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OpenStep · Jan 19, 2005, 07:47 PM

Have any of you guys recently had bad eBay experiences? I've had an ongoing battle with one since before Christmas. I had a 233 MHz PowerBook G3 Wallstreet (the thick and bulky one without USB) on eBay and it sold for just under $100. The guy that won it had two feedback marks, one neutral and one negitive. I knew from the begining the sale was going to be a pain in the ass. I had to eat a couple bucks mailing it to Hawaii when my auction stated I would only ship UPS ground. He gets it and claims it "doesn't work". I ask him what exactly the problem is and he says "the screen doesn't boot up" and he is demanding a refund. Keep in mind I was using this system for 2 months before it was sold and it ran strong with zero issues. I told him to refer to the auction stating it is working but sold "as-is". If I state as-is this is releiving me of any warranty, right? I honestly think this is a case of the buyer is too stupid to figure out how to correctly use the laptop or he is trying to pull a fast one to get a free laptop. What really sucks is he compained to PayPal and now they have a hold on my lousy $100 as they "investigate" this. Have any of you guys sold stuff as-is and had it backfire? Anyone use a 3rd party company like SquareTrade to settle disputes like this? I've already got negitive feedback and I just want my damn money

::edit:: here's the link to the auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5738422862

TheBadgerHunter · Jan 19, 2005, 07:50 PM

I'd take a stab and say if you're going to do as-is don't use anything with an intermediary that might stop the payment.

nerd · Jan 19, 2005, 08:01 PM

good response to email, Did not receive payment.

Reply by rettek808: LOL....thats because i didnt receive item.

I really like that feedback.

I've been selling a few old computer things over the last 2 weeks and my only compaint was people not giving me feedback. I hope this works out in your favor.

Brad

PurpleGiant · Jan 19, 2005, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by OpenStep:
What really sucks is he compained to PayPal and now they have a hold on my lousy $100 as they "investigate" this.

Doesn't help you this time - but your tip for the future is to withdraw the money from PayPal as soon as you get it. That way they can't freeze your money or take it back, and you can ignore jokers like this.

GoGoReggieXPowars · Jan 19, 2005, 08:08 PM

Dang, I would have bought that thing off ya!

Mr. Blur · Jan 19, 2005, 08:11 PM

hmm....160 positive feedback vs -2 positive feedback....seems like a pretty open and shut case to me.

OptimusG4 · Jan 19, 2005, 08:14 PM

Thankfully there is an option in the eBay settings to not allow people with negative feedback to view your auction. Also, when I sell, I always put in there I will not sell to anyone with less than 10 postive feedbacks. I know new people will have a problem with this but I'm just trying to save my a$$ some money in fees and avoid crap like this.

Buckaroo · Jan 19, 2005, 08:33 PM

What shipping method did you use? I always ship insured to avoid problems like this. Tell him to return it to you at his expense and if it is still in the same condition that you shipped it out, you'll refund him his money.

OpenStep · Jan 19, 2005, 09:04 PM

The thing is he doesn't want to send it back ?!? because it costs $50 2nd day air via UPS. He's trying to stick me with the return money charge. The funny thing is I ate $20 shipping it 2nd day so he could have it in time for Christmas

BTW the tip about blocking people from bidding on your auctions if they have less than a -1 score or more than 2 unpaid strikes within the last 30 days is awesome. I just turned it on. I advise any other eBay sellers to turn it on to completely avoid these kind of buyers.

