Ebay purchase - is the description misleading?

[595Heaven]

Bought a second hand underfloor heating controller which has just been delivered.

The listing description mentioned ‘Very minor marks on the screen, they just show up under light at an angle.’

Here’s my photo



Is that a fair description?

If not, is it worth following up, or will that just raise my blood pressure?

[Matt Cup]

I’d be pretty annoyed to be honest, that’s scratched to fk. It also looks like they haven’t even bothered to give it a wipe.

[Butter Face]

It would likely come up a lot better with a bit of cutting compound over it but yes, that's more than a few light scratches.

[Jamescrs]

Looks pretty badly scratched, if you raise it through ebay and tell them you want a refund eBay will probably back you and you will be able to return it for a refund

[595Heaven]

Matt Cup said:

I’d be pretty annoyed to be honest, that’s scratched to fk. It also looks like they haven’t even bothered to give it a wipe.

That was my first thought!

Here’s the original listing and seller’s pictures

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Warmup-3iE-Programmable...

[Matt Cup]

Just a thought.

Is there a plastic cover on it that they haven’t removed?

[sunbeam alpine]

In fairness to the Ebay seller, pic2 in the listing does show it to be pretty scratched.

[595Heaven]

sunbeam alpine said:

In fairness to the Ebay seller, pic2 in the listing does show it to be pretty scratched.

It does show some marks, but doesn’t look as bad as the reality.

Does their admission of scratches cover them completely?


Screen is plastic - what cutting paste might be worth trying?

[nyt]

Butter Face said:

It would likely come up a lot better with a bit of cutting compound over it but yes, that's more than a few light scratches.

5 minutes with some T-cut should sort out the majority of those scratches

[sunbeam alpine]

I just googled that model, and it retails at £145 + VAT (I admit I only clicked on the first link so it may be available cheaper).

The winning bid on the Ebay listing was just £45, so it might be unreasonable to expect perfection.

[the tribester]

Seller has the/similar controller listed

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Warmup-3iE-Programmable...

so OP, did the seller take it back OK? or is this a 2nd one?

[595Heaven]

the tribester said:

Seller has the/similar controller listed

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Warmup-3iE-Programmable...

so OP, did the seller take it back OK? or is this a 2nd one?

Well that is strange! Identical photos, same seller and it is sat on my desk in front of me...

[595Heaven]

sunbeam alpine said:

I just googled that model, and it retails at £145 + VAT (I admit I only clicked on the first link so it may be available cheaper).

The winning bid on the Ebay listing was just £45, so it might be unreasonable to expect perfection.

Don’t disagree, but my idea of ‘minor marks’ doesn’t cover the reality of what this has, and the listing photo doesn’t show these well

[48k]

"It wasn't scratched that badly when I sent it, you can see in the listing photos".

"I declared it scratched in the listing"

Depends how much you want to push it, though ebay usually side with the buyer".

[Spare tyre]

I reckon they cleaned it up, sold it and then whatever they cleaned it with has evaporated or worn off or whatever, either way not your problem, got original link?

[Chester draws]

eBay said:

Used: An item that has been previously used. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or shop return that has been used. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections.

As long as it's "fully operational and functions as intended", "signs of cosmetic wear" are to be expected.

It is what it is, sometimes second hand stuff off eBay is better than you think it will be, sometimes it's worse.

[SpeckledJim]

nyt said:

Butter Face said:

It would likely come up a lot better with a bit of cutting compound over it but yes, that's more than a few light scratches.

5 minutes with some T-cut should sort out the majority of those scratches

Yeah, T-cut, toothpaste and it'll come back to presentable I reckon.

[ro250]

I'd say they've deliberately understated the amount of scratches and used poor light in the photos so they weren't visible.

As others have said, eBay will refund you. Just go through their online process.

I bought a plastic cover for some internal trim on my car a couple of weeks ago. The seller said it was used but failed to point out both retaining clips needed to actually fit the thing had been snapped off! ebay accepted the return no problem.

[595Heaven]

I’ve sent a note with my pictures to the buyer saying I don’t believed the advert represented the damage correctly, and that I would not have bid if it did. If I can capture the damage in a photo, then he should be able to as well.

I’ve asked for a full refund today and I’ll then send it back at my expense tomorrow. If he’s not agreeable to that, I’ll open an eBay claim.

[ro250]

595Heaven said:

I’ve sent a note with my pictures to the buyer saying I don’t believed the advert represented the damage correctly, and that I would not have bid if it did. If I can capture the damage in a photo, then he should be able to as well.

I’ve asked for a full refund today and I’ll then send it back at my expense tomorrow. If he’s not agreeable to that, I’ll open an eBay claim.

Don't do it that way. Go into your purchases and select to return the item and state it was not as described. This will generate a postage paid label. You shouldn't be paying return postage for it.