eBay error

[nipsips]

Good morning-

I’ve made a bit of an error, well partly. I’ve bought something on eBay that was listed as fitting my car, submitted an offer and it was only when I was weighing up posting or collecting and checking the close up images did I notice subtle differences did I realise they won’t fit my car (wheels and the offset is 19mm out inwards)

I could space them - but I don’t like spacers, not only from an insurance point of view but I’m just not a fan of how they look behind the wheels, I want OEM not spaced wheels.

I’ve messaged the seller and offered to pay compensation and his fees but what do you think is a reasonable amount?

Hate messing people around but the ad stated it would fit my car so I didn’t do any checks - my fault I know. Thanks

Edited by nipsips on Friday 19th June 07:05

[bassanclan]

If it's a buy it now from a trader your 7 day distance selling applies. If an auction from an individual, you could offer to cover the Ebay fees?
Technically they could chase you for the difference if a subsequent auction realises a lower price, but unlikely.

[spookly]

I think you're being over generous. If they listed it as fitting your car then they are equally responsible for the cock up. Some people wouldn't have noticed until they tried to fit it, which would be more hassle for both of you.

I'd just message them saying you are withdrawing your offer as the part will not fit your car, despite what their advert says.

[Centurion07]

Why would you be offering anything?

THEY listed it as fitting your car so THEY made the mistake.

At most I would send an email explaining that and tell them you're withdrawing your offer.

Worst case you'll get negative feedback. Oh noes.

[A205GTI]

Spacers add literally nothing to your insurance, just like interior changes.

[Centurion07]

Ignore that^.

[Smurfsarepeopletoo]

Is it a case of they wont actually fit your car, or is it just a case that the offset will have them sitting further in the arches than you initially thought?

[meatballs]

I thought if a seller fails to pay then you don't get hit by any fees as a seller? But I could be wrong.

[NGee]

Smurfsarepeopletoo said:

Is it a case of they wont actually fit your car, or is it just a case that the offset will have them sitting further in the arches than you initially thought?

Yes, this bit is important. If they do fit then the seller has done nothing wrong. Did the listing say they needed spacers?

If they fit but you don't like them then it's down to you. You might be able to sort something out with the seller but no guarantee. Depends on the seller and whether it was a trade sale or an individual.

On the other hand, if they just don't fit at all then ask for you money back (if you've already paid). If they refuse just open a case with Ebay as 'item not as described'. Ebay will nearly always side with the buyer and there doesn't seem any reason not to in your case.
If you haven't paid then don't.

Remember, sellers can not leave negative feedback.

[scoey1001]

As above, if you cancel from your side they won't pay any fees. No need to pay any form of compensation, yeah it's slightly annoying but this happens all the time. Don't worry about it.

[maz8062]

You're a good person but you don't really need to go these lengths if you've changed your mind. Ask the seller to cancel the transaction - if accepted, they will receive a final value fee refund so no cost to them. If they've already posted the item then you'll have to return the item - at your cost, and the seller can claim a fee refund on receipt.

It's quite simple - don't beat yourself up about it.

[NGee]

maz8062 said:

.....if you've changed your mind. Ask the seller to cancel the transaction ........

There is a big difference between 'change you mind' and 'not as described' (not fit for purpose).

An individual seller does not have to refund the buyer just because they change their mind.

[Shiv_P]

If they refund you, the seller gets the eBay fees back.

[maz8062]

NGee said:

maz8062 said:

.....if you've changed your mind. Ask the seller to cancel the transaction ........

There is a big difference between 'change you mind' and 'not as described' (not fit for purpose).

An individual seller does not have to refund the buyer just because they change their mind.

Yes, but it is not worth the hassle. If it hasn't been posted, it is best to cancel the transaction and get a fee refund. Sellers that waste their time arguing and trying to insist that a buyer completes the transaction are being short-sighted IMO. If it gets to eBay adjudication, the buyer will win and there's the danger that the buyer leaves feedback to reflect their buying experience.

When I sell on eBay I always treat the customer with the utmost care. I don't argue if they change their mind and refund instantly if I haven't posted the item.

[Pegscratch]

Most sellers will be reasonable. I encountered one who had specifically listed something as being for my model and year of car and when it arrived and I went to fit it the connectors were significantly different; they went apest. I explained calmly that the item would be coming back in it's box and I'd pay for the return as theory was I could have checked the wiring first (although annoying, as it requires a reasonable amount of disassembly) but that wasn't good enough and they had a meltdown. Raised with eBay, a few days later the seller was paying for the return as well as not as described.

