eBay returns - should I get refund before posting?

[nonplussed]

Hi all,

I've bought a dodgy guitar on eBay in a moment of weakness. It's arrived with some wiring problems and the seller has agreed to take it back for a refund. So far so good.

However, he insists I ship the guitar first, and he'll then refund me when it'sn arrived back. Is this the normal way of doing it or should I get the refund before shipping? He seems like a decent enough bloke in general.

Any thoughts much appreciated!

[bonsai]

His request is very much the normal way of dealing with refunds.

[marshalla]

Make sure you return it using a method which is trackable online.

If not, he can claim that he never received the item and refuse to refund.

[LC23]

Return goods first. Then receive refund.

[nonplussed]

Thank you all good people of PH, sorted then! Trackable shipping and then (hopefully) refund with no issues. Thanks again.

[louiebaby]

marshalla said:

Make sure you return it using a method which is trackable online.

If not, he can claim that he never received the item and refuse to refund.

I think this is the premise of all the "broken" laptops that people have bought in the past...

[marshalla]

louiebaby said:

marshalla said:

Make sure you return it using a method which is trackable online.

If not, he can claim that he never received the item and refuse to refund.

I think this is the premise of all the "broken" laptops that people have bought in the past...

Absolutely - dishonesty goes both ways.

Sellers should always keep a full record of higher value items sold, including serial numbers and photos, and make mention of "checking secret marks" when authorising returns (such marks may or may not exist of course) and use trackable and insured delivery methods.

Buyers really ought to check goods before accepting delivery and when returning should be sure to use trackable & insured means just in case something goes wrong in transit.

Mind you - most of that just transfers the cost of fraud to the courier's insurer, and hence to the courier's customers, leading to a little bit more of the loss of trust and goodwill in modern society.