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The Marketplace => Selling Venues => eBay => Topic started by: luke on August 26, 2014, 08:49:49 AM

Title: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on August 26, 2014, 08:49:49 AM
I sold a like new Samsonite Carry On Luggage Bag, like most carry on's, it comes with multiple compartments to put your items into.

My description read.

This Samsonite bag is in LIKE NEW condition, it's very clean as you can see in the photo's. 

It measures..

 18 inches wide
 12 inches tall
   7 inches deep.

It has many pockets and zippered openings as seen in the photo's a really comfortable premium shoulder strap and Handle..

Weights approximately 3.5 lbs empty.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on August 26, 2014, 08:55:35 AM
A guy bought it for $11.99 which is a great price for this item, and paid about $10 in shipping..

Then, after he receives it, he opens a case and states..

Quote
Hello, the bag was described precisely as: "18 inches wide, 12 inches tall, 7 inches deep". In fact it is 17 inches wide and 11.25 inches tall and therefor not usable for the purpose for which I purchased it - to carry a video projector 17.5 inches wide by 11.5" tall. I wish to return the item for a full refund, including my shipping cost BOTH WAYS since the size, which is critical to my needs, was incorrectly stated. Please advise.

I replied..

This Samsonite Luggage Travel bag, is not meant to store and protect a Video Projector properly. You can buy specific cases to properly store Video Projectors. The items measurements on a soft case will vary on how you measure this item. This item was describe describe properly and it is a very nice item. I do have a 14 day return policy, you can return the item at your own cost and I will refund $11.99, when I receive the item back. Thank you!

He Replied

Quote
Regardless of my chosen use for the bag, the measurable dimensions provided are significantly erroneous. The bag is not "soft", it has a measurable structure and you provided specific dimensions. Had you measured/stated them correctly I would not be requesting a full refund - including shipping.

I replied

They are not different, You are concerned about inner dimensions of one compartment on the bag. Most luggage bags people are concerned about max exterior dimensions so it will be able to pass for carry-on (Including strap) length. The dimension I provided are correct. The proper way to identify on ebay is total exterior dimensions with all attachments. (Straps and handle and exterior pockets) You assumed, the inner dimensions of one compartment on this case with rounded corners will fit a rigid projector, something this case is not made for. That's on you, you should of clarified this with me and asked if the large interior compartment will hold your projector, because you were purchasing this for abnormal usage. Again I will honor my 14 day return policy and provide you $11.99, when I receive the item back.

He Replied.

Quote
Umm, no. The case is one inch less tall and wide than stated. I only mentioned my intended use to emphasize the need for you, the seller, to provide accurate dimensions. I believe you are obligated, at the very least, to refund my purchase price and original shipping cost. If not acceptable than we will rely on arbitration.

I replied

The dimensions provided were accurate. We will have to rely on arbitration at this point. Ebay will review the case. I honestly feel the measurements provided are accurate according to the FAA luggage sizing method which the standard. I also feel you have buyers remorse, because you didnt ask if the internal compartment would fit your item. There are many pockets and compartments to this item. I stated the overall dimensions.

He replied.

Quote
The bag - external dimension - is 17" wide NOT 18" as described. BTW, I recommend that to avoid confusion in the future you simply add the phrase "measurements provided are accurate according to the FAA luggage sizing method" which would either satisfy the purchaser or prompt further inquiry. But I understood 18" to mean 18" period.

I replied.

The external measurement is 18, I measured the luggage. When you go to an airport your luggage needs to drop into the pre-defined cutout and if it doesn't fit. You must check that luggage. That means all clips and accessories have to be measured. Also It does matter that you purchased this for an un-orthodox use for a video projector. If you were purchasing this item for it's intended use. You would of been happy and felt like you got a tremendous deal on the item, in which you did. When you buy something for un-conventional means that the item was not designed for and the listing stated one size (for the combines length and wide of all the pockets, compartment and accessories). You know that your specific use requirements to house a valuable Video Projector in, you should of checked with me to see if the internal compartment would house this item. You didn't check, you didn't do you due diligence. Have I received a question, I would of advise against it and not sold it to you.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on August 26, 2014, 09:00:47 AM
Now, I'm sure this will go to eBay arbitration where they will make a ruling on the case. I'm not sure which way they will decide, but I feel I'm in the right, or I would not be arguing.

