eBay returns?

[Carmudgeon]

I made an eBay purchase that didn't go as planned, with an item that doesn't match the pictured description.

I thought I was careful, and even messaged the seller before bidding, with a specific question about the item, why that question was posed, and they replied that it was as pictured, which was only 50% true -- the packaging matches but the contents do not.

Another discrepancy -- the listing clearly promotes "Breathe easy. Free shipping and returns" which I assume is an eBay policy, while the seller's listing says buyer is responsible for return shipping cost. Which claim takes priority there?

The seller is highly rated, and I don't really have a beef with them, but I thought I did my due diligence in asking before committing in asking specifically about one aspect of the item, and they failed to answer correctly. Probably more out of ignorance, or carelessness, not intent or malice, but still, not accurate.

Regardless, I will initiate the return process through eBay, but should I test the waters as well and try to deal with the seller? I'd be willing to eat the return shipping cost if it was my mistake, but it was not, and especially when I took pains to avoid any sort of misunderstanding.

Anyone else has a similar experience that can offer wisdom?

 

[football]

eBay almost always sides with the buyers. If one part of the listing says free returns, then I would go with that.

 

[dishdude]

File a return claim as item not as described, the seller will have to provide you with a prepaid shipping label to return the product and you'll get a refund. Item not as described claims always have return shipping paid by the seller no matter what the listing says.

 

[Carmudgeon]

Thank you both.

I understand that the pound of flesh will likely come from the seller, and I hate to see that as well, and am not trying to be some sort of jerk.

But at the same time, I don't think I should suffer for a situation I proactively tried to avert. Pictures are worth a thousand words, and "Item not as described" fits to a tee.

 

[CDNozzle]

Yep if it has the "breathe easy" language about returns, then you should be able to return it.

I know it feels a bit scummy, but you were deceived, so you should get the return.

Consider going ahead and disputing the charge on whatever card you used in case things turn for the worse, though, so you're not on the hook for the cost.

 

[dishdude]

Consider going ahead and disputing the charge on whatever card you used in case things turn for the worse, though, so you're not on the hook for the cost.

Not necessary, he'll get a full refund. Ebay doesn't play around with this.

 

[mrsilv04]

Not necessary, he'll get a full refund. Ebay doesn't play around with this.

No, they don't play around.

I had a "not as described" return with a "California" (read: China) seller. It was a carburetor that the listing said would fit my small engine, and when it arrived, it clearly didn't. When I requested the return, I included pictures to support my claim. Seller only gave me a partial refund.

I reported the partial refund to eBay, and eBay refunded the difference.

 

[69GTX]

100% EBay will side with buyer if the item is "not as described." Just show photos, description, etc to prove it.
It doesn't matter what a seller's listing or terms state. IF it's not as described.....they lose....and pay return shipping.
About the only way a seller can get around that is to state the item is in "unknown condition, could be damaged/broken
and not functioning. Good for parts only." And even then if the item gets damaged further from the listing photos, or
something in the photos is missing....you could still return it. "Breath easy" goes out the window for "not as described" listings.

 

[MaximumMini]

Send it back, you'll be fine.
I bought a radiator on ebay a few weeks back advertised as 2 row. When it arrived it was one row. The listing did not say FREE RETURNS.
I filed a return and described the problem, was immediately issued a free return label, returned it and got a full refund today (been checking bank activity).

Only once have I ever had issues with ebay returns but I think ebay is under greater pressure today to satisfy buyers with Amazon dominating the online market the way it is.

in that case (years ago) I bought Microsoft windows and could not install it because it kept saying the key was already used.
I paid like $135.00 for it which was about the going price at the time.
I had to contact the California atty generals office and file a complaint and only then did ebay offer a return.
Before I contacted Kamala Harris' office they adamantly refused.

 

[Elkins45]

File a return claim as item not as described, the seller will have to provide you with a prepaid shipping label to return the product and you'll get a refund. Item not as described claims always have return shipping paid by the seller no matter what the listing says.

I hd a seller say they were unable to generate a shipping label for a return on a new defective item. I coughed up the $6 but I wish now I had reported them to eBay and/or PayPal for cheaping out.

 

[Lubener]

Work it out with the seller. I have found that most highly rated sellers will be cooperative and do almost anything to avoid a bad rating from a buyer who is not happy.

 

[dishdude]

I hd a seller say they were unable to generate a shipping label for a return on a new defective item. I coughed up the $6 but I wish now I had reported them to eBay and/or PayPal for cheaping out.

