Seller refusing return calling me a scammer

betsie

Hi
I’ve bought and sold quite a bit on eBay but I just encountered a very unreasonable seller. I bought a picture frame described as BNIB (not sealed). Sent seller a email asking if box looked new as I wanted to gift it to a friend with a picture in it. Was again told new in box. All pictures looked fine (silver metal frame).

It arrived today. The frame is very scratched. These are obvious when you hold it in a certain way in the light. The box was a bit bashed and the corner split and looked grubby. Looks like a frame someone has used for some time with the box kept in a draw.

Sent a return request with pictures.
Got a very abusive reply saying I’m a scammer that the frame I have pictured is not his new one and I’m trying to return an old frame (exactly the same frame) and keep the new one he sent me. He said his pictures dont show any scratches and he will dispute my return with ebay. He had negative feedback from a buyer last month for a new item which he refused to accept the return on and eBay sided with him.

Is there anything else I can do. Cost me £17 with post and there is no way I can gift it to my friend.

Ms_Chocaholic

What was the reason you used when you opened the return request?

betsie

I said it was not as described. It was described and listed as brand new in box which it clearly is not.

sham63

Did you open a SNAD or just contact the seller directly?

betsie

No I did a return request with the reason for the return as “not as described”. It says eBay will step in on 12th if not resolved.
I just couldn’t get over his attitude. Who on earth has the time to search eBay looking for “new” versions of old stuff they have to then send back their old one. He has quite a few sales so probably buys stuff st boot fairs and sells it on. He totally knows it isn’t brand new.
Just worried as eBay sided with him on one last month.

Ms_Chocaholic

Take some photos of the condition of the frame/box and upload them to the case.

betsie

Yes I’ve done this. He is saying my pics are of my old identical frame I’m trying to send back. He is going to uploads lots of pictures showing no scratches.
As with most shiny things the scratches only showcup in a picture if your trying to highlight them.

Ms_Chocaholic

Have you uploaded photos of the grubby box

betsie

Yes it’s hard to show really on the photos it’s a bit bashed on the corners which I’ve taken but the box just is old looking and all scratched but can’t get a picture that really shows it. Looks like it’s been sat in a cupboard for ages.

[Deleted User]

Potentially he might not even have pictures and may just be trying to say that to scare you off.

tacpot12

It seems a curious scam; it's a lot of work for you to get a new silver frame that is identical to one you already own, all for £17 of value. I think I would point this out to eBay and point out your own feedback score and the sellers to see if eBay agree that you are more likely to be telling the truth.

If you lose, just give him bad feedback and buy another frame to give your friend.