advice needed - sold an item , receiver claiming damaged

[anonymousforareason]

advice needed

sold a motoring item on another forum , the 'gent' receiving it is now claiming the item is damaged .

it was perfect when I posted it , and the damage could not have occurred within the box IMO , he doesn't say whether the broken piece was in the box so hasn't yet claimed it was damaged in transit.

sooo how do I respond?

thanks

I'm genuine but don't like someone to take the piss and I think he's 'at it'

[kiethton]

How was payment made?

Has he offered pictures? I'd be demanding pictures (incorpirating serial numbers) before anything more happened. Depending on payment method (whether they'll just refund) I'd then think about what to do next.

[bitchstewie]

I would say the type of item, the value, how it was posted, what the damage is, and what the buyer is after would play a part in how I'd respond.

[anonymousforareason]

not paypal - so safe as far as that goes

has sent a pic in fairness , but could have damaged it himself , could have been his old one etc etc.

(its impossible to have been damaged in transit without major damage to the box or the rest of the item)

[Wacky Racer]

Difficult one. There is always the possibility HE is genuine.

[surveyor]

I'd suggest that you tell him your quite happy to refund after he's returned it and you've checked that your secret mark is on the returned item.

[evilmunkey]

ooo now thats a clever idea.

[BertBert]

anonymousforareason said:

(its impossible to have been damaged in transit without major damage to the box or the rest of the item)

Did you get a picture of the damaged packaging?

[elanfan]

In addition to saying abut the macro shot you have of a specific mark on the item you want to check innocently ask for it to be returned in the original packaging and when that comes back with no damage you've go him!

[surveyor]

elanfan said:

In addition to saying abut the macro shot you have of a specific mark on the item you want to check innocently ask for it to be returned in the original packaging and when that comes back with no damage you've go him!

If you ask for the photo then he'll if the mark is there. If he waits until the unit is back in hand, then OP has to fork out on postage not knowing if it's a cheeky try on whether he'll get a refund or not.