Buyer does not have license to operate radio transverser, has tested and subsequently damaged radio

[mihirsj2012]

Hi folks , looking for some feedback here.

sold my well cared for QRP radio. Tested independently the day it was posted to ensure evidence it was in working order.

buyer not an amateur radio operator no licence and thus no training on operating radios no call-sign etc.

Buyer says he was testing radio and then it went dead , now wants to return and refund.

I believe uk law has been broken and a crime committed as per the wireless telegraphy act.

what should I do ? I  have appropriately informed eBay and also tried to explain the issue to the buyer, that they are not approved to use or test such equipment by law.

i am nervous the radio has been damaged and I will be left out of pocket.

Best wishes.

[tobiasd4]

Unless buyer opens ebay case do nothing.

If they open item not as described case,issue returns label and refund on return. 

If you refuse or ignore case, ebay force refund and buyer keeps item.

You can try to appeal to ebay after. 

[mihirsj2012]

Dear Tobias , should I report the buyer to uk regulator? Or action fraud?

will eBay not assist as on eBay us hf radio sales are not allowed as far as I understand.

this is like a driver has no license to drive , buys a car crashes it and then wants their money back.

thanks

[mihirsj2012]

To add buyer has requested a refund as claims item damaged during their usage and testing.

[tobiasd4]

Ebay will only deal with their own 30 day MBG. 

They won't get involved with any external issues.

[jckl1957]

As advised, the fact that your buyer is not legally allowed to use the item you sold them is not an Ebay issue.

Put that to one side and deal with the buyer.

You say they have requested a refund as the item is damaged.  You can't prove that there was not a fault before you sent it or that it was damaged in transit.  It does seem unlikely that the buyer has damaged the item by testing it.

When a buyer opens a case, your options are to refund, issue a label or send the buyer a message.

Your best option is to provide a label, get your item back and refund the buyer.

If you don't deal with the Ebay case within the time frame Ebay allow, the buyer can ask Ebay to step in.  In such a case, Ebay would usually refund the buyer from your account and tell them they don't need to return the item.

There are specialist shows, 'meets' and forums for selling items like yours.  If you are really worried about it being used without a license, maybe selling on Ebay is not the best idea.