Help! eBay Buyer Purchased Used Phone with $30 Sim - Used SIM, and Now Claiming Faulty

[Deactivated] on 15/07/2016 - 14:38
Last edited 15/07/2016 - 14:39

I need some advice from experienced ebayers!

I sold a cheap used phone on ebay. I included a $30 sim with the phone. The buyer received, and has activated the SIM. The buyer is now stating that the phone was not as described. Specifically they state is is not unlocked, which it is, because I unlocked and used it for a long time. The buyer has initiated a return without any contact with me beforehand. I see a few issues here:

  1. The sim is now used, so value gone
  2. The fault they describe is not true

Does ebay just force me to take back an item that the user flags as faulty - even if I can prove it is unlocked once I have it returned? On top of that, am i forced to pay return postage? What about the SIM - is that a loss I have to take too?

I made contact a couple of days ago trying to understand and resolve their issue, but then are not contacting me. I'm feeling like i'm being scammed!

Advice appreciated, Thanks.

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Comments

  • alabatusa on 15/07/2016 - 14:41
    +3

    You've been scammed. Well hey it could be worse.
    I had some guy scam me for 2 projector screens worth over $1000 each, claiming damage which i have never had with any other item i've sold. Had 2 of the exact same screens in different colours, 1 year apart. Nothing ebay could do.

    • SnoozeAndLose on 15/07/2016 - 14:43

      you should sale is via Gumtree for cash on pick up

    • [Deactivated] on 15/07/2016 - 14:54

      Yes thankfully not too much money involved - probably $60 down after all this.

    • JimB on 15/07/2016 - 16:14

      Plenty of things eBay could do. Like not side with the scammer.

      That's why I don't bother selling on eBay.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 15/07/2016 - 14:42
    +2

    You are 100% scammed!

    in this case ask ebay via chat and say that the sale coming with $30 sim card and now it is being used, even for refund they should not get 100% refund, or ask if the buy only ship back the phone without the sim card then what to do.

    Be warned ebay is only slide to the buyer side which you will not get help at all.

    • [Deactivated] on 15/07/2016 - 15:03

      Yes I think ill try chat, and see if it helps but expecting nothing!

  • CyberMurning on 15/07/2016 - 14:53
    +4

    GEE so hard now to sell on ebay. high fee and high chance to get scammed. lucky i just sold $1850 item and buyer sent msg said thank you all good and left good feedback too. finger cross nothing happen

  • Aniseed Steed on 15/07/2016 - 15:06

    If I were in your shoes, I would proactively contact eBay, describe the situation as you have done here and ask them what options I have.

    • SnoozeAndLose on 15/07/2016 - 15:15
      +2

      Hope it is not end up with ebay does not care, buyer is always right.

    • [Deactivated] on 15/07/2016 - 15:30

      Yes ill try, but from other comments in reading about returns it sounds like little chance of success. as its my first return I've ever received, I'm hoping I pick up some good strategies to approach eBay here.

  • KaTst3R on 15/07/2016 - 15:32
    -2

    ebay + gumtree = avoid

    • tomleonhart on 15/07/2016 - 15:36

      where do we sell our stuff then ?

      • battler on 15/07/2016 - 15:38

        facebook groups?

      • kolorijo on 15/07/2016 - 16:07

        sunday market?

    • altomic on 15/07/2016 - 16:57

      My 20 or sales through Gumtree have been great. Met buyers in person, they checked the goods (usually brand new in box) and then they hand over the money.

      • [Deactivated] on 15/07/2016 - 17:52
        +1

        Yes I'm starting to reconsider gumtree - if this experience doesn't resolve then eBay may lose me as a seller. Not that they will care!

    • GaryQ on 16/07/2016 - 07:55
      +3

      The Trading Post
      Saw an ad in there for jousting sticks..

      • Marco1993 on 17/07/2016 - 19:18
        +1

        Jousting sticks, what does he want for them?

