Can I refuse to return a dangerous item to the seller to stop him reselling it.

[unclezaphaniah]

I bought a set of outdoor Christmas lights which should have come with a transformer. There was no transformer and the item has a european 2-pin plug. I asked the seller to send me the transformer. He told me to just plug it in a UK 3pin socket!  I asked an electrician who said NO!! It's not safe. He also told me the lights are not waterproof and therefore can't be used outdoors.

I have asked for a full refund using the Ebay complaints procedure.  The default seems to be for me to return the item to the seller before I get the refund.  I told the seller I would be sending the lights to Trading Standards as he is selling an unsafe product. I dont want to return it to him because he'll just resell it to someone else and put them at risk. I've received an email to print a returns label if I ignore it will I still get my refund?  Or should I just print the label (to satisy Ebay's automated system) but not return the lights?

How do Ebay deal with unscrupulous sellers?

[plpmr]

adding to **peaseblossom** advice -

You either return the goods or supply an official trading standards notification that they have taken custody of said goods.

In any event why not leave feedback to warn others of this dangerous product?

[tsmgmd]

Is this a UK registered business seller.

I thought it was illegal to sell lectrical items like this.

Do they have the UK Safety standards signage..A Google search will tell you what to look for.

[**peaseblossom**]

If the return postal tracking does not show delivery back to the seller ebay will not refund your money.   The item is not unsafe in itself.  Someone could buy it for a holiday home outside the UK.

[unclezaphaniah]

Thank you for that quick reply. I rather suspected that might be the case. You make a valid point about the lights being useable outside the UK, but the fact that he sold them to me (in the UK) suggests to me that he just doesn't care where they are used so long as he makes a sale. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and return them. Thanks again.

[*knight-rider*]

` I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and return them. `

Ask for a return label through the case which the seller pays for, if it is`nt forthcoming, ask ebay to step in on i think day 8 and they will provide one and charge the seller. Items must be returned tracked to prove you have!

[unclezaphaniah]

Thanks for your help.  I received a prepaid returns label with 48hr tracking so I sent it back yesterday.  Now just have to wait for my refund.  In all the years I've been using Ebay it's  the first time I've had to return anything, perhaps I've just been lucky.Sent from my Galaxy

[unclezaphaniah]

Quick update on this issue. The lights which I returned to thd seller were sent back to me with a Royal Mail label stating 'seller gone away'. I contacted the seller again asking what was going on, and was he trying to avoid refunding me by claiming he didn't receive the the parcel. So far no response. It seems I have to wait until the 23rd now before Ebay will step in to help. The saga continues. I feel rather disappointed that this is such a long drawn out process. As a pensioner I can't afford to lose this money but I can't help feeling I'm going to lose out here.