Sold an item on eBay - how to protect myself?
Discussion
Hi.
I have sold an item on eBay which is broken. It's a digital camera, the listing is honest about the fact that it doesn't turn on and it's listed as "For repairs or parts" and also "Returns not accepted".
The auction finished last night and it sold for considerably more than I thought it would - some way into three figures. Great!
However due to the the winning bidder's name and address I strongly suspect that I am about to be made a fool of. I can't help thinking that in a couple of weeks time I will have no camera and no money. Payment was by PayPal so there are opportunities aplenty for chargeback and what not along with allegations that the item is not was described, or even that I posted the seller a brick instead of a camera. What can I do to protect my interests at this stage? It is still in my possession but will be posted tomorrow.
I'n thinking that clear photos of the serial number on the camera and lens would be a start, along with a signed-for delivery service. Can I do anything else?
All advice welcomed - thanks.
I have sold an item on eBay which is broken. It's a digital camera, the listing is honest about the fact that it doesn't turn on and it's listed as "For repairs or parts" and also "Returns not accepted".
The auction finished last night and it sold for considerably more than I thought it would - some way into three figures. Great!
However due to the the winning bidder's name and address I strongly suspect that I am about to be made a fool of. I can't help thinking that in a couple of weeks time I will have no camera and no money. Payment was by PayPal so there are opportunities aplenty for chargeback and what not along with allegations that the item is not was described, or even that I posted the seller a brick instead of a camera. What can I do to protect my interests at this stage? It is still in my possession but will be posted tomorrow.
I'n thinking that clear photos of the serial number on the camera and lens would be a start, along with a signed-for delivery service. Can I do anything else?
All advice welcomed - thanks.
What would it be worth in working order in comparision to what they are paying?
I guess if they know for half an hours work they can fix it then they've got a bargain, or can sell it for a profit..
Could you send them a message via ebay that says 'Just to be sure, you do know that it doesn't work, will not switch on, don't you? Please reply to this message confirming that you understand and then I will post it.' Then if they do try to get money back you have proof on ebay system that they knew.
I guess if they know for half an hours work they can fix it then they've got a bargain, or can sell it for a profit..
Could you send them a message via ebay that says 'Just to be sure, you do know that it doesn't work, will not switch on, don't you? Please reply to this message confirming that you understand and then I will post it.' Then if they do try to get money back you have proof on ebay system that they knew.
I had a similar situation a while back. Buyer wins my item and instantly mails to say he can't pay but will within a week. Time passes , no communication despite emails so I open a case and relist. All of a sudden he pays and demands the item, against my better judgement I give him the benefit of the doubt and sent it.
Low and behold a few days later he contacts me saying the item never arrived, he opens a case to get money back etc. Luckily I sent the item using next day, guaranteed by 1 pm and fully insured - best £9 I've spent.
PayPal were excellent, shut his case down immediately due to my evidence, had proof of delivery and signature online. Buyer claimed it wasn't his signature and he had CCTV evidence to prove it was never delivered. He opened a chargeback case through his credit card company, again PayPal were excellent, shut him down and forwarded him to the fraud investigation people. Royal Mail also did an investigation, turns out that the item was delivered through a bedroom window!
Moral of the story, cover your back. Send it fully insured and tracked, keep all receipts and enjoy the extra cash you didn't think you'd have
Low and behold a few days later he contacts me saying the item never arrived, he opens a case to get money back etc. Luckily I sent the item using next day, guaranteed by 1 pm and fully insured - best £9 I've spent.
PayPal were excellent, shut his case down immediately due to my evidence, had proof of delivery and signature online. Buyer claimed it wasn't his signature and he had CCTV evidence to prove it was never delivered. He opened a chargeback case through his credit card company, again PayPal were excellent, shut him down and forwarded him to the fraud investigation people. Royal Mail also did an investigation, turns out that the item was delivered through a bedroom window!
Moral of the story, cover your back. Send it fully insured and tracked, keep all receipts and enjoy the extra cash you didn't think you'd have
I've had a few cases opened on things listed for spares, each time I have let the case go to eBay and each time they have found in my favour.
To be honest it doesn't make much sense to scam someone on a 'for parts' auction as the item is broken, and eBay generally side with the seller.
Send it signed for.
To be honest it doesn't make much sense to scam someone on a 'for parts' auction as the item is broken, and eBay generally side with the seller.
Send it signed for.
gregs656 said:
I've had a few cases opened on things listed for spares, each time I have let the case go to eBay and each time they have found in my favour.
