Partial refund scam on Custom built PC - How to deal with situation?

[sudobrittany]

Hiya everyone,

I recently sold a good condition computer to a buyer. I had no returns listed, because this is a custom built computer, and I sort of have to rely on the good faith of a buyer if I did anything other than take it back if broken on arrival.

Unfortunately, just that situation is apparently occurring. The buyer is claiming that he has thoroughly tested the computer, and found that the PSU, motherboard, or CPU are now not working. This is relatively incredible in such a short trip with good packaging. When he made this claim, I had the thought in the back of my mind that he was going to request that I cover the cost of the 'broken parts'. To which he then did, asking for £150 of the original £500 in a partial refund to cover the breakage.

I wrote back, saying that if he's unable to get the computer to work, then he will have to send it back in its original shipping packaging using a service like UPS.

This is a difficult situation. From my perspective, he could do one of many things with this. He could be attempting to scam me. He could swap out the good parts I had in my computer for already broken ones and return it. But of course, assuming we're both acting on good faith, the thing I have to account for is an unlucky sale, where he now gets a full refund and I get left with a broken computer after a very smooth one day shipping.

From his perspective, I could have simply sent him a broken computer in the first place, and not be trying to uphold my end of the sale.

For the case of 'returning broken parts', I have to imagine that I would have to ask eBay to get involved with the return process in order to help the situation. I'm very concerned about this situation. Has anyone had a similar situation and can advise me on what to do next?

[profgaz]

You've just discovered some of the pitfalls of selling on eBay.

As a Seller, you don't want to let eBay step in on a case or they could tell the Buyer to keep the item + refund at your expense + give you an account defect.

If the Buyer as opened a not as described or damaged item case then you need to provide the label for the Buyer to return the PC to you.

Once returned, you refund the Buyer in full.

If the Buyer as agreed to a partial refund, you could make the offer via the case & when the Buyer accepts, the case is closed.

Better to get the Buyer agree to the amount before making a partial refund offer as if they decline, you cannot make another offer.

If the PC is returned damaged then its your word against the Buyers of how it was damaged.

We hear lots of horror stories about how couriers treat parcels, TV's thrown over fences for example.

Nobody can say for certain how it was damaged.