Ebay advice

[renaldo]

I'm looking for some advice as I've had a case opened against me on ebay

I sold a SID World Cup two weeks ago. The seller contacted me about a week or so afterwards saying he couldn't get the remote lock-out to work. I had never used the remote lock-out and stated in the advert that it looked unused, but I offered him some advice including a link to the service manual online, and he replied saying he thought he had fixed it.

Today he has contacted me saying his LBS think a seal has failed inside and that it will cost around £100 to fix it. He then opened a case against me about 2.5 hours afterwards, saying the fork is not as described and doesn't work, before I'd a chance to reply to his message! He says that while he would accept a refund he hopes we can come to an agreement on splitting the repair cost and would prefer that as he loved the fork.

I'm tempted to take a hit and offer to pay for half of the repair or offer a refund but part of me is tempted to dig my heels in and say he may have damaged it - he has had it for two weeks and I last heard from him 5 days ago when he said he thought he had worked out how to fit the lock-out, so he's obviously taken it apart. Any advice? I suspect ebay will side with the buyer...

 

[poweredbypies]

Keep all the messages, as you say sounds like he has had in bits and now it's well kippered.

 

[sylus]

Agreed

Easy way out is to bend over backwards take it back and lose the postage costs

But it does sound like they have had a go themselves then tried to charge you shop price.

I would ask for the shop quote in writing then contact the shop to confirm.

Sounds like someone is trying it on to be honest or they just made a mistake and fubar'd

 

[renaldo]

Thanks for the replies. Trouble with giving a refund is that, aside from losing the postage cost, I'm worried that he has buggered it and I'd then have to apy to fix it!

If I let ebay decide and they side with the buyer, what happens? Do I get negative feedback as well as having to give a refund or pay for repairs? And does the fact that he has clearly dismantled a complex fork not mean that it is no longer as sold, and negate my liability for its condition?

 

[Prometheus]

It is an unfortunate reality that eBay almost always sides with the buyer and will take the money from your paypal account without your permission if the buyers case is upheld. This happened to my mate :evil: .

However if the buyer has opened a case against you then I would be tempted to say screw them and have them return the fork for a refund and once you have it in your hand then you can ascertain exactly what the buyer has done to the fork. If the fork as obviously been damaged by the buyer then you can make your own counterclaim with ebay/paypal for your loss due to the buyer damaging the goods. You will need some evidence of the state of the fork before it was sent to prove you case though.

Alternatively ask for proof of the quote to repair the fork that the buyer claims to have been given. Then ask at your own LBS to see if they agree with the costings.

I can't help thinking that the buyer is just trying to get some money off.

Do you have a link to the auction so we can see how you described the fork? It may be that their claim that the fork is not as descibed is unfounded?

.

 

[DegsUk]

eBay always side with the buyer :twisted:

 

[renaldo]

Heres the advert:

SID WC

He's made no mention of the steerer which is what I was worried about, although I, and my LBS, think it was fine.

I was going to ask for evidence of the need for and cost of repairs. Trouble is, I don't really doubt that it needs work now, I just think it needs them because of him

 

[We_are_Stevo]

Looking at your listing I'd say you've been hard done by but unfortunately, as others have said above, eBay/Paypal almost always side with the buyer - if I were you I'd insist on him returning it at his cost (don't think there's any obligation for you to refund the Postage your way?) for a full refund of the P&P inc. purchase price and put it down to experience.

That way you get another bite at the apple and he loses a fork he quite clearly wants, at a very reduced price.

I would, however, make sure something is fully operational before accepting pennies shy of £200 for it in future...

 

[moffyr72]

and substitute looks unused with is untested in future That way its on them and they accept it could be faulty in some way..

 

[Russell]

Devils advocate here.

As someone else has noted above, saying that the lockout looks unused is a pretty vague statement that makes no claims to its functionality.

In your ad you state "The forks work really well and have just been serviced", the implication of which is that the buyer is purchasing a professionally serviced, fully functioning fork which would naturally include the lock out.

If it goes to a full on claim, you'll lose, end of.

I'd refund the buyer, get the forks back from him and re-sell with a more comprehensively worded advert, possibly including details of who serviced them for you.