vulnerable position.

I’m a disabled single mother and 40 quid is a huge amount of money to me, is this usual what should I do please? X

The guys not being totally unreasonable about anything but I’m worried

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

If it's been less than 30 days since the last ETA you can open a return request with eBay from your my eBay purchase history selecting the item doesn't work and eBay will expect the seller to provide a label for it's return for a full refund.

Iggy1313

Thankyou, hmmm, when I spoke to him he said he is away until the 9th so will continue the conversation then. I’ve just checked and the return date thing ends on the 8th, is he trying to pull a fast one? I did the request just now (thanks for that advice) and it did say “although the seller doesn’t take returns” I’m getting more and more concerned

soolin

Iggy1313 wrote: »

Thankyou, hmmm, when I spoke to him he said he is away until the 9th so will continue the conversation then. I’ve just checked and the return date thing ends on the 8th, is he trying to pull a fast one? I did the request just now (thanks for that advice) and it did say “although the seller doesn’t take returns” I’m getting more and more concerned

The seller being away does not matter, stay calm.

Go to the sale and open a case for a damaged or defective item (I don't recall the actual term). Read what you are doing carefully, do not click on anything that suggests you changed your mind, choose an option that suggests item arrived damaged or defective or not as described. Succinctly describe the issue, forget emotion, be clear and concise, explain item is damaged and does not work.

Then wait, seller will have 8 days to do something, assuming eBay find for you, and statistically you will win, seller needs to supply a pre paid return label. Once item shows as delivered back to the seller they will have 2 days in which to refund you, otherwise eBay force the refund anyway.

If you are not clear about any step of it come back and ask.

Iggy1313

Thankyou both so much you’ve been very generous with your advice xxx

theonlywayisup

Iggy1313 wrote: »

Thankyou both so much you’ve been very generous with your advice xxx

I echo the advice given. Adhere to the case timelines and don't close the case. Don't waffle and certainly don't add anything that isn't relevant*

*there is no need for anyone to know you are a "disabled single mother".

TripleH

I find if you feel emotional put your comments down as bullet points, remembering to focus on fact such as battery compartment has loose connection. That it was an Easter present for your son is irrelevant for the purpose of your claim.