Sellers Exploiting Poor Buyer Support

[ramsouthwest]

I have noticed quite a bit recently with items purchased that have either not arrived/been received or the wrong items being received that there is no support anymore. It has happened a few times in the last few months and has put me off.

I bought a car alarm battery that wasn't cheap at almost £30, Waited a month and when it arrived it was the wrong configuration. I checked with what I had ordered - definitely the wrong item so raised it with the seller. They said they would accept it back if it was faulty - I explained it wasn't faulty, it was the incorrect item. No refund, No return!

Again, I bought some lights. They never arrived, but stated delivered - where to who knows? I raised it with the seller - failed to respond. So Ebay closed the case.  No Item, No Refund.

Not just me either. My wife bought a car part. Went to collect - didn't know what we were talking about, sent on our way (3 hour drive) Contacted Seller, blocked us. £168 No Refund, No Item. Ebay weren't interested.

So is this the 'in' scam now? Have you experienced similar where you as a buyer just have to accept your lose your money?

[tobiasd4]

You should have opened item not as described case (seller can't refuse this type).

They supply returns label, you post back for full refund.

Ignore seller excuses.

[ramsouthwest]

I did do this - only it appears the sellers are using the 'faulty' clause to sidestep the issue. Ebay used to step in, but that appears not to be the case anymore. Even if you raise it with them, nothing happens.

I had similar with a carb for a mower. Was clearly counterfeit and leaked badly from everywhere, but seller would not accept a return unless I could send a photo with matching numbers. It was the same type he was claiming, it was HIS carb that had no model numbers - so again, side stepped buyer protection as I could not prove matching numbers. My carb matched his description of carb number - that to me was all that mattered. Once again, another ebay scam they get away with. Ebay not interested.

[jckl1957]

The seller can't insist on anything - when you start a return (or open a case for item not received) you do not have to communicate with the seller at all, and they cannot  impose any conditions.

As long as you open a case through Ebay within the allowed timeframe and choose the correct reason for a return, the seller has no option but to accept the return.

I think you don't understand how the Money Back Guarantee works,

As a seller rather than a buyer, I can honestly state that Ebay favours the buyer, not the seller in cases, but you do need to follow the process correctly.