  • BigTed on 15/07/2016 - 17:25
    +1

    I am sick of hearing about people being scammed on Ebay. What the hell is wrong with people?
    Don't they realise what they are doing is theft or fraud - plain and simple.
    I am appalled that people think it is ok to do this. Sign - ok, I'll go take a Bex now and have a lie down mutter mutter kids nowadays…

  • whooah1979 on 16/07/2016 - 08:17

    On top of that, am i forced to pay return postage?

    no. the buyer must ship the return item at their expense.

    ebay's mbg would like the seller to a; upload a return shipping label for the buyer to use, or b; the seller advises the buyer to ship the item back at their expense. the choice is entirely up to the seller. the common sense option would be b;.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2016 - 09:30

      I don't get option b. I think because the buyer marked it as defective. I get:

      Provide postage label as my cost
      refund buyer and they keep
      offer partial refund and they keep
      send message

      I'd like option b you state!

      • whooah1979 on 16/07/2016 - 10:52

        I don't get option b. I think because the buyer marked it as defective. I get:

        My replies on mbg and snad on wp.
        https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2536271&…

        https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2541988&…

        Ebay policy.

        Return postage costs
        Whether you or the seller are responsible for return postage costs depends on the seller's return policy and the reason for the return. In most cases, sellers require that buyers pay for return postage, but some sellers offer free returns – check the Return policy section of the listing.

        The seller may provide you with a return postage label, or they may contact you to agree on the postage cost and method and arrange reimbursement.

        http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/buy/return-item.html#shipping-…

        In a nutshell. The buyer must return the item at their expense.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2016 - 12:18

          I'm trying to understand, but having trouble.

          EBay is saying I must pay return postage as the item is defective. I have the message "Note that if you accept a return, you'll be charged for return postage because the buyer mentioned that something's wrong with the item".

          Are you saying that is not true?

          Also, thanks for the information around return postage labels. So if I do accept this return, I should not click one of the eBay return options but just state in a message that I will refund agreed postage and just hope that the seller never returns it?

        • whooah1979 on 16/07/2016 - 12:59

          @Gofast:

          So if I do accept this return, I should not click one of the eBay return options but just state in a message that I will refund agreed postage and just hope that the seller never returns it?

          You must accept the return. If you don't, then you run the risk that ebay will close the dispute in the buyer's favour. The buyer gets a refund and keeps the item.

          Accept the return and advise that you'll issue a full refund when the buyer ships the item back. The buyer is then bound by:

          1. Send the item back.
            Pack the item carefully and send it back to the seller. You must return the item within five business days of requesting the return. It's a good practice to include tracking information when returning an item as this will be required for your refund.
        • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2016 - 13:08

          @whooah1979:

          "You must accept the return. If you don't, then you run the risk that ebay will close the dispute in the buyer's favour. The buyer gets a refund and keeps the item."

          It sounds like I need to accept return then. Thanks for your comments, they have helped lots.

          So in future if I list an item is there really any point in stating "returns not accepted" when I am basically forced to accept return anyway?

        • Name on 18/07/2016 - 18:33

          @Gofast:

          If they have used the credit. Try responding with option saying "send msg". Write you'll offer a refund minus the credit used on the sim card if you return the item.

          You'd think PayPal would have some common sense with that? I think if the buyer doesn't respond within x number of days they'll close it in your favour? I dunno.

          Alternatively, offer full refund and hope they return it without a tracking number.. I made that mistake once, seller claimed he never got my return through the PayPal dispute process even though through eBay messenger he says he did receive the return. PayPal wouldn't accept the eBay communication as evidence and said the only thing they'll accept is a tracking number from Australia post or the seller clicking the box to say he received it. They sided with the seller and I got screwed out of $100. Lesson learnt. I should have just posted him a pile of dog crap in a registered letter and used that as a tracking number for PayPal.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/07/2016 - 19:59

          @Trozza:

          Yes ill try and deduct SIM value when they don't return that part.

          Ill be honest in return process, just have to treat this as a learning experience!

  • whooah1979 on 16/07/2016 - 08:22

    What about the SIM - is that a loss I have to take too?

    the cost of being a casual seller on ebay.

  • Peck on 16/07/2016 - 10:34

    Ebay are crap !!! And you will probably still end up paying their commission.

  • cornucopia on 17/07/2016 - 11:18

    I've been active on eBay as a buyer and seller for >10 years and in that time I've not had anything returned as a seller
    but I have had to return half a dozen things for all sorts of reasons as a buyer. I've found eBay to be helpful and reliable in all these instances although their processes can be irritatingly slow .. :-) .. !!

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