Catch22 trying to get a resolution on an item I bought (seller not responding/ebay case closed

[baver3016]

Hi. I am having a major issue with a seller I bought from.

I bought a vintage Atari 65XE computer with accessories from a buyer on the 2nd Feb. It was all sold as all fully working. I received it on the 4th Feb. As standard I videoed the unboxing & testing of this on the 6th when I had a moment in one single/continuous video & it transpired one of the items (a cassette deck) was faulty.

On the same day (6th feb) I contacted the seller with the video link and explained things - (the cassette's play button doesn't work among other things which renders the unit useless).

I didn't hear anything from the seller until the 17th feb, where the seller apologised for the delay & acknowledged my issue, stating he would be arranging a partial refund at some stage. I suggested £20 would be accepatable. I assumed this would be within a week or so.

From that point on I've not heard anything more from him & have not received a refund. I kept messaging him asking him to respond throughout Feb & March. On the 14th March I did the only thing I could & raised a returns request,  where I wasn't aiming to return it - as of course I've been saying I want to keep it all along, but just have a partial refund as the seller has stated he would be doing. Here, I was expecting, after 3 x working days, to have the option pop up for me to ask Ebay to step in & resolve this.

Instead, this morning on the 20th March, I find the seller has just flat out rejected the return request but with no explanation/message, & this means now I have no way to ask ebay to step in! Case is closed. When I try ebay chat help I get stuck in a loop with the automated bot. This is why I am resorting to asking the community.

I've done nothing wrong here and it has been so hard to get a resolution on this. 

I don't understand what I can do next as at every turn I hit a wall. Ebay help/chat is next to useless here.

thanks

[jckl1957]

The seller has not kept their promises and I have no intention of defending them.

However, you needed to open a return case as soon as you realised the fault.

The Ebay Money Back Guarantee only covers you for 30 days after receipt so, as you are outside of that period, the seller was able to close the case.

You could try your payment provider for a chargeback but they don't deal in partial refunds and you would have to return your purchase.

[baver3016]

Thanks, I see what you mean. So frustrated as there is no option other than raising a returns case, and at the time the seller had agreed to partially refund.  Given he had a 100% positive feedback rating I took him at his work he would partially refund.

I don't think I have any recourse other than leaving negative feedback. 

So frustrated. 

thanks for your help.