Advice on dealing with eBay buyer from 16 months ago

Money_Grabber13579

I occasionally sell a few things on eBay, mainly items which I’ve acquired at some point but never actually used. I’m a private seller i.e. I don’t have a shop on eBay, I’m not buying things to sell etc.

A purchaser bought an item over 16 months ago and I’ve received a message (which was fairly aggressive and accusing me of various things which are actually nothing to do with me) but in short, they say that the item has become faulty and they have demanded a full refund. Part of their demand seems to hinge on their statement that the item is still under manufacturers warranty. Now, I have no idea whether it is still under warranty or not but I’d be surprised if it was, partly because it was purchased on eBay (from a private seller) but also because the buyer has no idea how long I had the item for before selling it on eBay (I can’t recall either, but I suspect that it might have been longer enough for the warranty to have expired by now anyway.

I can’t see the original eBay listing (eBay seem to remove them after a period of time) but I’m pretty sure that I made no claims in the listing about any sort of warranty being provided. After all, I always work on the basis that there is no warranty or rights with eBay purchases I make, outside of whatever eBay force sellers to comply with.

My understanding is that I’m no longer under any obligations to the buyer and do not need to refund but is this correct and if so, what is the best way to respond to this buyer? They have threatened to get in touch with eBay if I don’t refund.

soolin

I think I would ignore the buyer as it’s going to be difficult to say anything that is going to appease the buyer, and you are under no obligation to do anything. 

GadgetGuru

Agree with the above. Simply ignore and block the buyer. No need to take any action at all. 

Money_Grabber13579

Many thanks, I will sit tight and do nothing for now.

GrubbyGirl_2

out of curiosity what was it and how much did he pay?

diystarter7

Hi OP

Ask for Ebay intervention and see what they say to put your mind at rest. Dont respond until you have done that

Good luck

soolin

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

out of curiosity what was it and how much did he pay?

It really makes no difference, private seller and a 16 month ago sale, it's finished and over with.

soolin

diystarter7 said:

Hi OP

Ask for Ebay intervention and see what they say to put your mind at rest. Dont respond until you have done that

Good luck

I'm not entirely sure what intervention you are expecting from ebay? They won't care as it is way outside any buyer guarantee protection they offer. I also don't trust CS to even understand a situation like this.

I would only contact ebay if buyer became abusive and threatening, and then only to protect my account. 

diystarter7

soolin said:

diystarter7 said:

Hi OP

Ask for Ebay intervention and see what they say to put your mind at rest. Dont respond until you have done that

Good luck

I'm not entirely sure what intervention you are expecting from ebay? They won't care as it is way outside any buyer guarantee protection they offer. I also don't trust CS to even understand a situation like this.

I would only contact ebay if buyer became abusive and threatening, and then only to protect my account. 

Hiya

As per my post, peace of mind. ie "put your mind at rest"

I would contact CS in an event like this hence my recommendation as the poster is clearly anxious, hence the post here

Thanks

rodmaker

Money_Grabber13579 said:

I occasionally sell a few things on eBay, mainly items which I’ve acquired at some point but never actually used. I’m a private seller i.e. I don’t have a shop on eBay, I’m not buying things to sell etc.

A purchaser bought an item over 16 months ago and I’ve received a message (which was fairly aggressive and accusing me of various things which are actually nothing to do with me) but in short, they say that the item has become faulty and they have demanded a full refund. Part of their demand seems to hinge on their statement that the item is still under manufacturers warranty. Now, I have no idea whether it is still under warranty or not but I’d be surprised if it was, partly because it was purchased on eBay (from a private seller) but also because the buyer has no idea how long I had the item for before selling it on eBay (I can’t recall either, but I suspect that it might have been longer enough for the warranty to have expired by now anyway.

I can’t see the original eBay listing (eBay seem to remove them after a period of time) but I’m pretty sure that I made no claims in the listing about any sort of warranty being provided. After all, I always work on the basis that there is no warranty or rights with eBay purchases I make, outside of whatever eBay force sellers to comply with.

My understanding is that I’m no longer under any obligations to the buyer and do not need to refund but is this correct and if so, what is the best way to respond to this buyer? They have threatened to get in touch with eBay if I don’t refund.

I hope that resolves positively for you.

 I had similar. A buyer who I sold a camcorder to a year ago complained that it was faulty/damaged on receipt via his credit card company. It was unlikely damaged in transit as I cacoon items I sell to make sure they are carrier proof.There is some loophole in a credit cards terms that can be exploited by scammers I have since discovered..
Ebay apperently are obliged to deal with this as being part of the transaction they had charged a fee. Ebay suspended my account pending resolution. Surprisingly it was resolved fairly easily by supplying photographs to ebay and the card company showing the condition as supplied that I had kept from the sale and importantly a picture of the package. Had I not kept those pictures I might have had to pay back the £450 that the camcorder sold for.

Spoonie_Turtle

I would also advise ignoring them.  If they really want to try going to eBay, let them, they have no leg to stand on.