Buyer wants to return watch as not working two weeks after confirming that it was described.

[leanderme]

Hi there all,

Just wanted some feedback and advice on this situation.

I'm a watch collector/enthusiast and sell watches on ebay.  I sold a mint Seiko watch two weeks for £200 and had cordial communication with the buyer, who left feedback positive feedback confirming that the watch was 'great' and as 'described'.  This is as to be expected I though I am just a 'private seller' I am meticulous in my ebay selling and every watch is photographed in detail and fully tested before being put up for sale and posted out.  I've never had a return before nor have I ever had negative or even neutral feedback for  a sale.

Anyway today I got a request for a return on the grounds that the watch is now not keeping time and running very fast.  As every watch enthusiast knows this is typically  a  sign that the watch has been dropped or taken a hard knock, or if not that, that it has become magnetised.   

So I'd like to know what my options are here.  I've asked the buyer for more details about the problem, but not received a reply as yet.  Ebay has sent me a return label and seems to expect me to refund in full and accept the return.  

I appreciate that ebay prioritises the rights of buyers,  and while I sympathise with the buyer, I feel that I have done my bit, having sold a watch that was as described and working perfectly, which has stopped working while in the buyer's care, who has apparently used it for two weeks without a problem before requesting a return.   

So do I have any rights here - any advice would be appreciated?   Thanks.

[jckl1957]

Your choices are fairly simple.

You can either accept the return or refund the buyer.

Don't refund without getting the item back.

You need to accept the return, get the item back and then refund the buyer.  You will find it impossible to prove that the buyer has somehow damaged the watch and you are aware that Ebay support the buyer.

Buyers have 30 days to start a return and your buyer is within that time.

[plum993]

If the buyer opens a return request within 30 days citing item not as described then you need to refund in full within 3 days or the buyer can escalate the case to ebay and they will refund from your monies and place a defect on your account.

[leanderme]

Hi - and thanks for your clear and informative reply.

I was hoping that things might have changed a bit now that ebay is charging the extra 4% for the 'buyer protection' but apparently not.

So it seems that through absolutely no fault of my own I will have to accept the return of a broken watch which the seller has had the use of for two weeks and most probably dropped. 

Not fair, but then life, and ebay, are not required to be.  

[plum993]

Just one of the risks for sellers selling on online venues. Best add this one to your blocked bidder list here so they can't bid or buy from your again https://www.ebay.co.uk/bmgt/BuyerBlock?
If the watch is returned, and is in the same condition as you sent out then you can report the buyer for abusing the money back guarantee process. Report an issue with a buyer | eBay

[leanderme]

Hi plum993,

Thanks for your advice about blocking,

Your other points is also interesting - you say "If the watch is returned, and is in the same condition as you sent out then you can report the buyer for abusing the money back guarantee process."

Well this is exactly what is happening.  They buyer has now said that he wore the watch for ten days/times before the problem occurred.  So when I receive it back, as apparently I must, it will certainly not be in the working state that I sent it out in.   Do I have a leg to stand on here?  I expect not - but what is your view?

[plum993]

When the case closes in the buyers favour,which ususally happens,you can try and appeal, but that rarely works,and to report the buyer is probably better as ebay will be able to see if the buyer does this on a regular basis and act on it,although ebay won't disclose to you any action taken.

@leanderme 

[leanderme]

I've accepted the return, as per everyone's advice. 

I also spoke with  an agent, who said that given the situation

- watch worked fine for 10 days then went wrong while in buyer's possession

and my history with ebay

- 15 years and  no returns until now

that ebay may well rule in my favour. 

I will certainly make a case for them to do so.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

[fargvs]

 Registered as a private seller- -- time to check for Business account registration perhaps ? >>

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sellercentre/selling/create-ebay-business-account

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/getting-paid/registering-seller?id=4792

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/getting-paid/start-getting-paid-ebay?id=4795&st=12&pos=2&query=S...