Buyer Making False Claim

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Summary: wazab34 sold bike parts on eBay and is facing a dispute with a buyer who claims a dropper seatpost is leaking. Despite assurances that the item was in perfect condition when shipped, the buyer sent photos suggesting otherwise and requested a refund or servicing payment. wazab34 doubts the buyer's claims, suspecting manipulation for financial gain, and has challenged eBay's resolution policies but received no support. They are considering legal action and are seeking advice from others who have experienced similar issues.

Having sold a mountain bike frame, forks, dropper seatpost and other items, upon the buyer receiving he has stated the dropper seatpost has a leak.

The seatpost was placed on my wooden table for several hours prior to packing in its original box. When it was packed there were no leaks at all (there were no leaks anytime). Please note I purchased this seatpost brand new just over a year ago and the bike had very liitle use.

When the buyer said there was a leak, I did not beleive as it was in perfect condition when I packed it. I asked the buyer for some photos, which the first lot were not great but you could see oil had been rubbed onto the post. Then the second photos, were clearer and this time it looked like oil had been dribbled onto the post. Further to the photos I emailed Fox UK (Silverfish) for their take on the issue. This is what they has to say: Under that black cap on the base of the post there is a shaft that passes through a small O-ring. That is the only place we think that oil could potentially escape if it had failed for some reason. Obviously we can’t say for sure from these pictures though. We’ve certainly not seen one come in for service or repair with as much oil leaked to exterior as the pictures show.

I had also suggested the buyer take the seatpost to a third party qualified to check over and confirm if there was a leak of not. I aslo suggested he take some video, because he said when it is functioned, it leaks oil both ways. One thing to note here is that the air pressure in the seatpost would make it hard to function, so how has he managed this!

The buyer did not take the seatpost to a third party and did not make any video. His claim is false and more so because he is asking me to pay for the seatpost to be serviced. This will be so its more likely sell for a higher price. The buyers profile is set to some private state, I am unable to see his items for sale or any bad reviews. This was set when he made the bid.

If the buyer sends the items back, I am worried that he wont pack them well diliberatly as he seems to be a very spiteful person. The buyer has been using eBay for 14 years so I guess he knows some tricks to claw money back.

eBay has already released the funds and I had withrawn. About an hour later I receive an email from eBay stating the buyer has requested a return. I reported the buyer as abusive, eBay said it doesnt go againt their policies. I appealled and that was declined.

The buyer has completly faked this leak so he can gain financially. eBay and its policies are a joke.

eBay has given me 5 days to respond. With the only options being a return of full/partial refund and buyer keeps the items. I have told eBay I would like to take the legal route.

Sorry its long winded, but has anyone been in this situation?

Thanks