To be honest it doesn't make much sense to scam someone on a 'for parts' auction as the item is broken, and eBay generally side with the seller.
Send it signed for.
sending signed for makes no differenceTo be honest it doesn't make much sense to scam someone on a 'for parts' auction as the item is broken, and eBay generally side with the seller.
Send it signed for.
my son sold a camera - it was signed for - buyer said it wasn't delivered , ebay sided with the buyer
ebay is broken
i'm very tempted to buy an item from the purchaser and do it to him tbh but he only ever sells crap
I was in a similar situation a few weeks ago. Listed something on ebay that had a few faults (clearly described), but kept seeing negative posts on here about ebay scams. By the time the auction ended I was convinced I was going to get fleeced, especially as the auction winner had no previous history. They paid immediately but other than that I had no correspondence or acknowledgement from them, even when I messaged them to give tracking details for the parcel. Parcel was delivered, and 2 weeks on still nothing, so I assume they are happy with the item 
Despite all the horror stories you hear, the vast majority of transactions on ebay take place with no issues. As long as the item is described properly and you send it by recorded/signed for post you'll almost certainly be fine. Take plenty of photos of the item before and as you package up if you want to have extra evidence should the worst happen.
Despite all the horror stories you hear, the vast majority of transactions on ebay take place with no issues. As long as the item is described properly and you send it by recorded/signed for post you'll almost certainly be fine. Take plenty of photos of the item before and as you package up if you want to have extra evidence should the worst happen.
xjay1337 said:
2Btoo said:
However due to the the winning bidder's name and address I strongly suspect that I am about to be made a fool of
Sounds a bit racist, perhaps??!? It could be Donald McDuckling at Pond cottage for all you know. FFS.
dro
said:
said: How the hell on Earth does that sounds a bit racist perhaps?, why do so many people play the racist card at the slightest remarks these days?, its truly getting beyond ridiculous, you have no idea what that winning bidders name and address is yet you are mouthing off about racism!.
It could be Donald McDuckling at Pond cottage for all you know. FFS.
Let me guess.It could be Donald McDuckling at Pond cottage for all you know. FFS.
it'll be Parneet Sukjinder and his address is 132 Thistle Way, Bradford?
Do you think if it was Dr Andrew McFarlane at Sleepyhollow Cottage, Long Lane, Buckingham, that OP would feel the need to mention the name/address being a worry about being scammed?
:-)
xjay1337 said:
dro said:
said: How the hell on Earth does that sounds a bit racist perhaps?, why do so many people play the racist card at the slightest remarks these days?, its truly getting beyond ridiculous, you have no idea what that winning bidders name and address is yet you are mouthing off about racism!.
It could be Donald McDuckling at Pond cottage for all you know. FFS.
Let me guess.It could be Donald McDuckling at Pond cottage for all you know. FFS.
it'll be Parneet Sukjinder and his address is 132 Thistle Way, Bradford?
Do you think if it was Dr Andrew McFarlane at Sleepyhollow Cottage, Long Lane, Buckingham, that OP would feel the need to mention the name/address being a worry about being scammed?
:-)
If he said, Mr RajRaj Muhammed YouwillgetnoMoney Alahad - 123 Scam Street, then maybe, but for all you know it says Mr Jones Jones - Flat 1 - Tower Block, which to me would sound like they are trying a chargeback scam or he may just mean the chap has 0 feedback.
Trexthedinosaur said:
Sorry but he is right, how on earth can that in anyway be construed as racist, it is like the boy who cried wolf, the power of the word "racist" diminishes every time it is used in some wishy-washy application like the above.
If he said, Mr RajRaj Muhammed YouwillgetnoMoney Alahad - 123 Scam Street, then maybe, but for all you know it says Mr Jones Jones - Flat 1 - Tower Block, which to me would sound like they are trying a chargeback scam or he may just mean the chap has 0 feedback.
Exactly.If he said, Mr RajRaj Muhammed YouwillgetnoMoney Alahad - 123 Scam Street, then maybe, but for all you know it says Mr Jones Jones - Flat 1 - Tower Block, which to me would sound like they are trying a chargeback scam or he may just mean the chap has 0 feedback.
