eBay (I know, I know!) ... Collecting 'Faulty' Goods?

[Ikemi]

I know there are so many eBay related threads posted on here, so I apologise for adding to this! However a bit different ...

Basically, I sold a working computer power supply (tested before posting) to an individual who owns a small computer repair shop in Harrow. In order to avoid the usual scams, I took and uploaded photos showing the serial number of the unit, as well as sending the item via RMSD. Due to the weight, postage cost c.£11.

Anyway, the buyer messaged me:

"Hi, I just attached the power supply to the PC there's no power."

I'm 99.9% sure the power supply works. I understand eBay rules and if it doesn't work, or he claims it doesn't work, he is entitled to a refund. However the issue is, if I ask for the item to be returned, I'll have to pay £11 (£22 total) and refund him the full amount. If I don't ask for it back, he has his money refunded and keeps the power supply.

I honestly believe he is a bit of a chancer and is hoping to gain a power supply for free, which he can then sell on/use to enhance profit. This bothers me. However his shop is located 30 minutes away from myself and fuel is cheaper than return postage! The question is, can I offer to collect the item in person? If I do this, is there any possibility I'll get screwed over by eBay? Is it easier just to forget about this and move on?

I'm guessing most people are going to say the latter - Probably the most sensible and I haven't lost much cash. It's just rather annoying!

[MrJuice]

If only 30 minutes away, go to the shop and collect. Maybe even arrange a live test while you are there. Try and tie the mission in with something else you are doing like supermarket shopping and it'll feel less of a chore

[grim_d]

Have you spoken to ebay about what happens if he returns it and it works fine?

[krisdelta]

It's this kind of nonsense that puts me entirely off eBay now - if you can go in person, all well and good. I bet it goes pretty quiet once you tell him you'll collect it personally.

Good luck!

[Amused2death]

Just go visit the shop, don't tell him you're going....just go, and explain who you are once you get there.

[vx220]

Amused2death said:

Just go visit the shop, don't tell him you're going....just go, and explain who you are once you get there.

Hopefully you can time it so he has a shop full of customers...

[bitchstewie]

This is why I have a room full of working junk. I don't use it, it works so I won't throw it away, but I just don't need the aggro over £20.

[Fermit The Krog]

We do a lot of ebaying - the girlfriend is a hoarder and we've recently combined two houses. We have come to the conclusion that every now and again you'll get an unreasonable idiot, but by the same token find that if you're straight and fair the vast majority will return you the favour. On the odd occasion we have to deal with an idiot we try to wrap it up ASAP. You can spend far too long on the odd idiot rather than spending time on the 90something% who are decent and make you money. Overall we make far more than we lose so are prepared to write off the odd small loss. Just remember his user name and make a note to never sell anything to him again.

[marshalla]

Ikemi said:

The question is, can I offer to collect the item in person? If I do this, is there any possibility I'll get screwed over by eBay?

Well, he loses the opportunity to post you a house brick, and you increase your chances of getting your PSU back. Since he won't have posted you anything, he won't have proof of posting for the eBay refund process and will still need to find something to send you, and spend the money on postage, if he wants to pursue that option.

Just don't give him cash if you collect as there'll be no evidence at all that a collection & refund has happened, so he could still use the eBay process to screw you over.

[h0b0]

My bet is that the buyer has misdiagnosed the fault in his PC. that's why 2 PSUs appear to not work. It will be his mother board. If you make the trip you can help him out.

Check his feedback. If it's good then this may be innocent.

[vx220]

h0b0 said:

My bet is that the buyer has misdiagnosed the fault in his PC. that's why 2 PSUs appear to not work. It will be his mother board. If you make the trip you can help him out.

Check his feedback. If it's good then this may be innocent.

Good point, I'd forgotten how many headphones and Mains adaptors people tried to return due to the fault actually being a dodgy connection on the unit

[Spare tyre]

If you go an collect it, I reckon he will break it on purpose

[gowmonster]

take whatever you tested it on with you, prove it and keep the money?

