eBay

johnwash1 · ‎25-07-2025

I've just tried listing a watch with a smashed glass (should have left battery replacement to the professionals). To my surprise the category spares/repair is missing, I had to list it as 'used', though I did do as I see other sellers doing, and put spares/repair in the title.

Why is ebay omitting this category? Surely watch enthusiasts would want this?

I've just checked out Vinted. Similar problem there, the worst condition offered is 'Satisfactory'. But, as on ebay, there are plenty of sellers offering spares/repair.

In contrast, ebid does have a 'not working or parts' category. Yet though they have well over 2,000 watches listed, when you narrow it by that category, zilch. I'm mystified.

Is there some UK law, you're not supposed to sell a watch if it's not in working condition, even if you state so?

And I couldn't even figure out whether I was listing with SD or Perfect Delivery (as I call the old way of doing things). So I listed it with free postage and will figure it out if/when it sells.

thepillenwerfer · ‎25-07-2025

It isn't just watches where there's no "For Parts or Not Working" option.

All you can do is state it's faulty in both the title, condition description and main description and hope that if somebody complains that it doesn't work e-Bay will see sense.

Cacas vendit.

lucy_farmer · ‎25-07-2025

'...and hope that if somebody complains that it doesn't work e-Bay will see sense. '

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I don't think this will happen 🙁

Any complaints/returns etc will not be looked at by a human (who *might* see sense). The computer will just register 'not working' , and as there is no category for 'not working' , computer will say no and the seller will have to deal with it..

Even in other cases where buyers have knowingly bought 'not working' stuff, they have been able to return it, as it wasn't as easy to fix as they'd hoped.

plpmr · ‎25-07-2025

no matter what you put in the description if eBay get involved they go by their 'used' rule -

"An item that has been previously used. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or an item that has been returned to the seller after a period of use. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections"

4_bathrooms · ‎25-07-2025

@plpmr wrote:
no matter what you put in the description if eBay get involved they go by their 'used' rule -

"An item that has been previously used. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or an item that has been returned to the seller after a period of use. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections"

The definition of "Used" varies by category. For "Accessories, Jewellery & Watches" the definition is:

"Used: An item that has been previously worn. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections"

Give me ambiguity or give me something else.

johnwash1 · ‎26-07-2025

@4_bathrooms wrote:
@plpmr wrote:
no matter what you put in the description if eBay get involved they go by their 'used' rule -

"An item that has been previously used. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or an item that has been returned to the seller after a period of use. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections"
The definition of "Used" varies by category. For "Accessories, Jewellery & Watches" the definition is:

"Used: An item that has been previously worn. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections"

Thanks. So I'm not doing anything against the rules then. A smashed glass would certainly be an imperfection! 🙂

But how strange that ebay don't offer spares/repair as a separate condition. You'd think it would be something that amateur repairers would want, e.g. search for all broken watches less than a tenner. Still this is ebay, not much point in me telling them how to run a business.