eBay problems, resolutions, shenanigans, questions and info (not bike finds)

Just received my boardman road bike.
It was listed as a full bike-I received it without pedals, seatpost, saddle and front wheel screwer:)
The bike on the picture is black, I recieved grey.
Not sure I want to return it, because I won the auction with sweet price, but definitely it's not right.

The seller is not answering on my messeges.

Any practice of part money refund?

when you open a case it gives you the option to state what solution you'd be happy with-part refund is one of the choices in the drop down. state how much and why and they might accept, else you risk a send back for full refund scenario.

I know the feeling-tourer I bought for my lady was nowhere near what I expected and needed a lot of work, but sending it back was a huge pain and I'd have to spend ages finding another so I just sucked it up but it's fucking annoying when people rip the piss.

Thanks mate

Will wait till tomorrow and open the case if the guy won't answer.

In case I will need to send it back, am I suppost to pay for postage? In this case I still lose money:)

yeah, buyer pays post, although they are supposed to be changing that I think... It's a pain in the johnny ritter regardless.

Pain in the ass :)

buyer pays post

Isn't that only if it's the buyer's "fault", ie changed their mind about the colour etc? I'm sure if the seller has been a cunt, they have to stump-up the return postage.

When I've had a beef, I say that I want them to send me the return postage before it gets posted.

The return postage is outside the original Paypal payment so isn't covered by them, ie you are reliant on a demonstrable cunt to do the right thing...

As you say, it's outside the original paypal payment so they can't enforce it being issued over and above the refund. Some sellers might if they've been at fault and want to avoid a negative feedback, but plenty cunts don't give a shit, especially if it's expensive to ship like bikes...

If the bike was a decent quality one with actual bearings and stuff and those bearings are now bugger fucked then don't moan here, open a case on ebay/paypal.

I'm perhaps making massive presumptions but it sounds like you bought a balance bike, weren't too happy with the quality so are having a whinge. In which case, either go to a shop so that you can see the bike you are buying or buy a new one off tinternet such that distance selling regs apply and you can return if you aren't satisfied.

Don't buy used on ebay then moan coz they quality int all that.

I didn't open a case on ebay because, having driven 10 miles to get there to collect, I was of the opinion that the price was a good one for the item and I would rather take it for the price I won it at than open a dispute and try to get my money back. Interestingly the seller had demanded payment via paypal "because I hate it when people turn up and haggle". I should have realised this meant he hates people who win items he lists msleadingly and then take issue.

I presume that you agree that ebay listings should be accurate whether or not the end price is fair or cheap?

You are making massive presumptions.

Since my original post I tried to take off the front wheel - one of the wheel nuts is rusted pretty much tight. It took me 15 mins to take off the front wheel and now I need to strip the wheel to stick the centre of the axle in a vice to try to get the worst of the wheel nuts off (to clean it up and see if it'll go back on). The wheel is maybe salvageable with an hour's labour and maybe a new axle and bearings... and maybe I need a new one.

The interesting thing here is to note that that in an entirely unrepresentative and tiny survey 100% of respondents pretty much said that working order means "does it basically do what it is supposed to, even if it does it badly?" and "perfect" before "working order" means nothing - it can be stuck in front of "working order" for marketing purposes but implies nothing extra about condition.

Definitely Jeez.

.

Need a little advice…

Bought a bike from ebay at a reasonably good price with Thomson finishing kit (seat post, stem). Seller stated in the ad that it would come without the Brooks saddle - no mention of keeping the seat post.

Bike arrives rightly without Brooks but the Thomson seat post is missing (replaced with a crappy Bontrager RL seat post). Conveniently the seller says the seat post failed so he did not include it and includes a usable replacement. There were many opportunities to mention the seat post apparently failing during our message exchange just after purchase and before shipping (over two weeks, 6 messages).

