Ebay buyer problem

[Toolhorder]

Okay I'm selling off some of my "home" tools and I list a couple of items. One of the items is a Power Probe 2 kit which was like new I didn't have it long before upgrading my work power probe to a PP3.
I list the power probe as honestly as I can giving as much detail and pictures as possible. It's listed as a Power Probe 2.
The item sells, I ship it and I get a message via email a couple days later from the buyer saying it's not a power probe 2 it's a power probe 1 and he's asking how I want to handle it.
I don't know why he thinks it's a 1 but it's definitely not a PP1 since it's red and has a speaker. The blow molded case even says "power probe 2" and it's all original and every piece is in the kit since new.

How would you guys deal with this guy??

 

[L5wolvesf]

Post up a link to the auction so we can see what was pictured.

Thank you,
L

 

[back2class]

Well. That's Ebay. Not much advice for you. Stuff like this is the reason I quit selling pretty much anything there. I sell tools here for about 10-30% less....but so worth it to avoid the fees and more importantly ahole buyers.

 

[SMKS]

Ugh, I've had a similar problem where the buyer is an idiot.

I would suggest you politely tell them what you told us and provide a link to an online source also showing a PP2, so the buyer can compare.

But, long story short, you really have no recourse. If the buyer won't accept your explanation, the best you can hope for is that they return it and you give them a full refund. Worst case- they file a claim, return an empty package or a package not containing what they bought and eBay gives them all their money back.

I would urge you to be polite. The buyer can totally screw you if they know how.

 

[balane]

Would be nice to see the auction. Did you offer any type of a return policy in the auction? I don't in my listings but if somebody is unhappy and contacts me I will usually offer to have them ship it back and refund their money. If he's fishing for a partial refund I wouldn't go that route but just take the whole thing back and just resell it again if he agrees to an auction cancellation so you're not stuck with the fees.

 

[Toolhorder]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260978608383?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1559.l2649

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

If you had right description and matching pictures, you will be fine.

 

[Toolhorder]

I replied again and provided this link,

http://www.powerprobe.com/powerprobe/PP2.html

That's the same kit I sold him.

 

[wornoutoldman]

If he's not happy have him send it back on his dime and sell it here...

Where you could offer it at $40 shipped and still come out better than you did after ebay fees...

 

[balane]

You're fine. That's definitely a PP2 as far as I know. Did you check the feedback your buyer has left for other sellers in the past? Does he have a history of being disgruntled with purchases? Hopefully he has a history of this because that helps you.

 

[Toolhorder]

You're fine. That's definitely a PP2 as far as I know. Did you check the feedback your buyer has left for other sellers in the past? Does he have a history of being disgruntled with purchases? Hopefully he has a history of this because that helps you.

Feedback set to private....No negatives though in the past year or whatever.

 

[balane]

imho you would be totally fair in not doing anything on this. You listed it correctly and sent him the correct item as listed and described. I would definitely contact him via the eBay messaging system (So the auditors can view the communications if it comes to that.) and politely state the situation and present him with as much facts as can. You are 100% in the right here and nobody could hold you responsible for any wrongdoing.

If it were me I would offer him a refund if he sent it back. He likely won't accept that offer and if he doesn't you have that offer on record. If he does accept that offer you get the item back and can relist it. This might be paranoid but I would also make a video of myself opening the returned package in case he tries any funny business. Might not help but it would be something and you could threaten him with fraud and link him a copy of the video on youtube.

You seem like a good seller who tries to do the right thing so good luck in whatever happens.

 

[Toolhorder]

imho you would be totally fair in not doing anything on this. You listed it correctly and sent him the correct item as listed and described. I would definitely contact him via the eBay messaging system (So the auditors can view the communications if it comes to that.) and politely state the situation and present him with as much facts as can. You are 100% in the right here and nobody could hold you responsible for any wrongdoing.

If it were me I would offer him a refund if he sent it back. He likely won't accept that offer and if he doesn't you have that offer on record. If he does accept that offer you get the item back and can relist it. This might be paranoid but I would also make a video of myself opening the returned package in case he tries any funny business. Might not help but it would be something and you could threaten him with fraud and link him a copy of the video on youtube.

