Liability for collection costs ebay

[Rockettvr]

I’ll keep this as short as possible
Sold a very large heavy item on eBay - described to the best of my knowledge
Buyer paid and sent courier to collect
Buyer contacts me listing a couple of faults I wasn’t aware of
I’ve offered a refund and collection at my own cost
Buyer is also asking for a refund of their collection costs
Do I have any liability to refund their collection costs???
I’m already well out of pocket given the rest of the costs I’m incurring on this and think I’m being reasonable in refunding in full the cost of the item

[supertouring]

Why did he send his own courier? Was it listed as collection only?

[Rockettvr]

Collection only
- it’s a very large and very heavy item

[Boosted LS1]

Imo it'll be his responsibility as he arranged the collection. He could have viewed the item but chose not to.

[GT72]

Boosted LS1 said:

Imo it'll be his responsibility as he arranged the collection. He could have viewed the item but chose not to.

That would be my opinion too. I'll be honest, I don't think I'd be offering a refund at all on a collection only item, he took the risk by involving a 3rd party.

Out of interest how did he pay?

[Stenasev]

GT72 said:

Out of interest how did he pay?

This is key. Did he use paypal? Because if he did then he could simply say he didn't receive it or couldn't arrange collection. He then gets a full refund and the item.

I would try to get the item back first and then negotiate refunds.

[GT72]

Stenasev said:

GT72 said:

Out of interest how did he pay?

This is key. Did he use paypal? Because if he did then he could simply say he didn't receive it or couldn't arrange collection. He then gets a full refund and the item.

I would try to get the item back first and then negotiate refunds.

You clearly spotted my leading question. Never allow payment via Paypal for a collected item.

[andburg]

I'd expect ebay will likely side with him, you've accepted it back because it wasn't as described in the advert. He had that expense in good faith.

In hindsight could you have tried the damaged in transit approach? Thinking piano, all keys work but on arrive some are stuck type issue.
item was as described and could have been demonstrated as such if he'd come himself

[Rockettvr]

PayPal
Not too worried at the refund - I’ve photos of the fault and if the shoe were on the other foot I’d like to think I’d be able to get a refund also
Collection is just a bit of a drive and some of my time - I’ve plenty of that at the moment as work is out of the question in the current climate, just wanted to know the legal standpoint if I was liable to refund the buyers costs incurred for the courier

Edited by Rockettvr on Friday 27th March 16:05

[GT72]

Rockettvr said:

PayPal
Not too worried at the refund - I’ve photos of the fault and if the shoe were on the other foot I’d like to think I’d be able to get a refund also
Collection is just a bit of a drive and some of my time - I’ve plenty of that at the moment as work is out of the question in the current climate, just wanted to know the legal standpoint if I was liable to refund the buyers costs incurred for the courier

Edited by Rockettvr on Friday 27th March 16:05

Fair enough you're clearly a decent person. I still think they're cheeky asking for you to meet their costs, that was their risk. I only buy collection items which are close to home for exactly this reason. I doubt they'll be able to get the money out of you via eBay or Paypal, just a refund of everything paid to you.

[supertouring]

I agree with other comments, his choice to request a courier, not your problem.
But allowing paypal for a collected item where you also dont have delivery details is a no no.
I hope you get it sorted and dont lose out completely, but when some buyers meet resistance they go whole hog.