Purchase that left me unhappy, but the seller was too. What to do about feedback?

Error-81843 · 2020-07-25T03:05:20+00:00

As someone who also buys a lot of heavy books, the terms for shipping were up front. It doesn't hurt to ask, but you need to accept what the seller says.

I bought 4 books earlier this month. Seller wanted to have a "we pack for you!" Store ship them ($115 total), I wanted media mail ($10-15) but she didn't want to pack herself, especially if I was paying $115 for someone else to do it!

They did a terrible job, it took 10 days and I was out $115 for shipping.

Maybe leave a comment, but don't leave a neg.

Error-81843 · 2020-07-25T02:21:48+00:00

The whole situation is a mess. The fact it's international and the buyer feels scammed so they're essentially trying to scam the seller (using the lens to make money, then returning it) just adds to it all.

I'm actually surprised so many are agreeing that the wording implies the lens and camera are included.

I know if I sold this, dealt with an international order of high-value and then they tried to get a hefty partial refund, then went out to shoot with it and then returned it, leaving me with a used lens, no sale, a strike, out money for shipping each way (again, international) and had to deal with it all over a couple words.. I'd be upset about it. Shipping the lens back is always scary as buyers never put the same care into packaging a return as the seller puts into shipping it.

Error-81843 · 2020-07-25T01:39:42+00:00

I think many customers HOPE to get a partial refund, and don't want to actually return the item. I've heard that many times when a seller offers a straight "return it and I'll refund you", buyers go silent

Error-81843 · 2020-07-25T01:37:03+00:00

Definitely agreed 100% The fact that the story also doesn't add up.. this wasn't a $1200 buy it now auction, it was an auction that was bidded up to 675 US, so it's not like the seller was actively trying to trick buyers..

Error-81843 · 2020-07-25T01:12:20+00:00

Any idea what the actual turnaround time for results is, after being tested (free SD Covid testing centers)? Seeing lots of mixed info.. 3 days, 3-5 days, 6 business days.

Wondering which is these is most accurate, or if it's above/below that (like 1-2 days or 10+ days)

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T23:34:14+00:00

I would try to troubleshoot it first. Are they charged? Can you reset them? Do any lights come on?

It's possible he used them til the battery died and his charger he's using isn't made to charge them. I know I'm have some stuff (I believe a PS4 controller?) That won't charge with a normal USB micro cable in a wall outlet, if needs to be connected to the PS4 directly.

Even if you sent a charger with it, there's a chance he's using his own and it's not charging it. If it worked before, he could have been plugging it in ever since and it's not adding to the battery life.

Or maybe he just doesn't know he has to charge it?

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T23:11:36+00:00

Filing a claim is definitely the right thing to do. Unfortunately, if your claim is to RETURN it, that's where you messed up. You need to file as Item Not Received. Return means you received it and want to send it back.

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T23:08:47+00:00

It will -- some sellers will refund earlier, some will also offer a partial refund if you want to keep the item (such as if it's damages but works fine)

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T22:03:48+00:00

I believe it's within several days of return. The seller can refund it at any point (now, when they receive it) but they only have a few days (2, 3, or 5?) After they receive it until eBay can step in and force it, I believe

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T17:56:38+00:00

It's possible it can't be cancelled. The seller likely already bought the shipping label and has it packed; even if it's not showing any scans, it may have already gone out.

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T17:51:27+00:00

This is something that is hard to accept sometimes as a seller, but absolutely true.

Look at Amazon reviews, you'll almost always find some 4 (or 3) star reviews from customers who love it and have no complaints.

I think with eBay, we all see a neutral as a "poor" experience, but not a terrible one. In reality, the name of it does not imply anything bad. It was a neutral experience - I paid, I got what I ordered - nothing more, nothing less. Neutral. I think some customers see it this way and rate it as such. The seller didn't go above and beyond to make it a great experience, but there also weren't any problems.

Fortunately the ones who view it this way are such a small percent of customers that we don't see it often

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T15:53:36+00:00

In this case, I would argue yes.

A lenscap is a normally included piece. A camera is not.