I feel this person is just trying to scam free luggage because he and I both know it doesn't pay for me to pay him for the item back...

What are your thoughts and who do you think ebay will side with in this instance?
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: Travis on August 26, 2014, 09:42:13 AM
Yeah, I think he's just hoping you'll just issue a refund and let him keep the item, rather than paying the return shipping.

Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: StorageAuctionFinds on August 26, 2014, 09:53:16 AM
Due to my experiences in a case like this, eBay will side with him, but require him to return the bag at his own cost and then require you to refund the total amount he paid purchase and shipping charges. Now if the $10 shipping charge is the amount it actually cost to ship the item to him, I would assume that would be the amount he would have to pay to ship it back so on his end it would only be a refund of the $11.99 really so he would lose $10 in shipping and so would you, eBay would refund your FVF and Paypal would refund transaction fees, so the only winner here is Ding Ding Ding USPS!!! Got $20 for shipping an item back and forth :93:
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on August 26, 2014, 11:00:52 AM
If that's how ebay decides.

I will either be out 11.99 + Shipping (if I say keep it)

If I want it back I will be out the same - minus final value fees and have the luggage back.

We know which one I'm going to choose.. :)

 
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: StorageAuctionFinds on August 26, 2014, 11:42:20 AM
There have been 2 items in the past that I have sold that have been returned to me and in the end I have resold for more to a 2nd buyer. The first one, I had an item that I did not have the means to test, I sold it with a gaurantee to work or return for full refund, the buyer received it it did not work and therfore returned it. I then relisted it as untested for parts or repair and it sold for about $20 more than it did the first time. covered all my original shipping and fees that I lost from the first sell. The second item I also did not have a way to test so I sold it as used. In the description I said untested, not gauranteed to work. The buyer received it and it didn't work therefore he complained, I refused to accept return because it said as-is in listing. He opened a case eBay decided in his favor and forced refund after he returned the item. I then relisted it and instead of used I selected "Not working for parts or repair" and ended up reseliing it for about $5 more than the first time. Second buyer was more than happy with it. Lesson here I learned is that if you don't test it, it is best to select the eBay provided condition "Not working for parts or repair" as I believe I lost the case because it does not matter what the description stated, the conditon I chose was "used" and eBay defines that as a working item.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: Travis on August 26, 2014, 11:43:47 AM
If he's really a scammer, he might not want to pay the shipping to return the item and just decide to keep it.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on August 26, 2014, 12:49:00 PM
What concerns me is this, eBay sides with him, he returns it.  I receive the item and re-measure it and it's 18 inches.  Then what recourse do I have? He provided no proof with a ruler to prove my statement incorrect.

If I was making the complaint, that would be the first thing I would do, is provide proof that the measurement is off.

He hasn't offered that as proof, which makes me think he's full of ****.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: Travis on August 26, 2014, 01:16:34 PM
The guy probably won't even return the item if eBay rules he has to pay shipping.  But either way, your time is more valuable than this. I wouldn't spend several hours going back and forth this guy, eBay & PayPal over twenty bucks.

Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on August 26, 2014, 03:55:39 PM
The guy probably won't even return the item if eBay rules he has to pay shipping.  But either way, your time is more valuable than this. I wouldn't spend several hours going back and forth this guy, eBay & PayPal over twenty bucks.

What else am I going to do all day at work?
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: alloro on August 26, 2014, 03:57:06 PM
Then, after he receives it, he opens a case and states..

I replied..

Well I'm usually all for a seller's argument because buyers tend to read into an ad what they want to see instead of what is really there. In this case the buyer is 100% in the right. What he wanted to use the luggage for is of no consequence, you gave measurements and those measurement you posted (according to the buyer) are not accurate. Therefore the item is not as described. IMO you owe him a refund and are responsible for the shipping cost both ways.

Anytime I include measurements I use the word "approximately" or "roughly" just to avoid the very problem you just had.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: Travis on August 26, 2014, 04:33:39 PM
What else am I going to do all day at work?

Right!
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on August 26, 2014, 05:59:25 PM
Well I'm usually all for a seller's argument because buyers tend to read into an ad what they want to see instead of what is really there. In this case the buyer is 100% in the right. What he wanted to use the luggage for is of no consequence, you gave measurements and those measurement you posted (according to the buyer) are not accurate. Therefore the item is not as described. IMO you owe him a refund and are responsible for the shipping cost both ways.