[Ikemi]

Thanks for all the replies! Also, thanks Marshalla - You've basically confirmed what I feared. At least if I do visit the shop in question, I now know the process that needs to be carried out to protect both him and myself!

h0b0 said:

My bet is that the buyer has misdiagnosed the fault in his PC. that's why 2 PSUs appear to not work. It will be his mother board. If you make the trip you can help him out.

Check his feedback. If it's good then this may be innocent.

I have a funny feeling this might be the case. I've also asked him to check that all the relevant connectors are plugged in, as well as the jumper connectors for power/reset are also correctly in place. Oh, and that the rocker switch on the back is switched on! Easy to miss ...

However if it is indeed the motherboard and the power supply is of no use to him, he could still send it back as faulty and I'll be charged a total of £22 for the privilege of his mistake. Alternatively, he does this, which crossed my mind ...

Spare tyre said:

If you go an collect it, I reckon he will break it on purpose

As for feedback, 43 positive, all of which were accumulated buying computer components. From now on, I think I'll just stick to buying on eBay, rather than selling ...

[Impasse]

How much will you be out of pocket if you refund and he just keeps it?

[Ikemi]

Impasse said:

How much will you be out of pocket if you refund and he just keeps it?

It's a £40 power supply and I've paid £11 in postage - It's not the end of the world! It's just annoying that a computer repair store has either diagnosed a fault incorrectly, or is making profit off my item! There is an incredibly slim chance it may have died whilst in transit, but it's hugely unlikely ...

[anonymous-user]

I thought he would pay the return postage & you refund upon receipt.

Don't enter into any conversation. Make them follow the process ( they pay the postage) You refund upon receipt but not the postage cost.

They will then probably ask for a partial refund. Decline, stick with your guns, refund upon return.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 27th March 16:30

[hashtag]

Jimboka said:

I thought he would pay the return postage & you refund upon receipt.

Don't enter into any conversation. Make them follow the process ( they pay the postage) You refund upon receipt but not the postage cost.

They will then probably ask for a partial refund. Decline, stick with your guns, refund upon return.

Edited by Jimboka on Sunday 27th March 16:30

Doesn't work like that on eBay l. Seller pays for postage if the item is faulty (if the buyer decides it is) I sold aPlaystation 4 game a couple of weeks ago. Buyer complained that it was unusable due to scratches. Lodged a return, at my expense.
It was returned and not a scratch on it. Sold it again 3 days later and got great feedback. The buyer obviously decided that he did not want it so lied to save the postage cost.

Remember the buyer never lies and the seller always lies.

Edited by hashtag on Sunday 27th March 17:06

[Gareth79]

If they are a serial chancer I imagine if you turned up at the shop unannounced they would claim the item is at home and they can't leave the shop to get it. If you told them you were coming I'd agree with the above - they would ensure it didn't work when tested :/

Fermit The Krog said:

Just remember his user name and make a note to never sell anything to him again.

You can block people from bidding:
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/sell/manage_bidders_o...

[anonymous-user]

hashtag said:

Jimboka said:

I thought he would pay the return postage & you refund upon receipt.

Don't enter into any conversation. Make them follow the process ( they pay the postage) You refund upon receipt but not the postage cost.

They will then probably ask for a partial refund. Decline, stick with your guns, refund upon return.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 27th March 16:30

Doesn't work like that on eBay l. Seller pays for postage if the item is faulty (if the buyer decides it is) I sold aPlaystation 4 game a couple of weeks ago. Buyer complained that it was unusable due to scratches. Lodged a return, at my expense.
It was returned and not a scratch on it. Sold it again 3 days later and got great feedback. The buyer obviously decided that he did not want it so lied to save the postage cost.

Remember the buyer never lies and the seller always lies.

Edited by hashtag on Sunday 27th March 17:06

Ok!, must have changed the rules. Another reason to chuck stuff away or give to the charity shop instead!