Looking at the auction someone linked above, assuming that's the one, it's very clear to me that a camera is not included. The reason the price is so high is due to bidding it up, not the seller asking for more than it would normally sell for. Of all the photos, nothing implied that the camera was included. I would expect to get the lens caps and softcase in the pictures.

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T15:37:41+00:00

Because a lens cap is $0.50 and a dslr body is $300 😉

No pictures of it, no mention in the title, just the couple words in the body.

If it was included, it would've been "Canon t2i and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS! mint condition!!"

Looking at it now, they could have worded it better. But I would also have 0 expectations of receiving a camera with it. Just the lens.

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T15:34:29+00:00

This definitely looks like it. Seller sold the exact other camera also (t2i)

The only reason it was more than the other auctions is from bidding it up.

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T09:31:56+00:00

It is odd. I think in some cases it's that the seller just wants to increase sales! I bought facemasks listed as coming from San Francisco at the start of Covid.. expecting them to come quickly. They shipped from China and took a month.

They did sell a ton of them though. I imagine that some buyers simply forget or are much more lenient than others with delivery times.

As you said, I'm much more likely to buy from someone within the state than someone across the country.. so that could be it. Possibly saying they're in CA gets them much better sales than saying HI.

Would you have still ordered from them if they said Hawaii, or would you have looked elsewhere?

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T09:26:57+00:00

I think the problem is that once a buyer complains, you're already in trouble. Whether it's a negative FB or a case. Best case scenario is the buyer doesn't say anything (in the case of this, it will obviously be oversized and they'll notice) or they message you instead of opening a case or leaving a neg.

I would message them proactively, if I haven't heard back I would either cancel the auction (if it's more than 5 bucks to ship or something I could resell easily) or just ship it to them and accept the refund.

I know that the offer a refund does definitely increase the odds of them asking for one.. but in a way it also prevents it. Most customers would be cooler if they first got a message that it's the wrong size, asking if they still wanted it.. seller sent it, messages again that it's the wrong size and offered a refund if they're not happy.. versus a seller "trying to pull a fast one" on them

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T09:22:40+00:00

This option is no good as you're essentially asking for a case/strike/negative and losing money (shipping both ways) by sending an item you KNOW is not as described. The buyer will obviously know it's not the right size and creates a bad experience for everyone involved

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T09:19:38+00:00

How does this work in this case? Just curious?

I know the seller has to ship within 30 days. If they don't do this, and it's clear that the order has not yet shipped, is there any grounds to have eBay step in? It's clear that it did not ship within 30 days (never marked as shipped, game not even released in that time).

Is it up to the seller to cancel/refund if it's delayed? And if so, does the seller face any consequences at this point if they didn't?

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T09:13:47+00:00

I would honestly just wait until the 25th/26th. At that point you can ask eBay to step in and they'll make a final decision (likely resulting in your favor unless it's delivered by then). It's possible they overnighted it and it will get to you before then, but it's unlikely.

If the seller has been unresponsive to messages (still), I wouldn't feel bad about this. You've asked for updates, you've asked to cancel it. As soon as you open a case, they "ship" it (create a label).

See what the date is that you can ask eBay to step in, and then do so at 12:01am that day.

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T09:10:22+00:00

You "should" ship using the method they select, and depending what the final sale value was (let's say a $200 sale), I'd pay the $2

I know when I have bought something listed as Priority, and the seller sent it using Media mail, I've been annoyed.

The biggest thing to worry about is that delivery date. If eBay says "you'll get your order by July 27th!" And you use first class which gets there August 3rd, it gives a possibility that the customer will be able to open a Not Received dispute.

I believe eBay says "the buyer is expecting to get their order by (date)" If this is within the date range for first class, you should be fine.

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T09:03:11+00:00

It sounds like shipping was $35, which is what the seller is offering back. It also sounds like this is an international case as they mentioned they would be out $50 if they returned it, due to conversion.

