26th Oct
Member for well over 20 years, first time of selling on Ebay.
I was the seller in an Ebay transaction (Item no: 257167708086). I sent 2 coins packaged securely to the buyer - the item was collected from my home and I received a confirmation from Royal Mail - all under the terms of Ebay's Simple Delivery.
Subsequently the buyer reported to me that the package when it arrived had an opening/slit in the corner and the package only contained 1 coin. He duly reported the matter to Ebay.
Ebay wrote to me immediately, ".... Since you chose Simple Delivery, we’ve got everything covered from here. There’s nothing you need to do. We’ll take care of delivery, resolve any further issues, and inform you when the request is closed."
Subsequently Ebay has taken the very simple situation I had & turned into many strange events & cases with labels that are confusing:
28th Oct Item not received Case # 5367076786
28th Oct Item not received Case # 5367076786 This case has been closed.
1st Nov Return 5304310452: Return requested
3rd Nov return Case #5367528275: We’re reviewing the buyer’s return
8th Nov return Case # 5367528275: We refunded the buyer on your behalf
I have appealed & just heard of their decision to decline.
The buyer did not want to return the coin that he received. He said so in messages including a ".. seems stupid to me". He was coerced into doing so by Ebay who told him that was the only way he'll receive a refund. Since that time Ebay has faciilitated the return(1 coin missing), debited me with the buyers original costs of purchase and the postal charges for that and put at risk the 1 coin that remained. That coin is now safely received by me.
During this period I have spoken with 4-5 Ebay agents without gaining a proper understanding as to what on earth they are doing. During my very last such chat I asked why the contract & promises from Ebay regarding Simple Delivery cases have not been honoured. I was told that they had not (yet) reneged on it, but that I must wait for the return and report a defective return which I did. I'm now told this morning that they will not be refunding me beacuse return was defective because the delivery was defective - not a surprise there. I cannot see anything here apart from plain robbery.
It seems as if a (Small) court claim is the only remedy I have. However, I thought I'll post here in case someone may be able to advise me of anything else that I might try first.
[see "what is Simple Delivery?" at the URL https://www.ebay.co.uk/sellercentre/postage/simple-delivery#eligible
I focus on these parts of that outline:
"Once your item sells, you’ll receive a prepaid printable label and QR code, which automatically includes tracking for your order so you can get paid faster. The best part is your items are fully protected in case of loss or damage in transit."
"From the moment your item is scanned by the courier until delivery confirmation, the full value of the item is covered against loss or damage during transit. Plus, you won’t have to worry about responding to buyer claims."]