But there is no such thing as racism anyway, its just made up bull, if I travelled to any part of the world and mated with a female we would produce a Human, we are all the same race ...the Human race.
my daughter sold a handbag for a considerable sum. Buyer was slow with replies but money went into Paypal. Sent staurday morning recorded delivery etc. Tuesday buyer complained item not as described..it was a pair of old black boots! My daughter shocked asked for photos of box and boots. The boots were knackered and happened to be wrapped in a newspaper! Awesome next. I could date the paper from the articles on view to 2 days after the item was sent! Took 2 weeks for ebay and Paypal to believe us and strike her off.
Update: One of the sales has gone the way I thought it would. Item was an old Chromebook, sold as 'Parts or repairs, not working' with a detailed description including a picture of the screen.
Sale was 'No returns'.
Buyer buys the item, it was delivered, he then asks for a return as the screen is not as he expected it to be. He sent some photos of the screen that were pretty much exactly the same as the photos I had on the advert.
I declined the refund so he opened a case against me.
I replied to the case saying that the item was sold as being for 'Parts or repairs, not working', and 'No returns', and that the pictures supplied of the screen showed nothing more or less than was shown on the advert.
Case has just been decided in the favour of the buyer.
Advice? Is there any element of recourse with such things? A complaints procedure? I'd really like to know on what basis they have made their decision but there is no explanation.
It's £40. I can afford £40. It's the principle of the matter!!!
Thanks for any advice.
Sale was 'No returns'.
Buyer buys the item, it was delivered, he then asks for a return as the screen is not as he expected it to be. He sent some photos of the screen that were pretty much exactly the same as the photos I had on the advert.
I declined the refund so he opened a case against me.
I replied to the case saying that the item was sold as being for 'Parts or repairs, not working', and 'No returns', and that the pictures supplied of the screen showed nothing more or less than was shown on the advert.
Case has just been decided in the favour of the buyer.
Advice? Is there any element of recourse with such things? A complaints procedure? I'd really like to know on what basis they have made their decision but there is no explanation.
It's £40. I can afford £40. It's the principle of the matter!!!
Thanks for any advice.
2Btoo said:
Update: One of the sales has gone the way I thought it would. Item was an old Chromebook, sold as 'Parts or repairs, not working' with a detailed description including a picture of the screen.
Sale was 'No returns'.
Buyer buys the item, it was delivered, he then asks for a return as the screen is not as he expected it to be. He sent some photos of the screen that were pretty much exactly the same as the photos I had on the advert.
I declined the refund so he opened a case against me.
I replied to the case saying that the item was sold as being for 'Parts or repairs, not working', and 'No returns', and that the pictures supplied of the screen showed nothing more or less than was shown on the advert.
Case has just been decided in the favour of the buyer.
Advice? Is there any element of recourse with such things? A complaints procedure? I'd really like to know on what basis they have made their decision but there is no explanation.
It's £40. I can afford £40. It's the principle of the matter!!!
Thanks for any advice.
Its a waste of time mate. I sold an Air Purifier a few months ago, it was absolutely brand new and boxed and described/pictured as such. Woman bought it, I posted it, she emailed me upon receipt saying it didn't work. I listed it as no returns, but had to accept a return as it 'didn't work'. Got it back and plugged it in, it worked perfectly. I sent the woman a video of it working from my iPhone, she emailed back to admit she knew it worked but she mistakenly bought it thinking it was a de-humidifier and used the excuse to get me to accept a return and refund her. I told eBay all of this on the phone and in emails and they still found in her favour when I raised a complaint online. I refused to refund her, so eBay did automatically and ring-fenced my Paypal account so when any funds went in, they would automatically refund eBay. I caved in after a week and settled the account and then last month (4 months after the debacle) I had some more funds in PayPal account and eBay automatically took the amount again by error. Had a right faff trying to get it back! Selling on eBay now, unless you can get the item collected in person, is a risk nowadays.Sale was 'No returns'.
Buyer buys the item, it was delivered, he then asks for a return as the screen is not as he expected it to be. He sent some photos of the screen that were pretty much exactly the same as the photos I had on the advert.
I declined the refund so he opened a case against me.
I replied to the case saying that the item was sold as being for 'Parts or repairs, not working', and 'No returns', and that the pictures supplied of the screen showed nothing more or less than was shown on the advert.
Case has just been decided in the favour of the buyer.
Advice? Is there any element of recourse with such things? A complaints procedure? I'd really like to know on what basis they have made their decision but there is no explanation.
It's £40. I can afford £40. It's the principle of the matter!!!
Thanks for any advice.
Edit - Making a formal complaint by the way, involves writing to their office in Dublin, a cynic would suggest they don't want people to complain!
