Selling tools on ebay

[GarageGuy89]

So I sold a porter cable cordless impact/drill kit, used and clearly stated as such on ebay. In perfect working order, batteries are 1.3 ah (small ones).

Paid $18 to ship it across the US (of course), 7 days later the guy wants a refund/return because its "not working like it is supposed to". Of course he filed the return as defective or not working and now I have to fit the bill for shipping both ways!

Been trying to reach out to him the last 3 days and no response...so what happens when I process the return and I get it back to my door $30 later and it works just fine. Can I open a case with ebay to get the shipping charges back?

Very frustrating....

 

[Maui]

You probably aren't going to get it back...and Ebay will cancel payment to you through Paypal.

 

[zktk01]

You probably will eat the shipping charges, I hope you at least get your item back.
I haven't had to deal with anyone like that yet.

 

[GarageGuy89]

Just got a message form the guy. Here it is...

Hey, sorry I took so long to reply. The problem am having these drills is not that they aren't working, but it the condition of them. The drill driver have a clunking noise when when I stop pressing the trigger and the impact driver chamber is very shaky. Now I need these tool to work with everyday on my job an base on the condition of them I don't think they are going to last me that long. So rather than running the risk of one them failing mean on the job, I think it would be better to return them and try something else. Sorry for the inconvenience.


I've got it in writing that they work just fine. I don't know what he expects from used tools, and it sounds like he has the clutch turned way down on the drill. Ebay makes the seller pay shipping charges only if the item is defective, otherwise it is up to the buyer to fit the bill....anyone got advice here?!?! I'll try calling ebay to see what they say.

 

[Davefr]

Been trying to reach out to him the last 3 days and no response...so what happens when I process the return and I get it back to my door $30 later and it works just fine. Can I open a case with ebay to get the shipping charges back?

Very frustrating....

No, if you agree to the SNAD return, you're on the hook for return shipping and will owe the buyer a refund within 6 days of the items return back to you.

Ebay won't care if the item really isn't defective.

You could refuse the SNAD return and let Ebay decide the case but there's a 99% chance they'd decide in favor of the buyer. Maybe they'd take into consideration the buyer's failure to respond to your emails but I wouldn't count on it.

Chalk it up to the cost of doing business on Ebay and just hope you get your item back in the same condition as it was sent.

I always offer a "satisfaction guarantee" on all items I sell because if I don't, buyers with remorse will simply open a SNAD dispute.

 

[Roberts210]

eBay doesn't give a good G-D about the sellers.
And the buyer sounds like a 3rd-world *****.

 

[Packard V8]

Chalk it up to the cost of doing business on Ebay and just hope you get your item back in the same condition as it was went.

Actually, the OP was fortunate. eBay policy is the buyer is always right, even if he's a thief. It's become all too common for a buyer to claim the item never arrived, even when the delivery service got a signature or that the box arrived empty or that the item was defective, then demand a full refund and to keep the item. eBay will give back the buyer's money and slow play any arbitration until the seller gives up in frustration. He'll usually get bad feedback from the scammer as a bonus.

Bottom line - one really bad experience can make eBay just not worth the grief. Stay with craigslist and sell in person for cash.

jack vines

 

[Davefr]

Bottom line - one really bad experience can make eBay just not worth the grief. Stay with craigslist and sell in person for cash.

jack vines

Ebay generates way higher net sales prices then CL in my experience. I'd rather deal with a tiny number of problem Ebay buyers then all the CL idiots/associated hassles.

There is no perfect sales venue. The key is to keep a reserve for bad transactions and if they're more then a couple percent you're doing something wrong. It's the cost of doing business.

The other key is to not get emotional.

 

[jgromada]

I sell EVERYTHING i do see on ebay now as returnable with Buyer paying return shipping. Also no refund on shipping out to the customer as that is spent cost.

 

[GTO]

So I sold a porter cable cordless impact/drill kit, used and clearly stated as such on ebay. In perfect working order, batteries are 1.3 ah (small ones).

Paid $18 to ship it across the US (of course), 7 days later the guy wants a refund/return because its "not working like it is supposed to". Of course he filed the return as defective or not working and now I have to fit the bill for shipping both ways!