Anytime I include measurements I use the word "approximately" or "roughly" just to avoid the very problem you just had.

Why would you side with the buyer, I say it's 18 inches he says its 17 inches.. Do you have the luggage to prove who is right or wrong. Why would you take his word over mine? He needs to offer facts to back up his statement, I need a photograph of it being measured properly, if he want's to dispute my measurements.

So far he just babbling, until he shows proof..
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: alloro on August 27, 2014, 03:02:49 AM
Why would you side with the buyer, I say it's 18 inches he says its 17 inches..

Because he's telling you that he needed a case that was 18" wide and the one you sent is only 17". All that matters here is that you cannot prove the case is the dimensions you listed them to be.

It is safe to assume that he would not be complaining to you if the case was indeed 18" wide. All he has to do is file an item not as described dispute with eBay. Then, unless YOU can prove the dimensions are exactly as you listed them he will win the dispute, you will eventually have to fully refund him 100% the cost of the item, plus shipping both ways upon the return of the case. This is not a winnable dispute for you. Your best move here is to take it back, refund him the cost and the shipping for both ways, and hope the buyer leaves it at that. If you do not, eBay will force you to do it anyway and the buyer will most likely leave you negative feedback. You are the seller and you have an unsatisfied buyer. Whether or not you think it's fair, it's up to you to make things right with the buyer. That's both the downside and the responsibility of being a seller.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: StorageAuctionFinds on August 27, 2014, 09:02:47 AM
Because he's telling you that he needed a case that was 18" wide and the one you sent is only 17". All that matters here is that you cannot prove the case is the dimensions you listed them to be.

 Then, unless YOU can prove the dimensions are exactly as you listed them he will win the dispute, you will eventually have to fully refund him 100% the cost of the item, plus shipping both ways upon the return of the case.

I don't know how many eBay dispute cases you have had to deal with Alloro, but eBay has never forced me to pay the return shipping, they have always stated the buyer has to pay return shipping with tracking to prove they returned it. If the seller chooses to refund the return shipping as well, great but eBay has never even hinted at that in the few cases I have dealt with.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on August 27, 2014, 09:50:06 AM
I don't know how many eBay dispute cases you have had to deal with Alloro, but eBay has never forced me to pay the return shipping, they have always stated the buyer has to pay return shipping with tracking to prove they returned it. If the seller chooses to refund the return shipping as well, great but eBay has never even hinted at that in the few cases I have dealt with.

Yes, I think this is the worst case scenario. I think he will have to pay return shipping, I might have to return his original shipping charges.

If I receive the item and it's damaged from him trying to shove a video projector into it, then he will need to file an insurance claim with the carrier to get his money back.

Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: alloro on August 27, 2014, 01:47:42 PM
they have always stated the buyer has to pay return shipping with tracking to prove they returned it.

If the buyer changed his mind and just wants to return an item, or if he ordered a wrong item then you are correct. If however it is an 'item not as described' case, then it's considered to be a 100% fault on the seller's end and the buyer pays nothing. The buyer might have to initially pay for the return shipping, but if he requests it be included in the refund upon delivery he usually gets it.

Here's a related article from last year. ecommercebytes.com/C/blog/blog.pl?/pl/2013/2/1360534278.html
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: Travis on August 27, 2014, 01:48:58 PM
If I receive the item and it's damaged from him trying to shove a video projector into it, then he will need to file an insurance claim with the carrier to get his money back.

 ;)  Wink wink.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: alloro on August 27, 2014, 01:57:14 PM
Here is the eBay policy that covers this: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/money-back-guarantee.html

When an item doesn't match the listing description

If a buyer receives an item that doesn't match the listing description, the buyer needs to request a return from My eBay. The seller should address the buyer's concern and offer a solution, such as accepting a return, offering a replacement or refund. 

If the buyer doesn't receive a response or solution, or returns the item but doesn't receive a refund or replacement from the seller, the buyer can ask us to step in and help.

If asked to step in and help, we review the item description and any other information about the item that the buyer and seller provide. If we can't determine that the item matches the listing description, if the seller has already offered a return, or the seller's stated return window and policy applies, we may ask the buyer to return the item to the seller.

