Buyer is asking me to repair a watch purchased months ago

[drinkcoffeee]

Bit of an odd one and I just want to be sure where I stand on this as a private seller.

I sold a brand new watch to a buyer back in early August. Transaction went fine with no issues. Today I received a message from the buyer to say that the glass face/screen has broke and they want me to either repair or replace the watch. I'm not at any liberty to do this, right? I had to go past 90 days to find the transaction. They've worn the watch I assume, as it wasn't sent like this, and they never made any complaints after it was delivered. So isn't it up to them to replace the screen themselves?

They said they will get eBay involved if I don't help them but it's past the 30 days money back guarantee so eBay won't do anything?

[robbtyke132010]

For sheer cheek this one really takes the biscuit - tell the buyer to go fly a kite.

[lucy_farmer]

'They said they will get eBay involved if I don't help them...'

I don't believe ebay will help them out here at all. It's well past the MBG period.

 Did they leave feedback for the original transaction?

If so, that's no longer able to be held over your head ....and I *think* 90 days since the sale is the limit for being able to leave feedback anyway(??)

[ile136yz]

eBay may take the view that your Private Account should be a Business Account, as the Buyer has approched you first, but has informed you they would get eBay involved.

It is up to you on how you want to handle this problem.

[drinkcoffeee]

LOL I feel like doing this. Maybe they're new to eBay and think I'm a shop they've bought from that can help them out, but even if they had purchased this in a shop, after almost four months, I'm pretty sure the shop would tell them to go fly that kite too.

[drinkcoffeee]

I thought they had left feedback, but I don't seem to see it now. Is it possible they removed it, can they do that?

[drinkcoffeee]

So it is possible eBay will help the buyer out? I hardly sell anything so how would eBay see my account as a business account? Can eBay just decide that?

[tommystrezures]

The reason @ile136yz  mentions this is in part its because you are selling new items, and not pre owned or used items.  It could give the appearance to ebay that you are buying items to sell on.

[sml192]

There is nothing the buyer can do through eBay now but, be aware, if they funded the purchase with a debit or credit card then they may still be in time to file a chargeback with their card issuer. 

[johnwash1]

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@drinkcoffeee wrote:

So it is possible eBay will help the buyer out? I hardly sell anything so how would eBay see my account as a business account? Can eBay just decide that?

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One of the risks of posting in these forums is that there are trolls who love to yank threads off topic, making accusations without even having the courtesy to ask if you're running a business.

To some extent it's understandable, because business sellers operate in a harsher regime than ebay offers private sellers.  And the recent change for private sellers, no final value fees, makes it even more irksome.  But they should be taking out their anger on the true culprits, ebay, who've created the tilted playing field.

Just ignore them and get back to discussing your original problem.  I'm no expert on such claims, but I think your main worry is not whether ebay will uphold the buyer's complaint, but whether they try to initiate a chargeback through their payment provider.

Perhaps politely suggest they claim on their household insurance?

[drinkcoffeee]

I wasn't even aware this was a thing if bought through eBay. So the buyer's chargeback with their bank is successful and eBay will deduct the money directly from me?

[ett1954]

@johnwash1  - Whilst I agree with your comments regarding the true culprits the seller’s main worry should be that the buyer is aware of their legal rights should the seller be trading as an unregistered business - a full refund for any reason within 12 months of purchase together with any action taken by trading standards If they were reported to them and they were to investigate.

@drinkcoffeee - hardly selling anything is irrelevant if you are buying to sell.  That would define you as a business seller. Only you can answer that question and that should determine your action with the buyer.

[sml192]

If the buyer does file a chargeback (they have 120 days from date of purchase in which to do so) then you will have the opportunity to challenge it but unfortunately 'Item not as described' chargebacks are very difficult to defend especially as the decision is made by the buyer's card issuer, not eBay.  Ebay normally only provide seller protection against an 'Item not as described' chargeback if an eBay Money Back Guarantee case for the same reason has been closed in the seller's favour, so if you were to challenge the chargeback and it was unsuccessful then eBay would deduct the money from you plus a £16 fee.

As your buyer is fast approaching the deadline for filing a chargeback hopefully that won't happen. 

[drinkcoffeee]

I'm not buying to sell though. The watch I had was part of collection of merchandise related to a TV show I had had for many years and I'm selling the collection on to downsize.

[ett1954]

Then you have nothing to worry about. Just ignore the buyer and block them from communicating with you.

[sagr2519]

Is it possible that the watch came with instructions that mentioned a guarantee (1 year, 5 years, etc.)? If so, explain that you sold it as a private seller, so the guarantee isn't valid. Say that if it would be valid, you would have written about it in the description or item specifics. 

[annieuk]

Their claim is beyond ridiculous in my opinion.  Even if they had bought the watch in a shop - for a higher price I assume - the warranty would not cover parts that are subject to wear and tear?! Especially after more than 90 days! Some people just try their luck.. I believe you are a nice person, otherwise you would not even consider such a claim.