Not a good start!

[comeandseeforyourself]

I rejoined Ebay last week so that I could make my first purchase - a Ewbank Raycop bed vacuum. I knew it stated used but thought I could at least buy replacement filters etc. and did expect it to be CLEAN.

It has just arrived and was well packaged BUT it is filthy - the filter unit full to the brim with ... well I would rather not have to imagine what.  Where can I review my "experience"?

[bankhaunter]

Where can I review my "experience"?

In your feedback.

It has always been a surprise to me that so many sellers never bother to clean the items they wish to sell.

Admittedly on Ebay buyers only have a picture to go on but you see the same at markets, bootsales etc.

I wouldn't even give something away without cleaning it first, do some people have no pride?

[captainbovine]

eeeewwwww

[ilove2patch]

If you pop over to Buyer Central they will give you some advice on how to proceed if you want to return it. Sounds yukky!

http://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Buyer-Central/bd-p/21900000767

[millielilac]

The problem is on eBay that its members can be very diverse.

Ideas of condition and cleanliness can be very variable from one person to another.

However it is unacceptable to send out an item in that condition.....have you contacted the seller to express your surprise and disappointment ?

[comeandseeforyourself]

The seller telephoned me sunday evening (strange time to call) saying he could not see my payment on paypal. I quoted the receipt number and his email reference and he stated that it was an "old" email account. I am not a very confident person and found the call quite unsettling. I guess I have learned my lesson, as my husband said this morning I should never have bought anything "used" and certainly won't again. I guess this is a classic case of "buyer beware"....

[right-then-petal]

[leoleoleo123]

I just hope you did not repay or give the caller any other dertails..

[comeandseeforyourself]

No but I was surprised he had my telephone number as I thought he would have only been given my address. 

[guardpig]

Ebay have suddenly gone over to providing all the buyers phone numbers on the order page.  This is better form my point of view because we had a period where they weren't giving out any and had to do a contact details search for them if needed.  For carrier deliveries it means the driver can contact the customer direct if he needs to.. Otherwise they phone me, I phone the customer, I phone the carrier, they phone the driver, they phone me back and I confirm all arrangements with customer!. 

As to Sunday evening - were you in?.  We nearly always wait until the evening to phone our non-business customers - they tend to be in!. 

[*pixachu*]

It's unfortunate that your first ebay purchase has gone this way. I have bought lots of items on ebay, quite a few used, and almost every item has been in great condition.
When selling, I always make sure I describe accurately and everything is cleaned properly. Even if giving away I would clean items. But as said before, not everyone has the same standards.
I would advise to read carefully the descriptions etc and hopefully you will have a better experience next time.

[comeandseeforyourself]

Just a quick update ..... have delivered my purchase to its most appropriate final resting place ......... our local tip.

[lhasa.two]

Why didn't you send it back to the seller and get your money back?

He'll continue to think his standards are ok if you let him get away with it!

Buyers need to give sellers the opportunity to rectify things before being negged... you could have given him a 'positive' on feedback if he'd reimbursed you, by saying something like. "Item not suitable, seller gave immediate refund". 

Don't be put off buying by one bad experience, as many people have said there are lots of really good second hand items for sale on ebay and lots of good organised sellers.