eBay situation

[jonnyGURU]

I sold a Seasonic PSU on eBay.

In the auction, I put only one sentence (with the link as shown): I bought this power supply to write this review.

If you click on the link, you'll see everything on the one page that comes up, including the insides of the power supply. A photo that required that I opened the power supply.

Other than being open, the power supply hadn't been used other than about four hours on a load tester and was shipped in it's original box, with all original cables. There was no scratches, dents, etc. on the power supply AT ALL.

The item sold for $68 plus $10 shipping. I put the Seasonic box inside another box with some packing material (that brown crumply paper I get my Avaya equipment in) and shipped it via UPS.

Today, I received an email from the buyer:

I received the PS today and noticed that the grill on the back is dented in and some of the other metal has been bent. I also noticed that the screw on the PS that has a sticker on it states that if tampered with the warranty is void. This screw has been opened and therefore voids the 3 year warranty. I did not pay $78 to have an out of warranty PSU, nor did you state this fact in your auction. I would either like a discount of or around $40 or I would like to return it. Please advise as to what you would like to do.

$40 discount? So he wants a Seasonic PSU for $28?

I responded (paraphrased because I do not have the email. It was sent via eBay and you can't retrieve sent messages):

I'm surprised the PSU was damaged at all. Since it was never installed in a chassis, wasn't dented when I packaged it and made sure that the PSU was double boxed with packaging material. Regardless, I would be happy to give you a full refund plus an additional $10 for shipping the PSU BACK to me AFTER you send the unit back, in the very box it was shipped to you in, packing material and all. This way, I can see the damage and how it may have been damaged and learn from my apparent mistake.

As for the PSU being opened: First off; you're not the original owner of the power supply. You don't even hold the original invoice for the purchase of the unit. No manufacturers warranty applies to you, nor did I state that it would. Furthermore, my listing was very brief with a link to a review I wrote that had pictures of an OPENED Seasonic power supply. I would HAVE TO unscrew said screw in order to open said power supply.

I will not give this guy a $40 discount. This notion is insulting. I'm willing to give him a refund plus shipping and prefer to LOSE $20 on this transaction simply out of principle! And I won't give him THAT until I SEE this so called damage!!! I don't think he actually expected me to say, "Ok. Send it back." Don't play chicken with me. You'll lose.

Am I being an ass or is this guy trying to scam a $28 Seasonic? I'm actually afraid he's going to send it back and MAKE SURE it's dented just so he can make sure he gets his money back.

 

[Grey]

That sucks, and you have to waste money to see the dent. I bet he dents it before sending it back.

 

[jalaram]

Have him send you pics of the PS. Did you take pics of it beforehand?

 

[arcenite]

Withdrawal all your money from paypal and never log onto ebay again

 

[SVT Cobra]

Good Choice!

I think you are not being an ass....the other guy is....

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: arcenite
Withdrawal all your money from paypal and never log onto ebay again

And go into hiding.

 

[Cashmoney995]

Yeah you have pictures of the psu before it was sent...

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: jalaram
Did you take pics of it beforehand?

You didn't click on the link!

Originally posted by: Cashmoney995
Yeah you have pictures of the psu before it was sent...

 

[compudog]

I think you are in the right. I also think the buyer is going to dent it before he sends it back. The problem with listing on eBay is you have to disclose EVERYTHING you possibly can and include a disclaimer that the items are "Sold AS-IS - No Warranty, expressed or implied." And then, even with a disclaimer, you will still have buyers try and get something for nothing. I sold a printer, clearly stated in the auction, PARTS ONLY - PRINTER JAMS PAPER 85% of the time. with the aforementioned disclaimer, and still the buyer wanted his $$ back because the printer "jams up all the time."

Cliff Notes : eBay sucks.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged

Originally posted by: arcenite
Withdrawal all your money from paypal and never log onto ebay again

And go into hiding.

Naw... The Troll Hunters will FIND ME!!!!!

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: compudog
I think you are in the right. I also think the buyer is going to dent it before he sends it back. The problem with listing on eBay is you have to disclose EVERYTHING you possibly can and include a disclaimer that the items are "Sold AS-IS - No Warranty, expressed or implied."

Well, fact of the matter is.. I WASN'T selling the PSU "as-is." I knew it worked and actually offered a 7-day warranty for DOA (in case it got crushed or something. I always give a way out for people.)

If I thought there'd be a problem, I'd just chuck it and not go through the hassle of selling it.