When an item is returned to the seller

The buyer must return the item in the same condition in which it was received.

The seller is required to accept the return at the same location specified in the listing.

The cost of return shipping is the seller's responsibility. For return of items with a total cost of $750 or more, we require signature confirmation.

The seller pays for any customs charges on the returned item.

Either we generate a return shipping label or the seller can provide a label. We add the cost of an eBay-generated label to the seller's monthly eBay invoice.

When a return shipping label is made available to the buyer and/or the buyer chooses to purchase a separate label, the buyer won't be refunded by eBay for the cost of the label.

After confirming that the item was returned to the seller, we refund the full cost of the item and original shipping via PayPal. We require the seller to reimburse us for the amount. When the buyer arranges shipping or picks up the item, we may not refund the cost of original shipping or pickup.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on August 27, 2014, 06:33:29 PM
The only issue is, the item did match the description..

Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: StorageAuctionFinds on August 27, 2014, 10:37:22 PM
Alloro you're hilarious, that policy you quoted is not in effect until September 15, 2014, as stated right at the top of the page you linked to, the current policy is linked right below that. Previous eBay Money Back Guarantee - effective through September 14, 2014 Which states that the return shipping is the responsibility of the buyer unless the buyer and seller make other arrangements. So you are correct after the 15th of next month eBay is requiring sellers to pay for return shipping. But as of now it is on the buyer.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: alloro on August 28, 2014, 05:14:07 AM
The only issue is, the item did match the description.

Not according to the buyer and he is the one in possession of the bag, making him the only one that can measure it. You think you measured it correctly, but I'll bet you only roughly measured it, never thinking that an issue like this would come up. Like you said in your earlier post in this thread, airlines are more concerned about the maximum dimensions, so if you measured say 17-1/2" you would've put down 18" just to be safe...right?
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: alloro on August 28, 2014, 05:23:50 AM
Alloro you're hilarious,

Did you not read the article I posted the link to that was two posts above the one with the eBay link in it? The one that said eBay started taking return shipping charges out of seller's accounts. I then posted the eBay policy so luke can see how eBay wants to handle these disputes. Also keep in mind that the buyer has not, to our knowledge, filed a claim as of yet. If he knows his stuff and waits until September 15th, what are you going to say then Mr. Chuckles?
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: StorageAuctionFinds on August 28, 2014, 10:21:26 AM
Did you not read the article I posted the link to that was two posts above the one with the eBay link in it? The one that said eBay started taking return shipping charges out of seller's accounts. I then posted the eBay policy so luke can see how eBay wants to handle these disputes. Also keep in mind that the buyer has not, to our knowledge, filed a claim as of yet. If he knows his stuff and waits until September 15th, what are you going to say then Mr. Chuckles?

Yes eBay wants to handle things a certain way, but with these new changes they willl lose even more casual sellers and all they will be is a place to get cheap chinese crap.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: Travis on August 28, 2014, 10:37:09 AM
Let's be civil here guys. It's a forum. People will have varying opinions. Regardless of whether you disagree with another member, you can still be respectful.

Give  :victory: a chance.

Luke, if you would, let us know when eBay makes a decision. I'm curious to see how this works out.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on August 28, 2014, 10:40:59 AM
Did you not read the article I posted the link to that was two posts above the one with the eBay link in it? The one that said eBay started taking return shipping charges out of seller's accounts. I then posted the eBay policy so luke can see how eBay wants to handle these disputes. Also keep in mind that the buyer has not, to our knowledge, filed a claim as of yet. If he knows his stuff and waits until September 15th, what are you going to say then Mr. Chuckles?

I have a 14 day return policy, if he waited until then, he will surely of missed out.  But he filed the dispute, it will go to eBay for arbitration and we'll see what the outcome.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on August 28, 2014, 10:42:53 AM
Yes eBay wants to handle things a certain way, but with these new changes they willl lose even more casual sellers and all they will be is a place to get cheap chinese crap.

I think the Chinese will stop selling to be honest, because if they have to pay return shipping back to china, it won't cost under $2 like it does for them to ship to the US.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: alloro on August 28, 2014, 11:12:08 AM
I have a 14 day return policy, if he waited until then, he will surely of missed out. 