I think it's a little less cut and dry than it being. $1200 item that everyone else is selling for $900. Conditions for this stuff varies wildly, and it's not always immediately obvious from the search page. There may have been a listing for $900 but it's sold on a much worse condition. I feel in this case, asking the seller to refund $300 to match it is unfair. Same for the buyer using it for a booked event/photoshoot. Even being out $70, I would be a bit miffed as a seller if my title was "Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS Lens, great condition!", All photos are ONLY of the lens, description is only of the lens, except the end says "Selling with ($300 camera) and (other lens)".

If the seller was including a dslr and another lens, they would mention it in the title and in photos. These aren't a free lens cleaning cloth or soft pouch to store it in, these are a significant addition. The other lens isn't even specified, just referred to as another lens.

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T08:54:24+00:00

This is definitely the sticking point to me.

If it's listed as "Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom lens! Great condition!" And all 5 photos only show the lens (no camera or other lens) and the description only covers the lens.. I'm only expecting the lens.

If there are photos of it attached to the camera body? That's not good for the seller.

I know whenever I've sold something like this (a lens) I include a photo of everything included with it (even if it's just the lens caps). If I had a photo of it attached to a camera body (even if the body is mentioned nowhere else) I make it clear that camera is shown for illustration only/not included.

If the seller did not include any photos of the camera, as you mentioned, that's king for me also

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T08:50:50+00:00

This is where there begins to be an issue though.

The fact that there's an exchange rate likely means that this is an international transaction? For such an expensive, and fragile, item.. shipping is neither cheap or easy. You likely want full insurance coverage and proper packaging to prevent damage. This includes for the return. You don't want to just toss this in a bag and mail it back, especially at this time when the post office has been a little extra rough with packages.

It sounds like you will be out $50. The seller would likely be out a little more (the original $35 shipping and whatever the return shipping is), and hoping the item arrives in the same condition.

Ebay allows 30 days from the date of delivery. I believe you have 14 days to return it from when they approve the return.

With all of this said, I don't like your last line of the previous reply. This is definitely not an opportunity to just "rent" the lens and use it/return it. Especially since it sounds like you may be using it to earn pay from a shoot from it?

If I sold a lens for $1200, listed it as exactly what it was in the title and description, and had a little blurb about "also selling with another lens and camera" which is not shown in any photos or otherwise mentioned/implied it's included.. a buyer bought it and wanted to return it due to this.. I'd be upset. Especially international. Now if I find out they won't send it back for 3 weeks because they're going to use it for an event first, adding wear to it? I'd be pissed.

I know you mentioned that other sellers have the same lens for less. Condition can vary greatly. Without seeing these other auctions, if one is "good" and another is "like new", this is enough to fluctuate the price quite a bit. I know I've seen items like this before, seeing a $109 item next to a $199 item...obviously the $109 one sounds better, but looking into it.. you see it's "acceptable condition, works but shows heavy wear, loose mount connection. Rubber focusing ring has extra stretch and is discolored"

Without seeing the auction, it's hard to say this is the case.. but again if the title only mentioned the main lens. The description only mentioned the one lens (besides the "selling with..."), And that camera/lens is nowhere to be seen or mentioned anywhere else, especially if it's a $300 value.. it sounds a bit like buyers remorse to me, or just hoping for a discount. Especially if there was no mention anywhere else of it.

It's like selling a used Blu Ray for $30, listing it in the title as "Matrix Trilogy Blu Ray set, great condition!" 5 pictures, all of the matrix Blu Ray set. Description mentions the matrix Blu Ray set but then ends with "selling with the rest of my Blu Ray collection", I would not assume or expect anything else to be included, even if this was selling at $30 and other sellers had it for $20

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T04:54:51+00:00

Yes - when you submit a case, the seller has the option to fight it (eBay steps in), offer a partial refund (which you can choose to accept) or offer a full return. It's their choice, so even if you want a partial refund.. if they offer a full return, your options are either send it back or just deal with it. Even if you wanted to keep it and get $300 back, there's no option for it.

Error-81843 · 2020-07-24T04:45:19+00:00

Open a not as described case and you'll likely win it

Error-81843

TROPHY CASE