I'm happy with the bike per se but other minor problems (late posting time, said he had the bike for years but he also bought on ebay etc) and seat post issue makes me think seller is lying about it and just wants to keep. I messaged him through ebay about this, he's only willing to give a refund of the bike and for me to send back as I got a bargain! Reluctant to send back as I like the bike plus do not have the time waiting for courier to pickup etc.

In a bit of a pickle as I just want the seat post or failing that some money off (of course, I will return the replacement seat post).

Do I go to ebay dispute resolution or paypal? If I do mention the incorrect seat post do I have to accept a full refund and send the whole bike back? Is there an option where I can just ask for some money off? i.e. is it through ebay or Paypal disputes.

With thanks

I had something similar happen to me. I proposed a minor refund, seller rejected and escalated to a PayPal claim, at which point I was unable to provide further details and they went by the seller's story - something I consider "broken" about the Paypal claim system. PayPal resolved "in my favor" offering to let me mail back at my expense for a full refund. Moral of the story: Make sure your case description is complete and try to reach an agreement before submitting anything via official channels.

proposed a minor refund, seller rejected and escalated to a PayPal claim, at which point I was unable to provide further details

Moral of the story, don't propose partial refund in a message.

@Esquire , report the item on ebay as not as described and I think you'll get the option to select 'partial refund' from a drop down menu of possible resolutions.

If seller pushes for return of bike for full refund then say you will do so, but at their cost, try get them to arrange a courier collection etc (and courier will have to collect at your convenience). It IS the seller's responsibility to cover return shipping costs in an 'item not as described' case but ebay/paypal don't force them to do so or make them refund you an amount that includes your shipping costs.

I've had success with this in the past but with lower value items. In my experience the seller goes quiet then eventually case is resolved in my favor, I get full refund and get to keep item. Doubt seller would let something to the value of a bike slide like this but you never know.

^Cheers @dvorkbod and @M_V - very helpful.

It appears that ebay only have the 'return item' option now where you will have to set out the gripe mentioning significantly not as described - I recall sometime back it did have 'not as described' as an option itself.

I spoke to ebay CS yesterday who advised to do a 'return item' and the seller can choose to give a 'partial refund' or 'full refund' after return of the item. If I do this, clearly the seller will opt for refund. This is another get out for sellers to have their item returned if it is sold undervalue.

The alternative option is to open a dispute via Paypal as it does have a 'not as described' option. I will not mention I want a partial refund (even though it suggests I put down how best I would like it to be resolved). See how it goes…

What is the best time/day to end an ebay auction for bike stuff? Lunchtime when everyone's in the office?

Sunday evening is a contender: not everyone works in an office.

That would be my best time (worst time) to buy something on there. I don't work in an office but cycling is the new golf right?

I suppose it depends on your market.

Normally end on Sunday evening for general items; Shit all on TV, kids are in bed, etc
If it's bike kit you're selling, don't set it to end during the ITV4 TdF highlights in the evening :)

Cheers for the responses!

Should I expect a buyer to return an item I sold to me first before issuing them a refund?

Yes. That's what paypal will determine if it goes through their process.

Cool cheers

Hello ebayers. Does anyone know how ebay works out the final value fee?

I UTFS but details in the help section were vague.

Thank you!

Panic over: I UTFS properly and found a fee calculator so I'm sorted.

http://www.fees.ebay.co.uk/feeweb/feecalculator

what a mare

Started to clear out, so lots of items, bound to hit this, but it would be on a pricey item.

Start auction at 99p, upload images of item, make it clear it's used and has marks. Caveat emptor, no returns. Bidding frenzy and it sells for as much as a near new one. So buyer starts returns process, not as described. I contact ebay, they are no help. Begin the gruelling process of back and forth, ask for evidence, respond that the evidence is representative of a used item...the main marks are visible in the original photos.

Has anyone ever actually won with this crap? I expect even though I'm in the right, ebay will go in buyer's favour and I lose out.

Best outcome on your part I think will be to get the item back and you can relist.

Do it by the book otherwise you're likely to have the money taken from your account and not get the item back.