Yes and no. Don't you just love it when people say that. :)
Yes after 14-days he would've missed the return window for reasons like he bought the wrong one, or the color wasn't quite was he was expecting, buyer's remorse, etc. However, for an item not as described I believe he has 45 days, which might've or is about to be changed to 30 days.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: rulesforrebels on September 06, 2014, 11:50:03 AM
It's sad that ebay has become what it has become but I've learned basically to treat every listing like I"m selling it to a retarded 6 year old and go into great detail about any little problem or miscommunication there could possibly be because there are some bad buyers like this may be who will specifically target cheap items with fairly expensive in relationto the product shipping knowing if they complain it's oftentimes more costly to take the item back. You also have the not sketchy but just stupid people who don't read or who will make up issues just because they are picky.

On one of my accounts I'm allowed to charge up to a 20% restocking fee which is nice as that will typically cover shipping and any fees out of my pocket, in most scenarios if I get a return I actually profit.

I recently however had a crappy one. I was selling something used. Description was very detailed as were photos however ebay sided with buyer because I didn't have the word used in the title? THey give you so little space and your search ranking is based almost entirely on title and you want me to waste that valuable title space to put used when I could more accurately describe things in the desciption
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on September 06, 2014, 01:54:13 PM
I still don't know the outcome yet, I'm not even sure he escalated the case to ebay. Every day now I check, hoping I can just hit the close button on the case for the owner not responding to the last message sent.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: rulesforrebels on September 23, 2014, 09:41:35 AM
I still don't know the outcome yet, I'm not even sure he escalated the case to ebay. Every day now I check, hoping I can just hit the close button on the case for the owner not responding to the last message sent.

Yeah sometimes you luck out and if buyer doesn't respond the case just gets dropped I think.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on September 23, 2014, 10:12:06 AM
I have to wait 30 days before I can close this case, buyer has not escalated it yet..
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: alloro on September 23, 2014, 10:27:39 AM
I have to wait 30 days before I can close this case, buyer has not escalated it yet..

Has he left feedback yet?
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: Mike in SD on September 23, 2014, 11:44:54 AM
Gotta be honest, this whole scenario is just ridiculous. You're never going to grow your business wasting time on petty issues like this. Even if you're right, arguing back and forth with the buyer is going to get you nowhere, especially over an $11.99 item. The buyer wasn't being totally unreasonable, either. Next time, clearly state your return policies and give the buyer the refund.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on September 23, 2014, 12:14:52 PM
Gotta be honest, this whole scenario is just ridiculous. You're never going to grow your business wasting time on petty issues like this. Even if you're right, arguing back and forth with the buyer is going to get you nowhere, especially over an $11.99 item. The buyer wasn't being totally unreasonable, either. Next time, clearly state your return policies and give the buyer the refund.

It's not a business, I'm trying to grow, it's a hobby.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on September 23, 2014, 12:15:16 PM
Has he left feedback yet?

Not yet.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: alloro on September 23, 2014, 04:13:55 PM
Not yet.

That's a plus!
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: luke on September 24, 2014, 08:05:24 AM
Quote
This request was automatically closed because the maximum amount of time a request can remain open has been reached. You don't need to do anything else. The hold on this PayPal transaction has been removed.

I guess I win, by him not escalating the issue, he was trying to scam me to get a FREE item at my expense. He didn't want to give up the item, he just wanted it for FREE.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: PaulChau on June 24, 2015, 11:00:56 PM
I feel that it is really unfair that there is such a dispute option of “Item not as described” which buyers often take advantage of to their fullest benefit. Sometimes they just use that as an excuse to get a full refund for things that they do not need or want after they have received them. I know the protection policy is there to prevent any unfair transactions, but sellers are the ones being treated unfairly instead. For my previous posting of storage boxes, I measured them manually by hand and ensured they were exactly as described.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
Post by: alloro on June 24, 2015, 11:19:19 PM
I feel that it is really unfair that there is such a dispute option of “Item not as described” which buyers often take advantage of to their fullest benefit.

Come again...are you being serious? I've had at least a dozen times over the past 10 or so years where I received an item that was nothing like what was in the ad. After first going back to the seller and being told basically "too bad, it's close enough" I'll escalate my complaint to eBay. I've even had a couple with the balls to tell me I have to pay return shipping and then they'll only refund the cost of the item and not shipping in either direction...for their error.
Title: Re: Typical Ebay Dispute with a Buyer..
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