You seem like a good seller who tries to do the right thing so good luck in whatever happens.

Yeah it ***** because I try and do the right thing...I buy watches at second stores sometimes and I clean them up, replace batteries and resell them. A month ago I forgot to change a battery in one I sold and the seller was upset. I ended up refunding her most of the money and I lost money on the deal but it's just part of the deal sometimes and it was my fault.
In this deal I don't think I made any mistakes.

 

[SMKS]

This might be paranoid but I would also make a video of myself opening the returned package in case he tries any funny business.

Ha! I've planned on doing this exact thing in the past, but I haven't had someone return an item, yet.

 

[balane]

One other thing, buyers/sellers with private feedback have something to hide. I really don't know why eBay offers this option because it hinders fair and open trade. I've considered actually blocking buyers with hidden feedback just because the only reason they would do this is because they don't want people to know about them for a reason. I haven't had any issue yet with somebody who does this but the moment I do I will remove bids from people and perm-block them from my auctions.

In case I'm missing something here can anybody share a legitimate reason to make your feedback hidden?

 

[Flathead Red]

The video thing is an excellent idea. I will try to remember that one.

Red

 

[snapmom]

You may be stuck with taking it back, If the buyer files a claim, and sends it back to you, ebay will take the money from you (including the shipping cost) and give it back to the buyer. Thats the way it works, you will have no recourse. Just hold your breath that he is not sending you back his No. 1 that is broke and he wants a free upgrade. Noting you can do about that either.

 

[Toolhorder]

This is his reply,


"No it's not power probe 2, pp2 have speaker and have 2 led on top."

I don't get this clown....It has a speaker right on it....This guy is definitely a scammer.

 

[balane]

Hmm. Now that I look it over I guess I can see the confusion. If you look on their web site promotional photo here;

http://www.powerprobe.com/powerprobe/PP2.html

-and-

http://aseaudio.com/store3/images/Power Probe 2.jpg

you can see there is a 2nd LED below the switch and a speaker grill below that.

When I look at your photo in the ebay listing here;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260978608383#ht_668wt_1165

It doesn't have that 2nd, lower LED or the speaker grill in that location.

Were there different generations of the PP2 which had differing physical appearances?

Here is a PP1 which, besides the color, does more closely physically resemble the one in your auction.

http://aseaudio.com/store3/images/Power Probe 1.jpg

It looks as if the manual applies to both the PP1 and PP2.

Can you understand how he might be confused about this?

 

[lennoxlennox]

he's probably a scammer and maybe has a pp1 and is going to send that back to you in place of your pp2

i'd dispute it from ebay, source this thread as supporting evidence or maybe directly from the company and say the deal stands

unfortunately i think ebay holds your funds while there is a dispute!? not sure

 

[SMKS]

he's probably a scammer and maybe has a pp1 and is going to send that back to you in place of your pp2

i'd dispute it from ebay, source this thread as supporting evidence or maybe directly from the company and say the deal stands

unfortunately i think ebay holds your funds while there is a dispute!? not sure

The problem is that the OP doesn't really have a way to "dispute" it. There are very few circumstances where sellers can file a claim, and this isn't one of them, yet.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/report_problem.html

 

[warmpancakes]

Have him call the company with the serial number

 

[Toolhorder]

I saw that mine looks more like a PP1 than a PP2. I never had a PP1 at the same time as a PP2 so it couldn't have been confused and jumped into the wrong kit box or anything.
Called Power Probe directly and they were almost useless. They did say the PP1 never came in a red case only black and a limited blue. They said if it's red it's a PP2. I asked if they had different generations and she said no so I'm not sure. It doesn't look like the picture. I'm pretty sure that one I sold toned and the LED was dual so it switches colors. Maybe it's a first run or something of the PP2.
So all that being said I offered to have him return it in a flat rate priority box and I'll refund his money if the kit is complete like I sent it to him.
Let's see what happens....

 

[balane]

fwiw I think that's a good decision and you won't regret it. there's definitely more to that PP unit than meets the eye I now believe. Who knows, maybe you have a really rare model and it's worth a fortune.