But when I sell something with pictures of it OPENED UP and I package the hell out of it, I don't expect someone to write me back stating that it was opened... AND DENTED!!!

 

[olds]

He said that he would either like a discount or to return it. You are offering to take it back. Problem solved.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
He said that he would either like a discount or to return it. You are offering to take it back. Problem solved.

Yes, but on the condition that he sends it back exactly how I sent it to him. I'll spell it out for you: I don't want this jack ass just taping up the Seasonic box and slapping a label on it. I WON'T give him his money back then even AFTER the PSU is in my posession. And then there's the fear that he'll just drop kick it just to spite me.

Thing is: I have a couple reasons NOT to give this guy a refund even AFTER I get the PSU back. Like; if I can determine he drop kicked it before sticking it in the box. I can't just go handing out a refund just because he forgot to read.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
He said that he would either like a discount or to return it. You are offering to take it back. Problem solved.

Oh hey! Wait.. you're right.. He didn't ask for a REFUND. He just wanted to RETURN IT! You're right. Problem solved. I don't have to give him squat!!

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Did he sign for it? If so, the damaged package would have been noticable.

 

[mugs]

Offering to pay return shipping was retarded.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: mugs
Offering to pay return shipping was retarded.

Thank you for your input.

 

[iwearnosox]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
He said that he would either like a discount or to return it. You are offering to take it back. Problem solved.

Oh hey! Wait.. you're right.. He didn't ask for a REFUND. He just wanted to RETURN IT! You're right. Problem solved. I don't have to give him squat!!

If he paid via paypal you're screwed, end of story.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Did he sign for it? If so, the damaged package would have been noticable.

Actually, it looks like he didn't sign for it. They left it on his front porch. Which kind of pisses me off because I didn't check the "shipper release" box.

Originally posted by: iwearnosox

If he paid via paypal you're screwed, end of story.

How is it I'M SCREWED if he paid by Paypal? If I was instantly "screwed" then why don't I just go around "screwing" everyone I ever paid with Pypal. Seriously.. I don't see what you mean.

 

[iwearnosox]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Did he sign for it? If so, the damaged package would have been noticable.

Actually, it looks like he didn't sign for it. They left it on his front porch. Which kind of pisses me off because I didn't check the "shipper release" box.

Originally posted by: iwearnosox

If he paid via paypal you're screwed, end of story.

How is it I'M SCREWED if he paid by Paypal? If I was instantly "screwed" then why don't I just go around "screwing" everyone I ever paid with Pypal. Seriously.. I don't see what you mean.

Because his claim would be a significant misrepresentation of goods, whether he made it up or not. Paypal always sides with the buyer when a claim like that is made. He'll start a claim, paypal will attempt to hold funds and have him mail it back to you. Then they'll forcibly reverse the transaction. It's happened to me twice- the last time the item worked perfectly and the guy sent it back to me in pieces. Paypal still said I was SOL and reversed it.

If they attempt to reverse it and your account is empty they will lock your account until you pony up.

Aren't you glad you chose paypal?

 

[jonnyGURU]

And you have a Premier account and everything? Because supposedly I have "seller's protection," but you're saying it doesn't matter?

 

[iwearnosox]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
And you have a Premier account and everything? Because supposedly I have "seller's protection," but you're saying it doesn't matter?

Seller protection would not apply in this case. The company I founded was nearly bought by eBay, I have lunch down there all the time with them. Trust me on this, if he wants it reversed you're going to have a very hard time preventing it. The most you can do is stretch it out for a month after the claim, but he'll neg you for the experience.

Just tell him to mail it back and refund him less postage.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Well... I guess worst case scenario is he sends me back something unacceptable (kicked, no outer box, etc.) I tie up his money for a while and then when gets a refund, he DOESN'T get the shipping back that I offered.

Either way.. in principle... I win.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[iwearnosox]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Well... I guess worst case scenario is he sends me back something unacceptable (kicked, no outer box, etc.) I tie up his money for a while and then when gets a refund, he DOESN'T get the shipping back that I offered.

Either way.. in principle... I win.

Thanks for the heads up.

No problem. I'm with you in spirit, there's an audio power supply by my feet in pieces thanks to the guy that took it apart. In the opposite corner, however, was a DOA laptop that paypal got my $ back for, so it goes both ways.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU

Originally posted by: mugs
Offering to pay return shipping was retarded.

Thank you for your input.

Sorry, it's the truth. You offered more than he asked for to make the situation right. But you've apparantly realized that and changed your mind about the return shipping. Good for you. :thumbsup: