Buyers claiming defective, even though it was described. Ebay sides instantly with buyer

[yamatoisland]

I recently sold a camera. The camera works amazing but the lens does not. Therefore I listed as used, and put in the title to read the description. In the description I repeatedly said the camera body works great and will work great with other lenses, but the lens shows an error and may not work due to bad contacts. Due to that I listed at the market price of the body alone and the lens was essentially free. I also said you can still use the lens , as cameras have modes to use lenses that aren’t detected or supported.

Few weeks later and buyer claim’s defective saying the camera show error with lens even though I DESCRIBED THAT. And is not like this person cant read they dont have basic english skills. His excuse was that when I said it may be a contact issue that may be dirty as a suggestion he took is as fully working and and just needs cleaning. Even though I said clearly the lens shows error which I repeatedly quoted myself during the dispute. He continues to say its my fault for not being clear. Like think about it, if the lens just needed a quick contact wipe to work then I would take 10 seconds to do it. Its common sense. Ebay instantly sides with buyer.

[yamatoisland]

Im sorry for the long writing im simply annoyed on how fast ebay sides with buyers. Buyers need to read

[reallynicestamps]

" I regret you are unhappy with your purchase. Please return the camera and lens for a refund."

Rinse.

Repeat.

You may have to pay for return shipping.

[recped]

This is the parameters of an item listed as "used"

If the item is not "fully functional" it should not be listed as "used". When there is a conflict between the condition parameter and the description the buyer will ALWAYS win.

When listing any item that is not "fully functional" the correct condition is "for parts only". That would also apply to any item that you are unable to fully test.

[yamatoisland]

Yeah but it is fully functional and said that it's tested but read description. As the camera being sold was working fine. Then I specified saying the lens doesn't work and it's just been included.

[ricarmic]

Unfortunately we can't count on buyers reading the description, even in my generally pretty safe (stamp) world I've had buyers who haven't even read the whole TITLE let alone the description.....

[brettjet38]

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@yamatoisland wrote:
Yeah but it is fully functional and said that it's tested but read description. As the camera being sold was working fine. Then I specified saying the lens doesn't work and it's just been included.

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"As the camera being sold was working fine. Then I specified saying the lens doesn't work and it's just been included."

You should have listed and sold the camera without the lens...

[ilikehockeyjerseys]

eBay doesn't arbitrate their buyer protection cases. They do take action against buyers who violate rules and terms related to buying on the site. For that to happen, it usually has to be something very blatant. It also usually requires repeat behaviour. 

This situation is a learning experience. The buyer should have read the listing, but you also should have technically listed the camera as for parts/not working since your item didn't meet eBay's criteria for a used item. A used item has to be functional.

In the future, a better thing to do would be to only sell the body. For liability reasons, it is not worth including the lens, even if you don't need it. Even if you don't advertise the lens, I would not send it to the buyer as a throw in, because you risk getting a buyer who doesn't understand that it was a broken lens you threw in, and you're back at square one. Either sell the body by itself, list it as for parts/repair, or source a working lens if it boosts the value of the overall package.

You have to understand that eBay's buyer protection program means that if a buyer feels an item was not as described, you are required to resolve it by covering the cost of a return shipping label and providing a refund. It is not a case of eBay siding or not siding with the buyer. That's how the program works. If a buyer operates in bad faith, you can report them to eBay as part of the process, but in all but the most egregious cases of return fraud you will still be required to carry out the return. eBay might remove the buyer from the buyer protection program based on your report.

There are some newer mechanism that allow sellers to hold back parts of a refund based on buyers damaging an item, or possibly based on other criteria. I am not entirely familar with this process. 

In the event the buyer leaves you a negative feedback, eBay may agree to remove it since you can demonstrate that they didn't read the listing and opened a return based on a problem that was stated in the listing. With that said, because you categorized the item as 'used' instead for 'for parts or repair', they might deny this request. 

[ilikehockeyjerseys]

In short, your options are to either:

1) Politely invite them to open a return, provide a return label if they open one, refund the item if it is returned and delivered to you.

2) Attempt to negotiate a partial refund that makes more economic sense for you than a return label, that the buyer is also more happy with than a return label.

You don't have to do any of the above unless they open a formal return. In a situation where you are in the wrong, you may want to be proactive and help the buyer because it's fair.

Otherwise, if the buyer is in the wrong, you aren't obligated to take any action until they open a return. At that point, you have to resolve the return by eBay's deadline. If you do not resolve a return by eBay's deadline, they will refund the buyer anyways. The buyer will get to keep the item. You will also get a defect on your account. So it makes no sense to leave a return unresolved. 

[kenneth686321]

No, the item you sold IS NOT fully functional. When you list in the used category you acknowledge that ALL parts of your item fully functions which your item IS NOT. You sold a camera AND lens which is considered ONE item. This means all parts of the item must be fully functioning meaning that BOTH the camera and lens must be fully tested and functional which it is not eventhough you stated clearly in your listing. When there is that contradiction Ebay will have to side with the buyer. Next time list it in the parts and repair category or sell the bodyseperately as others have said.

Yes the buyer is also being an complete idiot for not reading your listing properly.