That's the seller's problem. If they can't figure out how to purchase a label through ebay, you still get a refund they just don't get their item back.

 

[BrendanC]

ebay will side with the buyer 99% of the time and there are a few buyers that will take advantage of this. i sold a fully functioning motherboard (pulled from my system for an upgrade). the seller bent the pins trying to install an X99 intel processor (big chunky processors) then said it was defective and ebay made me eat the return shipping and cost of a now broken motherboard.

before i sell, i take a continuous video of the condition of an item with the box sitting next to it that i package it in. haven’t had an issue as a seller again.

 

[johnmyster]

I offer the following as an frequent flyer of the ebay returns system:

First, send a message to the seller with photos. The seller may refund/correct without you needing to return. It saves them from eating the return shipping costs.

Second, if no response, initiate a return for "product not described" using the same message and photos.

There is a slim and unlikely change that a combatant seller could dispute the return after the package makes it back to them, but this is very unlikely to be successful. The ebay tables are heavily tilted towards the buyer. Rest easy.

 

[Elkins45]

PayPal’s heavy bias toward the buyer is why is stopped sell in stuff on eBay. It’s too easy for someone to claim “item significantly not as described” and then send you back a box of sand so now they have your stuff and your money. Nowadays if I sell something to a stranger it’s either cash face-to-face or postal money order. I’ll happily use PayPal as a buyer but not as a seller.

 

[Carmudgeon]

Work it out with the seller. I have found that most highly rated sellers will be cooperative and do almost anything to avoid a bad rating from a buyer who is not happy.

I offer the following as an frequent flyer of the ebay returns system:

First, send a message to the seller with photos. The seller may refund/correct without you needing to return. It saves them from eating the return shipping costs.

Second, if no response, initiate a return for "product not described" using the same message and photos.

There is a slim and unlikely change that a combatant seller could dispute the return after the package makes it back to them, but this is very unlikely to be successful. The ebay tables are heavily tilted towards the buyer. Rest easy.

The seller acknowledged the discrepancy, and offered to send a true WYSIWYG replacement, in exchange for closing the return request.

That, however, would have resulted in forfeiting eBay's protection on my part, since such disputes cannot be reopened, and accepting the risk that the seller would not be true to their word, which would be the second time in the same transaction. I suppose I could have then resorted to PayPal, but the first priority was just to put the experience in the rear view mirror, and not drag it out any longer than it has already taken.

In the end, I was just issued a refund, without the need to return the item, which is probably the best outcome for both of us.

An unfortunate situation, with no "winners," since they had to absorb some sunk cost, and I am left to seek an alternative.

I still do think the seller was generally honorable, just bitten by a little carelessness on their part, and the most practical outcome, given the circumstances, was what resulted. Lessons learned.

 

[johnmyster]

The seller acknowledged the discrepancy, and offered to send a true WYSIWYG replacement, in exchange for closing the return request.

That, however, would have resulted in forfeiting eBay's protection on my part, since such disputes cannot be reopened, and accepting the risk that the seller would not be true to their word, which would be the second time in the same transaction. I suppose I could have then resorted to PayPal, but the first priority was just to put the experience in the rear view mirror, and not drag it out any longer than it has already taken.

In the end, I was just issued a refund, without the need to return the item, which is probably the best outcome for both of us.

An unfortunate situation, with no "winners," since they had to absorb some sunk cost, and I am left to seek an alternative.

I still do think the seller was generally honorable, just bitten by a little carelessness on their part, and the most practical outcome, given the circumstances, was what resulted. Lessons learned.

If they have a WYSIWYG replacement, you could initiate a new transaction with them.

Good for you to stay within the bounds of the protection policy.

 

[dishdude]

The seller acknowledged the discrepancy, and offered to send a true WYSIWYG replacement, in exchange for closing the return request.

That, however, would have resulted in forfeiting eBay's protection on my part, since such disputes cannot be reopened, and accepting the risk that the seller would not be true to their word, which would be the second time in the same transaction. I suppose I could have then resorted to PayPal, but the first priority was just to put the experience in the rear view mirror, and not drag it out any longer than it has already taken.

In the end, I was just issued a refund, without the need to return the item, which is probably the best outcome for both of us.

An unfortunate situation, with no "winners," since they had to absorb some sunk cost, and I am left to seek an alternative.

I still do think the seller was generally honorable, just bitten by a little carelessness on their part, and the most practical outcome, given the circumstances, was what resulted. Lessons learned.

You 100% did the right thing.

 

[Fattylocks]

I've returned a couple eBay items. Very painless.