TL;DR - they're almost certainly going to be mildly annoyed because they'll have to relist it but eternally grateful that this was done before it had been shipped.

[650spider]

Although you have stated you have 'bought', have you send the payment yet?

If not, tell the seller you have made an honest mistake; seller then sends a request to 'cancel sale' to yourself...you agree then ebay cancels sellers final sale fees and gets to relist for free.

If you have sent the payment, you can still make the same request; goods have not been dispatched and you are covered by distance selling rules...if seller resists, involve Ebay then Paypal; 99 times out of 100 they find in favour of the buyer.

Seller returns payment, either voluntary or via Ebay / Paypals involvement.

Unless you did not use paypal and made a bank transfer, in which case all bets are off.

[NGee]

maz8062 said:

NGee said:

maz8062 said:

.....if you've changed your mind. Ask the seller to cancel the transaction ........

There is a big difference between 'change you mind' and 'not as described' (not fit for purpose).

An individual seller does not have to refund the buyer just because they change their mind.

Yes, but it is not worth the hassle. If it hasn't been posted, it is best to cancel the transaction and get a fee refund. Sellers that waste their time arguing and trying to insist that a buyer completes the transaction are being short-sighted IMO. If it gets to eBay adjudication, the buyer will win and there's the danger that the buyer leaves feedback to reflect their buying experience.

When I sell on eBay I always treat the customer with the utmost care. I don't argue if they change their mind and refund instantly if I haven't posted the item.

Absolutely agree, but as you say, only if the item has not been posted. If the seller refunds after the goods (in this case wheels) have been posted then, yes, the seller gets the fees back but could be out of pocket a considerable amount due to postage costs.

[NGee]

650spider said:

If you have sent the payment, you can still make the same request; goods have not been dispatched and you are covered by distance selling rules...if seller resists, involve Ebay then Paypal; 99 times out of 100 they find in favour of the buyer.

Seller returns payment, either voluntary or via Ebay / Paypals involvement.

This only applies to trade sellers.

If the item is sold by an individual at auction and it is clearly stated 'no returns' then the seller does not have to accept the return. (As long as the item is not misrepresented.)

I would agree with other posters that is generally easier just to refund the buyer and avoid all the hassle, however with wheels, we are talking about a considerable amount of postage costs which have to be paid by someone!

[maz8062]

NGee said:

maz8062 said:

NGee said:

maz8062 said:

.....if you've changed your mind. Ask the seller to cancel the transaction ........

There is a big difference between 'change you mind' and 'not as described' (not fit for purpose).

An individual seller does not have to refund the buyer just because they change their mind.

Yes, but it is not worth the hassle. If it hasn't been posted, it is best to cancel the transaction and get a fee refund. Sellers that waste their time arguing and trying to insist that a buyer completes the transaction are being short-sighted IMO. If it gets to eBay adjudication, the buyer will win and there's the danger that the buyer leaves feedback to reflect their buying experience.

When I sell on eBay I always treat the customer with the utmost care. I don't argue if they change their mind and refund instantly if I haven't posted the item.

Absolutely agree, but as you say, only if the item has not been posted. If the seller refunds after the goods (in this case wheels) have been posted then, yes, the seller gets the fees back but could be out of pocket a considerable amount due to postage costs.

No, a seller doesn't lose out on return postage costs provided the buyer is honest for the reason for the return. A buyer that has changed their mind will have to buy a return label to return the item. If the item is defective, or not as described, the seller has to pay for the return label.

[maz8062]

NGee said:

650spider said:

If you have sent the payment, you can still make the same request; goods have not been dispatched and you are covered by distance selling rules...if seller resists, involve Ebay then Paypal; 99 times out of 100 they find in favour of the buyer.

Seller returns payment, either voluntary or via Ebay / Paypals involvement.

This only applies to trade sellers.

If the item is sold by an individual at auction and it is clearly stated 'no returns' then the seller does not have to accept the return. (As long as the item is not misrepresented.)

I would agree with other posters that is generally easier just to refund the buyer and avoid all the hassle, however with wheels, we are talking about a considerable amount of postage costs which have to be paid by someone!

This is not quite correct. The seller doesn't have to accept the return but is likely to lose (99% of the time) if the case goes to eBay resolution.ic

Edit: If its wheels that you've bought and they've already been posted, this is quite problematic. Problematic for you faffing around trying to post them back - and expensive, and time-consuming. If it is wheels (and this is not clear) and they've been posted, I'd suggest keeping them and trying to re-sell yourself.

Edited by maz8062 on Friday 19th June 10:35