eBay Seller Demanding $25 Deduction to Return Item

Tuttorix on 17/07/2020 - 09:33
Last edited 17/07/2020 - 11:11

Hey OzBargain peeps,

I want to return an item roughly 6 days after receiving it and hadn't opened it until 2 days ago. Upon opening the item (dual action polisher) I noticed markings, smudges and some scratches on the item as well as faded (sun affected?) rubber around the polisher. The item was $349 + Free Postage, and stated that returns were accepted within 30 days. However when I opened the return request, the business owner stated that I would receive a refund MINUS $25 because he had to post the item to me. He has been somewhat rude, however his attitude can be ignored as I am causing an inconvenience for him by returning the item. But I have visual photo evidence which I submitted with my return request. He has declined the return without $25 charge to me about 4 times now. I can ask eBay to step in on 22/07/2020 but I don't want to screw this guy over. I just want to return it because the listing says "Brand New" which means unopened box and brand new condition, which I felt as if it wasn't. He also stated he has documented evidence that the item had no markings / damage when he sent it and told me to accept his deal. What can / should I do?

Edit: I opened the return as "Arrived Damaged" and added photos as evidence. I didn't want to screw over the guy because if I ask eBay to step in on 22/07/2020, they will let me keep the item AND refund me. He's another Aussie and I don't wanna make things worse in an already uncertain time right now.

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Comments

  • Randxyz123 on 17/07/2020 - 09:42
    +1

    Have you requested the return as a change of mind? The $25 charge would be reasonable if this was the case. I would be making sure the return goes through as a damaged item. On the other hand if the item works maybe he’d settle for giving you 30% back or something and you keep it?

    • Tuttorix on 17/07/2020 - 11:08

      The return is listed as "arrived damaged" with photo evidence attached.

  • Chris2027 on 17/07/2020 - 09:50
    +3

    uh oh I think you needed to select the item was not as described.

    I did the same as you a couple of years ago, faulty item but did not select the correct return reason and ebay sided with the seller and I had to keep it.

    If you can change the selection to 'item not as described' then the seller cannot charge you anything and I think you can decide if the seller is to pay the return shipping too.

    best of luck, I hate when people sell crap as new when it is clearly not.

    let us know the outcome!

    • Tuttorix on 17/07/2020 - 11:13

      I did open the return request as "Arrived Damaged" but he is being insistent. I just don't wanna have eBay force a refund and leave me with his product. He deserves to be able to sell it at least.

      • Randxyz123 on 17/07/2020 - 11:31
        +2

        Just be firm.

        “Hi <seller name>,
        I’d rather settle this without getting eBay involved. As the item has arrived defective with marks and scratches, I am not willing to accept a $25 fee. If it wasn’t defective when you posted it, then please take this up with AusPost/<courier> and they should cover some of the cost. If you decide to do this please let me know the reference number and keep me updated with the next steps required.

        Otherwise I will be posting this back to you and I will be expecting a full refund.
        Kind Regards,
        Tuttorix”

        OP,
        I would be 100% taking photos and insuring the polisher to the full value you paid for it. If this seller tries to do a dodgy and claim you broke it or it broke in transit and isn’t sellable now, you’ll be covered.

        • Tuttorix on 17/07/2020 - 19:27

          I returned the item today and filmed me returning the item. Just in case for later down the track.

  • XSidd on 17/07/2020 - 09:51

    Read this for ebays options to sellers for when an item does not match or is damaged. If you have evidence and it is damaged, you can force him pay for return and refund.
    https://www.ebay.com.au/help/selling/managing-returns-refund…

  • markathome on 17/07/2020 - 10:05
    +1

    You're not screwing the guy over by asking for a refund. These are eBay sellers and, much like eBay customers, they are used to being screwed over. Open the case and proceed as normal. If you want to soothe your soul, be cordial but firm in communication and resist buying on eBay in future. The experience is just becoming awful for everyone involved.

    (except for the eBay executives who are having heaps of fun criminally harassing their sellers/customers https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/07/feds-charge-seventh-ebay-…)

    • FireRunner on 17/07/2020 - 10:23

      Isn't that eBay US?

      • markathome on 17/07/2020 - 10:53

        Yes it is.