V12 · Jan 19, 2005, 09:44 PM

Originally posted by OpenStep:
The thing is he doesn't want to send it back ?!? because it costs $50 2nd day air via UPS. He's trying to stick me with the return money charge. The funny thing is I ate $20 shipping it 2nd day so he could have it in time for Christmas BTW the tip about blocking people from bidding on your auctions if they have less than a -1 score or more than 2 unpaid strikes within the last 30 days is awesome. I just turned it on. I advise any other eBay sellers to turn it on to completely avoid these kind of buyers.

how do i do this ?

i have sold 4 items on ebay this wekk and 3 buyers were 0 feedbackers who are either new to ebay or just suck at it lol... i would love to have this option

OpenStep · Jan 19, 2005, 09:57 PM

I went to "My eBay", then my account on the left bar and then eBay preferences. There's a section for _Buyer requirements where I checked off :

Block buyers who: _
_
Are registered in countries to which I don't ship

Have a feedback score of -1 or lower

Have received 2 Unpaid Item strikes in the last 30 days

Cody Dawg · Jan 19, 2005, 10:45 PM

Yes, I love that blocked bidder preference.

Now, about eBay and annoying issues?

There are a lot of them, but mostly I love eBay. I buy a lot and I sell a lot.

tinman831 · Jan 19, 2005, 11:32 PM

just keep all the emails that you have sent to this guy. if you stated in the auction that the laptop was sold "as-is" and he bought the laptop, hes stuck with it. don't talk to this guy anymore and just deal with paypal to have your money returned. tell paypal what he said in the emails "that he GOT the laptop" and it was sold "as is" to show that there was no deception on your part. they should give you your money back.

also simply withdrawing your money out as fast as you can wont do anything since paypal will simply pull the money from your account. dont even bother with squaretrade and just tell paypal to give you your money back. and remember to set your ebay preferences to block out bidders like him. it may cost you but its better than the hassle of going through something like this. good luck getting your money back

Captain Obvious · Jan 20, 2005, 06:21 AM

Originally posted by tinman831:
j

also simply withdrawing your money out as fast as you can wont do anything since paypal will simply pull the money from your account. dont even bother with squaretrade and just tell paypal to give you your money back. and remember to set your ebay preferences to block out bidders like him. it may cost you but its better than the hassle of going through something like this. good luck getting your money back

When did they start doing that.

PurpleGiant · Jan 20, 2005, 07:06 AM

Originally posted by Captain Obvious:
When did they start doing that.

Indeed. I haven't heard anything of the like.

Mastrap · Jan 20, 2005, 08:11 AM

Originally posted by PurpleGiant:
Indeed. I haven't heard anything of the like.

They always have done.

Cody Dawg · Jan 20, 2005, 09:31 AM

Yep, they sure have.

They reconfirmed that policy when Paypal was sold to eBay.

To keep your account you had to click "I Agree" to their terms and policies page and that was explicitely stated in their user agreement.

I have had a Paypal account for 5 years. I have had an eBay account for 5 years. I have had a total of 0 chargebacks like that.

If I am sending an electronic item I bring my packing and shipping materials to the shipping location and have them verify the item (the condition) and then I double box it and ship it right at the shipping counter be it FedEx or UPS. I've never had an issue. If the buyer says the item has a problem I say, "Here's the paperwork including the insurance information. Knock yourself out filing for an insurance claim or reimbursement. I'm out of it. Item was AS IS."

Captain Obvious · Jan 21, 2005, 05:01 AM

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
.

If I am sending an electronic item I bring my packing and shipping materials to the shipping location and have them verify the item (the condition) and then I double box it and ship it right at the shipping counter be it FedEx or UPS. I've never had an issue. If the buyer says the item has a problem I say, "Here's the paperwork including the insurance information. Knock yourself out filing for an insurance claim or reimbursement. I'm out of it. Item was AS IS."

I wasn�t aware anyone did certified inspections on the operational condition of electronic items mailed and insured through them. Best I have seen is a quick look-over the physical condition of the item and I don�t believe they signed any affidavit stating it was in said condition. It was more like they were making sure what you were sending was intact.

TETENAL · Jan 21, 2005, 05:23 AM

"As is" does not mean you can conceal any defects of what you are selling.

The right thing to do in this case � even though it sucks a little bit � is to ask the buyer to return the item and refund him. Then never do business with him again.