eBay

cameronrbrown · ‎06-14-2016

So A few months ago I sold a kiteboarding harness to a guy, he claimed it was defective, I claimed he just didn't understand how it worked. Long story short, he opened a buyer dispute, ebay sided with him, he kept the harness, I got a negative account balance and quit using ebay out of frustration.

Now a few months have gone by and I logged in again today. It looks like he has since sold that same kiteboarding harness as "excellent condition" "works great" to another buyer

He essentially stole my item, left be with the negative account balance, and flipped it for a profit. I called eBay today and went through 20 minutes of garbage from them before they said they wouldn't do anything and I still owed them money

Thoughts?

pierrelebel · ‎06-15-2016

Welcome to Canada.

You are based in the USA. Not sure why you are posting on eBay-Canada.

In general terms, whenever a buyer express dissatisfaction with an item, the only reply that makes sense is to request an immediate return for a full refund. As you have learned from your experience, there is nothing to gain arguing with a customer.

momcqueen · ‎06-15-2016

I would call ebay Customer Service for whatever it might be worth.

Be patient, you will have to explain your case to six different people before maybe finding someone who *gets* what you are trying to tell them. Even still, you might be out of luck unless you are prepared file a police report with your local jurisdiction for theft or fraud.

Good luck.

pierrelebel · ‎06-15-2016

I do not see any "evidence" of fraud, none.

There is no information about the condition of the item received and later (if it is the same) resold.

Was it repaired, reconditioned? We do not know, nor does eBay.

mr.elmwood · ‎06-15-2016

When a customer expresses dissatisfaction, I have two choices, as a retailer. One is to argue endlessly and get it tossed in my face. The other is to refund and move on.

You chose the former. I choose the latter.

This is business, not personal. You have made it personal.

There are three sides to every story: yours, theirs, what really happened. All we have, so far, is your version of your side of the story, as told by you. How about copies of both listings?

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mr.elmwood · ‎06-15-2016

I found the original listing:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/171960521273

A lifted picture, one, a lifted description. Makes it sound brand spanking new. Buyer didn't get that. Ultimately, no actual pictures and no actual description.

"Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing."

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pjcdn2005 · ‎06-15-2016

It is unlikely that eBay can or want to do anything now. Their only option would be to compensate the seller themselves and chances are very slim that they will do that. There,s no way for them to know if this was the same item or if the buyer had 'fixed' the item and then sold it. The seller chose to fight the claim and lost but if they had accepted the return they would have the item back. It's unfortunate but it rarely pays to refuse to take an item back.

momcqueen · ‎06-15-2016

@pierrelebel wrote:
I do not see any "evidence" of fraud, none.

There is no information about the condition of the item received and later (if it is the same) resold.

Was it repaired, reconditioned? We do not know, nor does eBay.

What we see or think as bystanders about the merit of the Original Poster's claim of fraud or original listing is mostly meaningless. We are the peanut gallery here.

If the OP firmly believes he has been defrauded, he should go to his local police and ask them to investigate. This will generate an incident number which may then generate a report which may or may not indicate it likely or unlikely fraud or theft was commit. It is the police report which the OP may take to ebay or paypal and ask for an appeal.

That's what I would do.

Actually, no. What I would have done is avoid this kind of situation entirely.

If ever you have a claim from a buyer that your item is defective, first plead ignorance and then apologize profusely and, thirdly, tell the buyer to please return the item for a full refund. Fighting a claim that an item is defective is pointless. You're out-of-pocket postage costs there and back but at least you have your item (defective or not) back in your hands to resell or not. Depending on whether it really is defective. And then relist with detailed operating instructions for the next buyer. Knowledge is power.

pierrelebel · ‎06-15-2016

"What I would have done is avoid this kind of situation entirely."

We all agree.

mr.elmwood · ‎06-15-2016

@pierrelebel wrote:
"What I would have done is avoid this kind of situation entirely."

We all agree.

Big ditto here.

It costs, less, in time, effort, aggravation, and money, for me to simply refund and move on.

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reallynicestamps · ‎06-16-2016

It's late and I know I am grumpy but-- when I read the OP I was thinking "an American who is into extreme sports-- symptoms of testosterone poisoning ."

mr.elmwood · ‎06-16-2016

@reallynicestamps wrote:
It's late and I know I am grumpy but-- when I read the OP I was thinking "an American who is into extreme sports-- symptoms of testosterone poisoning ."

I live in a town full of Earls. Got their grade 10 diploma and a jacked up truck.

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