Edited by towser44 on Sunday 25th June 16:17
Got one that may go pear shaped at the minute.
Sold an item I am using e bays "semi in house dispatch tool - Shutl"
Bought it on Saturday and it was collected by the courier on Monday out for dispatch with him on Wednedsay. He isn't in they card him. I then get a message Wednesday afternoon saying I (ME) need to rearrange delivery I duly give him all the contact details he needs. he replies "Delivery is your responsibility - sort it I need it now I am going away tomorrow a few days etc" I duly cave in and as expected all they will do is rearrange delivery autonmatically next day.
To save faffing about with the moron I arrange for it to be returned to me. I contact e bay saying I fear bad feedback etc. They say we have looked at his messages yours are ok his are unrtealistic our advice is to cancel the sale. I will once know item is actually being returned to me
Total pratt of a buyer but you get them. In reality it will have cost me the courier fees. Come Xmas I will send him some Xmas cards with no stamps on he might then have to cough up a few quid at the post office
Sold an item I am using e bays "semi in house dispatch tool - Shutl"
Bought it on Saturday and it was collected by the courier on Monday out for dispatch with him on Wednedsay. He isn't in they card him. I then get a message Wednesday afternoon saying I (ME) need to rearrange delivery I duly give him all the contact details he needs. he replies "Delivery is your responsibility - sort it I need it now I am going away tomorrow a few days etc" I duly cave in and as expected all they will do is rearrange delivery autonmatically next day.
To save faffing about with the moron I arrange for it to be returned to me. I contact e bay saying I fear bad feedback etc. They say we have looked at his messages yours are ok his are unrtealistic our advice is to cancel the sale. I will once know item is actually being returned to me
Total pratt of a buyer but you get them. In reality it will have cost me the courier fees. Come Xmas I will send him some Xmas cards with no stamps on he might then have to cough up a few quid at the post office
2Btoo said:
Update: One of the sales has gone the way I thought it would. Item was an old Chromebook, sold as 'Parts or repairs, not working' with a detailed description including a picture of the screen.
Sale was 'No returns'.
Buyer buys the item, it was delivered, he then asks for a return as the screen is not as he expected it to be. He sent some photos of the screen that were pretty much exactly the same as the photos I had on the advert.
I declined the refund so he opened a case against me.
I replied to the case saying that the item was sold as being for 'Parts or repairs, not working', and 'No returns', and that the pictures supplied of the screen showed nothing more or less than was shown on the advert.
Case has just been decided in the favour of the buyer.
Advice? Is there any element of recourse with such things? A complaints procedure? I'd really like to know on what basis they have made their decision but there is no explanation.
It's £40. I can afford £40. It's the principle of the matter!!!
Thanks for any advice.
Ah but doesn't that mean he has to download a label that's charged to you for the return postage and that only when its been received back by you then you have to refund. If that happens I'd just readvertise it but as a buy it now with the postage out and postage back costs factored on and run it a s a buy it now with the faults listed over 30 daysSale was 'No returns'.
Buyer buys the item, it was delivered, he then asks for a return as the screen is not as he expected it to be. He sent some photos of the screen that were pretty much exactly the same as the photos I had on the advert.
I declined the refund so he opened a case against me.
I replied to the case saying that the item was sold as being for 'Parts or repairs, not working', and 'No returns', and that the pictures supplied of the screen showed nothing more or less than was shown on the advert.
Case has just been decided in the favour of the buyer.
Advice? Is there any element of recourse with such things? A complaints procedure? I'd really like to know on what basis they have made their decision but there is no explanation.
It's £40. I can afford £40. It's the principle of the matter!!!
Thanks for any advice.
I shot myself in the foot earlier this month with a sale on eBay.
I recently did a charity trip around the football grounds and collected loads of signed memorabilia. 99% of it went through eBay fine with no problems, instant payers and some really nice feedback from clearly satisfied customers.
Except one.
Sold an Ipswich signed shirt for £25 to a woman in Caerphilly on Friday 9th June. Postage was £3.40 (first class, not signed for) and I posted it the following day, Saturday 10th June with delivery agreed on three working days. She messaged me on Saturday 17th June, saying it hadn't arrived, she was angry because it was a present for Fathers Day and could I chase it?
Found the proof of posting receipt but before I had chance to chase with the PO, she opened a dispute. In her message, she said "Still not received this item and I'm very upset as it was a special gift for my dad. He has since passed away with a battle with cancer. If this had arrived fathers day he would have seen it. I would like a full refund please."
