@okaynetsell wrote:
(3 out of 3, perfect score and yes 3 different sellers)
i think this is an annoyance tactic used by big sellers to avoid their responsibility because the would know that a certain percentage of customers would give up their case at this point!
Is Ebay aware of this?
Any comments?
I have several...
Some you may find applicable to your circumstances, some may not be, but I am inclined to be thorough here as I only have general info from your post to go on.
The first thing I would ask is, are you considering the seller's perspective in these cases, or just your own?
The reason I ask that is because here are some reasons why sellers will request photos of products if the buyer sends a message to say it's faulty, or damaged.
Sellers have a right of inspection of goods when there is a fault or damage.
For example, I make a lot of the products I sell. if someone contacts me and says it's damaged, I would like to know how and where (this will help me determine whether it's a design flaw, or a component flaw), and whether or not it's even worth paying to have the item sent back - if I can see the item in a photo, I can decide whether I want it back, or whether I'll just send out a replacement (or refund).
Some sellers have suppliers who require photographic evidence of product faults, and can reimburse or credit them based on those images, so again sometimes it's easier - for everyone concerned - to resolve the issue based on photos alone, and no one has to mess round with returning a faulty item.
Let's not make this about a buyer's personal feelings or reactions to a request for photos as though it's questioning their honesty and / or integrity, because being able to verify the fault puts the seller in a much better position to provide the fastet most appropriate solution for the buyer.
If I can not see photos, then I will require the item to be returned before I will action any remedy for the buyer, so that the item can be inspected and the cause of the fault is determined - this is essential if just to ensure the same issue doesn't continue to occur, as I will usually have multiple quantities of the same items available, which means for me as the seller, it's not just about an indivual transaction, but potentially hundreds. The faster I can see the problem, the faster I can take preventative measures if I need to.
By the way, very few of my buyers have ever refused to provide photos when requested, though when I ask for them, I also advise that if images aren't possible, I'll need the item to be returned, with return postage reimbursed. Funnily enough, those that refuse to send through photos, also refuse to return the product at my expense. I always wondered why that is? Very strange.
(I'll send them a 10 hour video of me just wandering aimlessly through my house, looking for whatever widget they sent. Then a 15 hour sequel (Parcel Search 2 - Beyond the Mailbox) of me going up to the post office and arguing with staff. 