 

[Toolhorder]

fwiw I think that's a good decision and you won't regret it. there's definitely more to that PP unit than meets the eye I now believe. Who knows, maybe you have a really rare model and it's worth a fortune.

If I get it back I'll refund his money then see what the unit is missing and re-list accordingly. I may call power probe and see what they say. How knows maybe they'll swap it for a newer generation.

 

[Toolhorder]

This buyer is totally ******* me off now.

I give in and tell him to send it back and I'll refund him back the money PLUS shipping back to me (sounds more the reasonable to me) and he just replied telling me it's a PP1 in a PP2 case (basically calling me a liar or saying I cheated him) and he's telling me he'll send it back later this week.
I replied telling him to call Power Probe, the case and tool are original to the kit and it's a PP2 but may not be the latest version of the tool which isn't my fault if it doesn't have all the features you want. I told him what was in the picture is what you were shipped. I then said call up Power Probe and give them the serial number off the tool if for the final word because I know I'm correct.
I then told him it would be best if he sent it back ASAP to clear the issue up not wait a week to ship it as I'm already out return shipping now and I need to resell it.

I'm trying to be a stand up seller but this guy's wording in messages is beginning to piss me off.

 

[snapmom]

It sounds like the buyer is after a partial refund.

 

[fourtythree]

He's trying to get a break on the price. Happens all the time. Tell him to keep it and be happy, or send it back and you'll refund the price. Do not pay for return shipping. Chances are, you won't hear from him after that. He'll end up ******* you off, because no matter how much you try to work with him, he's going to be a ***** to get money out of you for fear of a negative feedback. Don't fall for this, it's a scam.

 

[balane]

And, if at any point he asks for a refund under the threat of negative feedback, even a hint of it, make sure to report him. He will at that point not be allowed to leave feedback for you and will receive some form of reprimand, possibly even expulsion.

 

[Super Sport]

I wouldn't be paying shipping either way. It really ***** that ebay doesn't allow sellers to leave negative feedback anymore...

 

[lithdoc]

I will second most of the things others say...

The lack of negative feedback for buyers has made ebay an extortion service... Buyers can demand whatever they want, and sellers have to comply, at the fear of negative feedback or loss of seller status, etc.

 

[L5wolvesf]

In the future I would suggest posting a pic of more than just the case.

 

[Toolhorder]

In the future I would suggest posting a pic of more than just the case.

I did, I posted a picture of the case and then another of the tool and it's parts in the kit.

 

[fourtythree]

I did, I posted a picture of the case and then another of the tool and it's parts in the kit.

It doesn't matter. This guy is scamming you. The pics you posted are irrelevant.

 

[Toolhorder]

He just sent another reply stating it's a PP1 because it doesn't look like some from some link he provided from a 3rd party vendor. I already gave him the number to power probe's office's in Socal and told him to call them with the serial number and verify it. I also explained it's not the same as the current offering but it's a PP2 according to power probe.
He keeps saying it's a PP1 in a PP2 box and it's ******* me off. I told him if he's calling me a liar I can just leave the deal as is and he can file a claim already. This guy is either a scammer or extremely dense.

 

[Toolhorder]

and he keeps saying he's send it in a week. WTF? Dude send it today in a priority box and get it to me now so I can give you a refund or eff yourself. I sent him the tool same day he paid.

 

[fourtythree]

You need to end all contact with him. Let him file a claim if he wants to take things further.

 

[lithdoc]

I agree with people above. You're already being too nice by offering to pay for return shipping. As long as you did nothing wrong, you will be okay. The guy maybe just wants to use it on some project and then have a good excuse to return it to you.

 

[road]

before you contact ebay ask the seller to retrun the item and he will be refunded ( be nice) if he will not return then .. . give ebay resolution a call or email. give all the details , be polite here, they r on your side , document and list all contact and proof of your item , even outside source emails can help. i have had a few "nice people to deal with on ebay"
its a real pita

 

[warmpancakes]

Like said above document everything , do all communication through Ebay you can win

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86378&highlight=ebay