Felt really bad so in a weak moment, I gave her a full refund. Only afterwards did I realise what a fool I'd been... she had no feedback (her first eBay deal ever) and after a bit more investigation, I found out her Dad had died on the 13th. So there was a fair chance that he wouldn't have seen it even if it had turned up when it should (14/15th June). Proof of posting says it was delivered from the DO on 12th June.
Going to chase with the PO now to see if I can get something back but annoyed with myself.
I recently did a charity trip around the football grounds and collected loads of signed memorabilia. 99% of it went through eBay fine with no problems, instant payers and some really nice feedback from clearly satisfied customers.
Except one.
Sold an Ipswich signed shirt for £25 to a woman in Caerphilly on Friday 9th June. Postage was £3.40 (first class, not signed for) and I posted it the following day, Saturday 10th June with delivery agreed on three working days. She messaged me on Saturday 17th June, saying it hadn't arrived, she was angry because it was a present for Fathers Day and could I chase it?
Found the proof of posting receipt but before I had chance to chase with the PO, she opened a dispute. In her message, she said "Still not received this item and I'm very upset as it was a special gift for my dad. He has since passed away with a battle with cancer. If this had arrived fathers day he would have seen it. I would like a full refund please."
Felt really bad so in a weak moment, I gave her a full refund. Only afterwards did I realise what a fool I'd been... she had no feedback (her first eBay deal ever) and after a bit more investigation, I found out her Dad had died on the 13th. So there was a fair chance that he wouldn't have seen it even if it had turned up when it should (14/15th June). Proof of posting says it was delivered from the DO on 12th June.
Going to chase with the PO now to see if I can get something back but annoyed with myself.
Edited by GloverMart on Sunday 25th June 21:53
GloverMart said:
I shot myself in the foot earlier this month with a sale on eBay.
I recently did a charity trip around the football grounds and collected loads of signed memorabilia. 99% of it went through eBay fine with no problems, instant payers and some really nice feedback from clearly satisfied customers.
Except one.
Sold an Ipswich signed shirt for £25 to a woman in Caerphilly on Friday 9th June. Postage was £3.40 (first class, not signed for) and I posted it the following day, Saturday 10th June with delivery agreed on three working days. She messaged me on Saturday 17th June, saying it hadn't arrived, she was angry because it was a present for Fathers Day and could I chase it?
Found the proof of posting receipt but before I had chance to chase with the PO, she opened a dispute. In her message, she said "Still not received this item and I'm very upset as it was a special gift for my dad. He has since passed away with a battle with cancer. If this had arrived fathers day he would have seen it. I would like a full refund please."
Felt really bad so in a weak moment, I gave her a full refund. Only afterwards did I realise what a fool I'd been... she had no feedback (her first eBay deal ever) and after a bit more investigation, I found out her Dad had died on the 13th. So there was a fair chance that he wouldn't have seen it even if it had turned up when it should (14/15th June). Proof of posting says it was delivered from the DO on 12th June.
Going to chase with the PO now to see if I can get something back but annoyed with myself.
Its not the Post Offices fault though is it ?I recently did a charity trip around the football grounds and collected loads of signed memorabilia. 99% of it went through eBay fine with no problems, instant payers and some really nice feedback from clearly satisfied customers.
Except one.
Sold an Ipswich signed shirt for £25 to a woman in Caerphilly on Friday 9th June. Postage was £3.40 (first class, not signed for) and I posted it the following day, Saturday 10th June with delivery agreed on three working days. She messaged me on Saturday 17th June, saying it hadn't arrived, she was angry because it was a present for Fathers Day and could I chase it?
Found the proof of posting receipt but before I had chance to chase with the PO, she opened a dispute. In her message, she said "Still not received this item and I'm very upset as it was a special gift for my dad. He has since passed away with a battle with cancer. If this had arrived fathers day he would have seen it. I would like a full refund please."
Felt really bad so in a weak moment, I gave her a full refund. Only afterwards did I realise what a fool I'd been... she had no feedback (her first eBay deal ever) and after a bit more investigation, I found out her Dad had died on the 13th. So there was a fair chance that he wouldn't have seen it even if it had turned up when it should (14/15th June). Proof of posting says it was delivered from the DO on 12th June.
Going to chase with the PO now to see if I can get something back but annoyed with myself.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 25th June 21:53
You should however report her to e bay and communicate with her that you believe she has an honesty issue and that you want your item back . She is a scammer. through and through
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff