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Maybe ... maybe not.
I sold a cheap pair of used tyres on ebay recently, forgot to uncheck the "Don't sell to foreigners" box and they ended up being bought by someone in Germany via their international shipment programme.
The buyer clearly hadn't read/understood the advert properly, or chose to ignore my description of the tyres, the photos provided and the cheap price that reflected their condition. Either way, he opened a payment dispute - not as described. I rejected the request on principle as they were as described so we head into the dispute process which takes an age.
In the meantime, he choses to return the tyres ... or should I say what I actually received was some kind of used electrical cooking pot. I tell him he hasn't returned the tyres but he ignores my message.
Finally, I get the outcome from ebay.
So no decision was made by ebay ... the buyer's payment institute found in his favour and ebay respond accordingly. I get charged the cost of the item and a £14 dispute fee for the pleasure! Oh, and I'm left with an electric pan (with euro plug) but no tyres.
I plucked up the strength today to try contacting ebay, expecting a rather protracted conversation that would probably end up with no acceptable response and me still fifty four quid down, no tyres but a pan I can't plug in without an adapter.
Much to my surprise, the American chap I spoke to was incredibly helpful. He worked through the problem and went away to understand the options available. He returned to tell me the item was probably damaged through their international shipping programme so could refund me on that basis. Dispute amount and fees retracted, I can keep the pan.
Now ultimately, I'm no worse off but the process is so messed up. I know it isn't a surprise to anyone to say no-one really cares but it's so sad that no-one does. The buyer didn't make the effort to look at what he was buying, the buyers 'payment institute' took the path of least resistance and ebay equally took the path easiest to them to keep their customer happy. The customer service chap found the easiest way to keep me happy (albeit, very pleasantly and professionally).
I have no reason to assume the tyres did not arrive as I sent them so were as described/photographed. I'm surprised I got a succesful outcome (for me), but it all just feels so very wrong. Another reason to make ebay too much trouble.
The ebay policy of allowing buyers to say whatever they want and get away with returning whatever they like is totally unreasonable. I've been burnt a number of times by it, with buyers badly damaging things like watches or camera equipment and just sending it back. Nothing else to say about the matter.
I gave up selling on eBay a good while ago, just not worth the effort and potential hassles.
Coincidentally I just sold a set of very lightly used XR4 tyres on Facebook Marketplace within an hour of listing and with no dicking around from the buyer.
I don't sell to any non UK buyers or ship to any obvious forwarding addresses - haven't sold since their new rules came in so don't know if it's still possible to opt out like that still.
Bit confused as to how he was able to "return" while there was a dispute ongoing - where did he get the return address from?
Anyway, sounds like a scam (returning a different item) and eBay customer service did its job? On the odd occasion I've had issues they've sorted it out (in my favour) quickly so I've no problem buying / selling on there - the positive experiences have massively outweighed the negative in the 20 years I've been on there.
Bit confused as to how he was able to "return" while there was a dispute ongoing
Dunno. It came back through the international shipping programme.
sounds like a scam (returning a different item)
That's my take on it but it feels like a lot of effort for a pair of used tyres!
eBay customer service did its job
It did, and was surprisingly helpful, however the resolution was to say it got damaged in transport (which it wasnt), presumably at a cost to whichever carrier manages that service.
As above - I just use Facebook now. I posted an SUP yesterday, an hour later someone turned up at my house with the agreed price in £££s and took it away. Sorted.
My son has been stung before - selling an airbag module - clearly said it's just the module without the connecting cables. Buyer complained 'no cables' and ebay sided with buyer despite clear advert. Buyer didn't send it back though ! More recently, it's been cash on collection, which has worked for him.
I just use eBay to work out the going rate for what I’m selling then list it on marketplace. Sold a tv and ooni pizza oven recently with no hassle.
I wonder if there really was a mix up in the international forwarding system and there's a confused German wondering why on earth the strange Englishman had sent him a crockpot instead of the tyres he'd paid for. And then denied there was any discrepancy...