I think I'm just venting - it doesn't seem much can be done. I sold a 55+ year old sofa a couple of weeks ago on ebay. It was described as 'mid century' and in used condition. I included photos. It was up as 'collection only'. A bidder sent a lot of questions which I answered with complete honesty (including the fact that it isn't comfortable to sleep on!). She won and organised a courier. She didn't ask if that was ok, just did it. I was ok with that luckliy - though I was sure to say it was at her own risk - and expense. (The couriers arrived at 9pm, having given two hours notice they were coming to collect it and were a shambles - but that's another matter). The buyer rang me at 10.20pm the next day (yes ten twenty, in the evening) to tell me at great length how 'thrilled' she was with it - 'amazing', 'beautiful', 'very, very happy'. Four days later she emails to say she wants a refund as the sofa is not as described. I was speechless. She sent 14+ emails in the next 8 hours (and many more since then), demanding a refund, that I collect it immediately (she's 300 miles away), that it was filthy, how upset she was, that she wanted to negotiate on professional cleaning bills*, that she'd found bugs in it (which I was really insulted by), that she'd had to throw away her new vacuum cleaner because of the bugs. She was going to put it outside, due to it's filthy condition and, yes 'the bugs'. I was at work all day - outside - and could barely look at my phone, never mind read all these messages, never mind respond to them all. I did of course reply to say it was an old sofa, accurately described with recent photos and I thought we should get ebay involved asap. I did however say that I would accept the sofa back - provided it was in the condition it left - but I wouldn't pay for a courier / collect it. *I will not negotiate on cleaning fees - I did not claim it was clean, I said it was 'used' - though it appeared to be and has always had a blanket over it in my parents house (no smoking or shoes allowed in the house - no eating or drinking unless sat at the table - yes, they were quite strict!). Who expects a sofa made in the 60s to be immaculate?! I also saw that ebay's 'money back guarantee' is invalidated if the buyer uses a third party to collect and put this in a list of bullet points as to why she wasn't entitled to a refund (though, like I say, I would provide one even though I think it's clear I shouldn't have to). Many, many more emails from her later (I must have had 25 by now) she finally did get ebay involved - who promptly (in less than 10 minutes judging by the gap in the emails) found in her favour. I think they just read the 'not as described' and that was it. Failed to read any of my points. So now I have to wait and see if she does return it - if she does I have to pay the postage. I'm hoping she won't be able to get postage for it but given how frankly appalling this experience has been to date I'm not counting on it. In the meantime the payment for the sofa is on hold in my Paypal account because, of course, ebay control that. Now I have a message that reads "eBay Customer Service has placed the case on hold until Dec. 27 to allow time to provide additional documentation." I don't know who is meant ot be providing what? What can I say / provide that's not already been said?! Would ebay even read it? In despair - on top of all the other Tier 4 misery. Any thoughts / commiseration welcome.
... View more
8E9s4l90J7BQHRIZOM2g~~60_7.JPG "carltonconsumables14"){kind=avatar}
