eBay issue (resolution - sort of))

I have won a couple of such cases, but it will either involve phone calls to eBay or you obtaining proof.

First, call their bluff. Tell them all items are marked before sending and serial numbers noted, and say any returned items that do not match the ones sent will be considered fraud and you will notify the police as well as eBay. I had one suddenly decide everything was fine when I told them this.

Second, a housecall (or the threat of one) can work wonders. Tell them you travel quite a bit for work and you will be in their area and you will call in to inspect the item and will refund them if it is found to be faulty. I'm yet to have anyone take me up on this offer, they always seem to change their mind.

Only time I had to go all out was a guy claiming to have not received an item, despite the courier being able to tell me what car he had on the drive. It was within striking distance of my parents where I was going the week after, so I went round, took pics of the parts fitted to his car parked on his drive, and sent them to ebay. They found in my favour, and also suspended his account.

Some good advice thanks, think I'll offer to collect it personally. No way am I refunding the money.

I always have good pictures of anything I sell on the bay of evil and ensure that I have stated any returns policy etc.
E-bay works on the principle of contracts with any caveats to sale clearly detailed. You will get occasional idiots but generally I have had few issues to date.

You could mark items with a security marker pen that shows up under UV light using code or numbering that helps identify the item as supplied by you and don't tell buyers. A lot of breakers do that to avoid the very same type of fraudsters.

Thought i would reply here.

I have been selling bits a pieces online for many years, must be coming up for 15 years now, it originally started on a small trials riding forum before paypal became as popular as it is now, similar to ebay from what i can remember. With selling for so many years, and buying of course, i have had my fair share of unfortunate incidents like this. No mater how honest we are there is just as many out there that are pretty darn corrupt and not prepared to trade in a fair manner.

There is one or two that stick in my memory very well that may be relevant to your issue.

A few years ago I sold a pair of MTB wheels on Ebay. The buyer said they had arrived and that one of the wheels had been damaged in transit, the wheel was beyond all recognition when he sent me photos. Luckily for me both of the wheels were taped together, if one had been crushed, naturally the other one would have been damaged to the same extent because of the way they were packed. When i explained this to the buyer I never got a reply back.

It was at this point that someone suggested i mark items. Some times you may have bought items from online breakers that may have some super funky paint on there, that is so they know what items are theirs and will only accept them back with those marks on.

Instead I note serial numbers where possible or punch a small letter in some parts, obviously in somewhere that isn't ever going to be seen or noticed as unnatural. Sometimes under covers or trims.

Like others have said above offering to collect in person always makes people take a second thought, its easier to try and mug people off online, long times to respond to emails, think up a load of rubbish and try to palm you off. Standing in front of someone is a much different matter, obviously in a super civil way, were not cavemen here!

Personally, in any ebay sale i include some sort of generic ebay idiot disclaimer where i explain that i am a private seller, not a big scale trader, that items are used and will be received as such, there will be signs of use, with marks and wear and that no items are sold with a guarantee or warranty and that they are described as accurately as possible and are not sold as "mint" or "as new". Just in case any issues arise, there is that which can be used as a safety net, i have never had to use it via a dispute but have referred to it via messages and i also use the opportunity to state that the items are marked with serial numbers noted. Personally, in most cases the disputed funds are never much, but it is more principal than anything.

Hope your issue gets sorted.

I think its biggest effect is stopping the buyer trying it on

As has been mentioned at the slightest whiff of difficulty they often, but not always, give up

It would seem that you have all been fortunate with your dealings and people backing off.

It is the onus of the seller now to prove to eBay that the buyer is doing something wrong. In most cases your money will be snatched and sent back or if not eBay will refund them, then chase you for it. They do not want the hassle of it and the ever increasing difficulty of contacting customer services is for that reason.
Principle means nothing anymore and if the buyer doesn't react to their bluff being called and opens a case, otherwise known as asking a question, prepare to lose that account on ebay pretty soon.

eBay are investigating... card details have been removed from paypal account and if we lose that eBay account not an issue (unless eBay look for other accounts with the same address).

If we ever sell anything similar again I'll include a picture of the serial number in the advert, but in this case it's probably more a case of they've used the clippers and now don't want them so same ones will come back but used and dirty.

Thanks for all the advice.

Hi, That's if they actually send the clippers back and not an empty or weighted box or jiffy bag. They have the tracked package being delivered and so get their refund and the clippers. I have heard that some rogue sellers won't sign for the tracked return package and so it gets returned to the buyer and they don't get the refund. I am of course not suggesting you do that.

As regards selling your scalextric cars you could put them up as cash on collection so that brings in the face to face dealings but it does limit your market.

Colin

Putting cash on collection won't solve the muppets on ebay though. I sold a rather rare roofrack as cash on collection. A guy 200 miles away bid on it and then demanded delivery. I happened to be going that way so I agreed to meet him at a motorway junction. He sent a mate to collect it and paid by Paypal whilst I was en route promising to cover the balance later on. Guess what never happened.

I've learnt my lesson. Don't sell on ebay.