Been trying to reach out to him the last 3 days and no response...so what happens when I process the return and I get it back to my door $30 later and it works just fine. Can I open a case with ebay to get the shipping charges back?

Very frustrating....

This is why I stopped selling on Ebay...I only buy now.

 

[L5wolvesf]

Did you list the item as; no returns and no warranty?

 

[Davefr]

Did you list the item as; no returns and no warranty?

^^^Even if he did, it's absolutely meaningless!! (The Ebay SNAD process overrides anything a seller states.)

I think the only way to prevent returns is listing it "As Is/For parts or repair".

Even that might not be 100%.

 

[unslow1]

This is why I stopped selling on Ebay...I only buy now.

Same here.

 

[Htscheg]

That happened to me with a motorcycle seat I sold... it was fairly local too the guy refused to pick it up ... had to be mailed... 27.00. Needless to say I ate it, redunded him his money... told him to keep it etc.. a few months later I was at a bike night party And noticed my seat sitting on a bike... the guy actually started bragging about how he screwed the seller and what not.. i started laughing at him and promply punched him square.... then proceded to get my money back too lol

 

[3baygarage]

That happened to me with a motorcycle seat I sold... it was fairly local too the guy refused to pick it up ... had to be mailed... 27.00. Needless to say I ate it, redunded him his money... told him to keep it etc.. a few months later I was at a bike night party And noticed my seat sitting on a bike... the guy actually started bragging about how he screwed the seller and what not.. i started laughing at him and promply punched him square.... then proceded to get my money back too lol

Ebay Biker justice

 

[Toothaker]

(snip...) the guy actually started bragging about how he screwed the seller and what not.. i started laughing at him and promply punched him square.... then proceded to get my money back too lol

I have a few eBay "buyers" I need you to track down and deal with.

 

[engineer2]

When you get your stuff back, make sure parts haven't been swapped out for defective ones.

 

[GarageGuy89]

It was listed as used, in working order and 14 day return policy. Buyer pays return shipping...seems fair enough.

What I didn't realize is the buyer can select 'not working' (even if it is working) and it is now on the seller to cover the return and original shipping. Regardless of the BUYER PAYS RETURN SHIPPING.

I could care less about the return. It's just this guy has buyers remorse and I have to fit the bill....

 

[uncwstudent]

I've encountered this only once before but this is part of the reason why I just stick with selling hand tools. There's too much room to argue for issues with power tools. I also have a policy where the buyer has to pay return shipping unless the item is truly defective. There are some really frustrating people on Ebay (and I've had some existential crises dealing with them) but the majority of them have been great people who have given me no problems.

At the end of the day, the real problem is that if you don't do the refund, this guy may leave you negative feedback. Feedback is EVERYTHING on Ebay.

I understand why you're pissed. This stuff is ridiculous and Ebay does almost nothing to protect the seller.

 

[Jon_E]

I sell nothing on eBay anymore. It's seller-beware. Craigslist or Facebook marketplace. At least I get cash and don't have to deal with buyer's remorse or other BS like that.

 

[Gamble]

I feel your pain but all things considered it's not a huge loss. It could be worse.

Word to everyone! I sell on amazon, ebay etc. Anything high dollar you better send it with signature required. I just got scammed for almost $400. Tracking shows delivered, customer claims he didn't get it...but I see pics of my product on his social media the day after it arrived. Amazon basically told me to get fucked since there is no *proof* it was delivered to his address. USPS just says delivered and the town but that's where it stops. Even with if I had their GPS location at the time of the delivery it's not good enough.
So yah I just got screwed. It's well worth the few dollars per shipment to have a signature confirmation rather than get the shaft like I just did.

 

[Maui]

I've been screwed by people on Ebay before, and it just *****. That is why I haven't sold anything on there in years. I agree that the vast majority of Ebayers are good people who are honest. But that small percentage who are not can really make it a miserable experience for sellers. If you just sell on Craigslist they don't charge you anything, you don't have to worry about feedback, you deal with people in person, and only accept cash. And I've gotten more $ for some items on Craigslist than I ever would have gotten on Ebay.

Maui

 

[JimNC]

Just to balance this discussion, I have had a small percentage of sellers that were extremely optimistic in the description of their item and extremely unpleasant to deal with to reach satisfactory resolution.