        • FireRunner on 17/07/2020 - 11:03

          Is it really relevant to us in Australia?
          Not sure how often people are screwed over on eBay, I've done plenty of buying and selling on eBay and only a handful of bad experiences, mostly with low feedback private sellers, always getting my money back.
          The worst I've had was as a seller and the buyer demanded a refund several months later. More of problem with PayPal since it was outside eBay buyer protection period.
          I agree that the OP should proceed with the case, seller is either being dodgy and reselling used/returned stock or didn't properly examine their goods.

          • markathome on 17/07/2020 - 11:11

            @FireRunner: It's true eBay is in my bad books at the moment. That may change in future but I'd personally recommend alternatives until then.

  • singingwolf on 17/07/2020 - 10:12
    +2

    PayPal and eBay plus cover return postage. He should pay for the postage for sending a crap product

  • [Deactivated] on 17/07/2020 - 10:14

    Had it happen to me, seller sent me an item claiming it was new but the safety seal had been replaced.

    Went through ebay claim system and got a full refund, had to send it back at ebay/sellers expense

  • mbck on 17/07/2020 - 10:24

    As buyers, you have the advantage. EBay don't want to lose you. Plenty of stores with the same item, but only one you.

  • jimdotpud on 17/07/2020 - 10:25
    +1

    Screw that. Hold firm. Ask ebay to intervene.
    Did you claim "damaged" or "not as described" for the return reason?
    Unless it is change of mind (or otherwise strictly mentioned in their return policy), i think they have to refund everything including shipping and return shipping.
    i had a recent delivery, one item was damaged. if that item wasn't damaged, i probably wouldn't have realised that all 5 items were not as described.
    ebay don't let you open a case with multiple "issues", so i selected damaged, but also put in the case it is clearly not as described. seller kept replying "sorry it's not what you wanted" like i was trying to change my mind on the remaining 4 items. ebay sided with me in the end and i got all my money back.

    • Tuttorix on 17/07/2020 - 11:12

      Yeah "arrived damaged" but he claims he has documented evidence that it was fine before he sent.

  • popsiee on 17/07/2020 - 11:09

    Don't worry OP if you paid by PayPal you will get whatever you want !

    • Tuttorix on 17/07/2020 - 11:12

      Yeah I did pay by PayPal but I just don't wanna be an (profanity) and keep the item AND get a refund. He loses out on a lot of money.

      • FireRunner on 17/07/2020 - 11:20

        I had recently purchased from a stubborn private seller refusing to pay return postage or offer a reasonable partial refund for an item not as described. Resorted to asking eBay for help, they gave me a return post label and I sent it back. Once it arrived I got a full refund.
        Don’t worry about it, you won’t get both a refund and get to keep the item

      • TilacVIP on 18/07/2020 - 11:36

        You don't get to keep the item unless the seller agrees. eBay will refund you the purchase price & seller will have to pay for return postage, but that will be all after the dispute has been opened and ruled on by eBay which could take a couple of weeks if the seller wants to challenge the dispute.

  • Seraphin7 on 17/07/2020 - 11:21
    +2

    I didn't want to screw over the guy because if I ask eBay to step in on 22/07/2020, they will let me keep the item AND refund me.

    If you are genuinely altruistic, you can still send the item back to old mate … asking him to pay for postage, of course!

    • FireRunner on 17/07/2020 - 11:29
      +3

      It doesn't work like that anyway. If eBay decides in your favour, they send you a return post label and will refund you once the tracking shows the item has been delivered back to seller.

      • Seraphin7 on 17/07/2020 - 11:30

        Well there you go. Sounds like an official eBay complaint is the only way to go here.

  • garetz on 17/07/2020 - 13:06
    +2

    You are not screwing over the guy, the guy was attempting to screw you over. Just do what you need to do. Its not your fault.

  • Drakesy on 17/07/2020 - 13:53

    Yep going through one at the moment. Item not as described requires the seller to either compensate or pay for your return costs with no out of pocket expense to you. It's a risk the seller has to wear.

    Also it does depend if it is legitimately a used product or if it's just been sitting around a warehouse for a while. Pictures would probably help

  • cezasu on 17/07/2020 - 15:50
    +1

    Play by ebay rules.

    Just escalate to ebay and let ebay deal with him if you cannot agree with him.

    Sometimes ebay returns him the money so that he is not out of pocket.

  • Troyp on 18/07/2020 - 08:10

    Did you pay PayPal open a return they will pay the postage after U submit the receipt.

    Just google PayPal returns and it should come up .

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