Ebay mistreating sellers

Fields_of_gold

Hello 
Does any one have any advice for me? I sold 5 pieces of equipment and hand delivered them as they were heavy. The Buyer started a dispute about one item. I disagreed with him but Ebay came down on his side as I had ignored request to collect the items. Ebay then refunded the buyer with the full fee leaving me to ask for the items back, the buyer isn't responding to any of my correspondence. This leaves me out of pocket and without the items I sold him. Ebay said they aren't interested in helping, It seems all a little one sided. my choices are to employ a bailiff , write off the item and let him keep them. Has anyone had a similar experience ?

MikeJXE

Duplicated tread 

RFW

Fields_of_gold said:

Hello 
Does any one have any advice for me? I sold 5 pieces of equipment and hand delivered them as they were heavy. The Buyer started a dispute about one item. I disagreed with him but Ebay came down on his side as I had ignored request to collect the items. Ebay then refunded the buyer with the full fee leaving me to ask for the items back, the buyer isn't responding to any of my correspondence. This leaves me out of pocket and without the items I sold him. Ebay said they aren't interested in helping, It seems all a little one sided. my choices are to employ a bailiff , write off the item and let him keep them. Has anyone had a similar experience ?

You can't just "employ a bailiff". You'd first have to go to court.

Not that we're there but it would have been easier to collect, ignoring the buyer wasn't the wisest move. Ebay have two options, favour the buyer or the seller, by your own admission you were ignoring the buyer, so Ebay made their decision.

Email the buyer politely asking to collect the item (if you want to) and suggest times that are suitable to you and ask the buyer to pick one. If the buyer ignores you then you can move on to a solicitor letter or whatever legal approach you want to try. My guess is that it isn't a lot of money so may not be worth the hassle.

tightauldgit

I'm not sure what you want eBay to do. You sold an item and the buyer wasn't happy with it and eBay found in their favour. It's your responsibility to facilitate the buyer returning the item - not ignoring their requests. 

If you want to pursue a legal route to get your property back you will have to show that you've made reasonable efforts to facilitate a return. 

Have you been rude or abusive to the buyer during the dispute? It may be you've burned through any goodwill. 

Nonetheless the buyer can't keep your stuff so if you pursue it far enough and follow the steps you will get it back. If it's worth the hassle.