I’ve only once had to have eBay step in, and when they did they sent me all my money back and I never did get instructions to return the item after asking several times. To me it looked like eBay ate it ($500+) but I kinda doubt it. Seller had perfect feedback, and I didn’t leave any since I was happy in the end.

 

[zendriver]

Hmmm they sound like pretty small tools to be used "on the job" inless maybe he is a jewelry maker.

It smells to me like he just wants to scam you, hoping you won't want to pay for return shipping, so you'll just say "oh just keep it".

It works, but he's worried about the longevity of it?

Personally, I 's pay 50 bucks for return shipping before I let the asswipe keep it.


Anyway you look at it, you're screwed that way you'll keep your dignity.

I always get burned with free shipping so I don't do it I seem to get better buyers that way

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[3baygarage]

Let me run down the three problem buyers I had over the past decade+ on Ebay. (I'm more a buyer and have had plenty issues buying).

I think all three of these guys had no eyes in their head.

1.) I sold an item I described as dented and hard to turn because of the dent. Showed pictures of dent, etc.. Item worked but harder to operate....

Buyer- tells me the item is not working. Demands money back. I told him it was because of the dent AS DESCRIBED. He insisted no, it's not the dent. He acknowledged the dent but said something else (mystery phenomenon) causing the bind. (Sure, just a cosmetic blemish that dent).

Me- WTF? I told him go fly a kite, it's just as described and pictured.



2.) Sold large bunch of tools and sockets. Took clear pictures of tools and sockets.

Buyer- tells me not enough of a certain brand! I had about 10 brands listed, he wanted and expected more of one brand. Snap on of course. Wouldn't you know it?

Me- WTF! Told him go fly a kite, you saw all the pictures and there was no promise of any quantity of anything. Many brands were listed.


3.) This was my mistake. I sold a box of broken tools as a lot. Described as everything in the box is broken junk. No pictures of individual tools. Big mistake. Not everything was even broken.

Buyer- wouldn't you know he complained everything was .....broken! Yay!!! Proceeded to threaten, harass me.

Me - told him that's exactly what I sold. I'll take the negative feedback. Reported him!

 

[CKS1955]

In the end eBay will decide with buyer. We just sold a camera at the beginning of October only to realize the buyer was using a US address as shipping service for further delivery to a foreign country. We block all foreign buyers, but hard to do when they trick the system. Claimed item was not received, we refunded the seller the entire amount paid. The seller then left us negative feedback, go figure. Remember selling on eBay offers no seller protection, but we’re else can you reach such a broad market. This seller opened a case directly through eBay, versus contacting us. I had several phone calls with eBay on my interpretation of the buyer protection and that this buyer violated that, but in the end they didn’t care. So if I didn’t refund eBay would force it through and then there would be no refund of the final value fees.

Jay

 

[Davefr]

In the end eBay will decide with buyer. We just sold a camera at the beginning of October only to realize the buyer was using a US address as shipping service for further delivery to a foreign country. We block all foreign buyers, but hard to do when they trick the system. Claimed item was not received, we refunded the seller the entire amount paid. The seller then left us negative feedback, go figure. Remember selling on eBay offers no seller protection, but we’re else can you reach such a broad market. This seller opened a case directly through eBay, versus contacting us. I had several phone calls with eBay on my interpretation of the buyer protection and that this buyer violated that, but in the end they didn’t care. So if I didn’t refund eBay would force it through and then there would be no refund of the final value fees.

Jay

Why didn't you ship it with delivery confirmation??

Sellers will win INR disputes as long as tracking shows item was delivered to the buyer's shipping address.

 

[GarageGuy89]

I called ebay, they said I have to wait the three business days before they can step in. The guy at ebay sided with me, since the guy sent me a message saying it did work.

I will eat the money before I let someone keep it. I will open a case, and try everything I can before I let some guy throw away my money.

Sad thing is, this was my first attempt at selling something on ebay. Don't think I will go back to selling stuff on ebay.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I wonder if the guy knows less sucky cordless drills mostly have a brake on the chuck. he might not be used to the jobsite. and impact = vibration.

