Returns under warantee

[curveyclaire]

Last year I bought a 12v power inverter. It stated on the listing UK seller, Item location London, dispatched from the UK.

I ordered it and it came Royal mail 48.

It was used regularly with no problems for the first 3 months in a camper van while touring europe.

In the last 5 months its only been used 2 or 3 times.

Last week i switched it on, it made a fizzing sound and then a pop. I contacted the seller and they asked for some photos of the display screen.

I powered it on again for the photos, but it crackled and smoke started coming out.

I contacted the seller again to organise a return as its still under warantee, but they want me to send it back to the factory in China.

My point is, i bought from a UK seller, UK stock, dispatched from the UK. I want to return it to them, not the manufacturer.

The only returns information they are supplying is China and not UK.

They are still listing the same product but seem unwilling to "swap it"

Advise please?

[red_magpie]

I'm afraid that eBay and PayPal won't get involved in warranty issues. Their buyer protection schemes only cover the condition of items on arrival, not faults that develop in use.

You can ask citizens advice or trading standards for advice, but don't build any hopes. If the seller is in China it makes little difference that the item was listed as UK stock. The warranty they gave will be meaningless and being in China they're beyond the scope of any UK statutory consumer protection. That's just one of the many risks of buying direct from sellers in China on eBay.

[023mjc]

There is nothing you can do via ebay if you bought it 8 months ago.  Any warranty is between you and the seller. 

If the seller has a registered uk business address you could try trading standards, but if his registered address in in china there will be nothing you can do.

[curveyclaire]

Thanks for the replies,

Do you think its worth requesting seller details to see if it brings up a UK address? If it does I could just send it back to that address in London. What they do with it then is up to them.
After i can carry on the discussion with them about a replacement. Ive not got much to loose as I now own a £120 brick.

Or do you think I should actually send it to China?

[arkwebus]

You could see if a UK address comes up. Call me cynical [and I hope I am proved wrong] but wherever it is sent I suspect you may see nothing!

[arkwebus]

Any warranty is between you and the seller. Ebay cannot and will not help I'm afraid.  Technically if the seller was in UK that is where you send it but - as you find, perhaps - there is no easy way to enforce it unlike with a "bricks and mortar" shop.

[redwick1]

Ebay and paypal money back guarantees are for items that are not as described when they arrive and not a warranty

Any warranty is between you and the seller

If they are business in the UK then contact Citizens Advice for their help

If overseas or a private seller then there is nothing you can do