How do I obtain proof of purchase for a “new” item?

[vicklowto]

Hi,

I recently purchased an Echo Show whose condition was listed as "new".  When it arrived I had no reason to disbelieve this description, it certainly appeared to be new, and it functions fine.  I messaged the seller to request a proof of purchase receipt, and he replied on 13th May to say it was covered by Amazon warranty and that he'd send me the purchase invoice shortly. He didn't send it. Since then I've messaged him twice with reminders of his promise however they have been ignored.  Stupidly I gave him positive feedback before resolving this issue so can't hold any threat over him to provide negative feedback.  Is there anything I can do to make him stand by his commitment?

Thanks

[red_magpie]

If your seller had provided proof of purchase from Amazon, all you would have proved was that it was second hand.

EBay defines new as "brand-new, unused, unopened and undamaged item in original retail packaging". If that's what you received, you have nothing to complain about. The seller isn't required to tell you how they obtained it, or send you their own purchase receipt.

Leaving negative feedback because a seller declined to do something that eBay doesn't require them to do is feedback policy violation. Using the threat of bad feedback is feedback extortion, which is a very serious abouse of feedback policy.

Your question illustrates an important point on eBay. Many items are legitimately listed as "new" according to eBay's definition, but may not be accepted as new by the manufacturer. Once an item has been bought and resold, whether unwanted or given as a gift, it's second hand, even if it hasn't been opened.

This is just one of several reasons why manufacturers' warranties are liable to be invalid for items bought on eBay.

NEVER imagine that buying on eBay is like the shops.

[plpmr]

" can't hold any threat over him to provide negative feedback."

you could not do that anyhow as its feedback extortion.

There's no way you can force the seller to provide a receipt as eBay/PayPal covers the item condition on arrival.

[vicklowto]

Ok so I understand that feedback extortion isn’t appropriate however this was listed as a new item. If it suffers a fault, I would like it rectified under the warranty that Amazon sold it to the seller, which is what the seller promised to provide. I am sure that Amazon would ignore my claim without proof of purchase from them, I can’t imagine eBay/PayPal receipt would be any use.

[papso22]

You didn't buy from Amazon, why should they provide you with a warranty?

[vicklowto]

Surely any warranty obtained by the seller should be passed onto whoever he sells the item to, unless the seller is providing his own warranty - what is the point in the seller keeping it otherwise? I’ve certainly done this on the few items I’ve sold that are still within their warranty period and I’d never dream of doing otherwise. Otherwise it’s a bit pointless describing it as “new”. All this does is raise suspicions in my mind that the seller obtained the item illegally. Could be stolen goods for all I know unless there is an obligation to pass on proof of purchase.

I didn’t intend for this to descend into a discussion, I hoped I might actually get a more positive answer to a reasonable question when this seller seems to have behaved in a slightly shifty manner, though I might be doing him a disservice. I'll re-raise the original question in the discussion boards.

[papso22]

Not all warrantys are transferable, you need to check Amazon's T&Cs. To answer your actual question. No, there is nothing you can do through eBay to make the seller do anything.

[1902elder]

You can "re-raise" the question in the discussion boards, but you won't get a different answer.