 

[dnschmidt]

EBay blows. As a person who sells on EBay you never win. If somebody wants to screw you over every EBay rule makes that easy for them. That's why I'm getting out of the TOPTUL business. It just isn't worth it. Between the fees, the bitchin' about shipping charges and all the rest just screw it has become my point of view. I've got all the TOPTUL tools I'll ever need so the hell with it.

 

[Socket Pounder]

It's not just ebay. Having run stores for a long time, about 20% of customers will be PITAs, 10% will try to get something free or a better price, and about 1-3% (depending on the business) will try to swindle you. But yeah, ebay ***** too. Their fees are way too high for the risk involved. I used to sell a lot but last spring I gave away all my shipping supplies and got out of it.

 

[CKS1955]

Why didn't you ship it with delivery confirmation??

Sellers will win INR disputes as long as tracking shows item was delivered to the buyer's shipping address.

We always ship with tracking information. The package was USPS delayed delivery. eBay allows a buyer to open a case if the item isn't delivered by the estimated delivery date. Since it was USPS delayed deliver, according to eBay the buyer has the right to request a refund since it wasn't delivered by the estimated delivery date. The eBay rep said we need to file an insurance claim with USPS.

Jay

 

[Dagny]

people ****

 

[Htscheg]

Enay ***** lol

 

[Mustang1167]

I just recently started selling on eBay. It’s a user friendly platform but they completely side with the buyer. I sold a “custom lug nut lock removel socket set” that I believe the buyer switched out his broken sockets with the ones I sent. He then claimed I sent him broken sockets. I wasn’t happy about his trick and told him what I thought of it. eBay slapped me on the wrist for telling him he was a scumbag. So 32 items sold 1 ******.

 

[Skin]

Most of these complaints aren't ebay problems they're people problems. Work in a retail institution and you'll deal with this constantly. Especially an online one where it becomes far worse since you can now become an anonymous scumbag. Amazon gets taken all the time, look at all the things people swap then return for resale through warehousedeals. Lots of thieves out there.

Paypal does have buyer protection. They will cover you if you follow their guidelines for delivery confirmation/signature confirmation. Case in point that Camera story above simply wouldn't of happened with direct signature required. Its cold hard proof of delivery.

Recently had some d-bag try to take me after 2 months filing a generic chargeback claim and paypal covered me simply due to delivery confirmation stating that the item arrived.

 

[Dirtydan69]

Offer him a partial refund and see if he bites. I sell mostly on FB marketplace anymore. Ebay does help advertise big ticket items for me though. But FB is working very well these days.

 

[Davefr]

We always ship with tracking information. The package was USPS delayed delivery. eBay allows a buyer to open a case if the item isn't delivered by the estimated delivery date. Since it was USPS delayed deliver, according to eBay the buyer has the right to request a refund since it wasn't delivered by the estimated delivery date. The eBay rep said we need to file an insurance claim with USPS.

Jay

Then the problem was USPS vs. Ebay or a fraudulent buyer.

If I were the buyer and the package didn't arrive, then I would have also filed a INR claim. Seller is responsible for deliver, not just shipment. That's the case everywhere.

 

[Davefr]

I called ebay, they said I have to wait the three business days before they can step in. The guy at ebay sided with me, since the guy sent me a message saying it did work.

I will eat the money before I let someone keep it. I will open a case, and try everything I can before I let some guy throw away my money.

Sad thing is, this was my first attempt at selling something on ebay. Don't think I will go back to selling stuff on ebay.

I'd suggest you ask Ebay to send the buyer a prepaid shipping label funded by Ebay and you'll refund the buyer (since you offered a 14 day return policy).

Ebay has been known to side with both buyer AND seller on occasion in order to appease both parties.

At least it's worth asking.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[CKS1955]

Then the problem was USPS vs. Ebay or a fraudulent buyer.

If I were the buyer and the package didn't arrive, then I would have also filed a INR claim. Seller is responsible for deliver, not just shipment. That's the case everywhere.

True, but package was delivered after the refund was issued, just not before estimated delivery date. So buyer ended up with refund and item. eBay is aware of this and know this occurs from time to time. If you know the item is in transit, they should not force a refund just because a delay in delivery caused by the shipper.

Jay