topic Re: 'Contact Seller' counts as description? in Buying

'Contact Seller' counts as description?

joshua1847 — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 02:55:55 GMT

I have recently purchased an item which had no description. I contacted the seller (through the 'Contact Seller' option) to ask to clarification about what was included in the purchase (before buying it), and recieved ample information. I also asked about whether a part of the title was a typo, and they said it was (500MB instead of 500GB, as no version of the item exists with 500MB)

If I recieve the item and it does not include what the seller provided clarification about throught the messaging system, can I use the messages that I sent as backing to ask for a refund? Or does the refund proof only reply on the listing details?

Re: 'Contact Seller' counts as description?

digital*ghost — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 03:05:56 GMT

Ask the seller to copy/paste their reply into the listing description. At least that way you won't have to worry, and if they refuse, I wouldn't buy.

Re: 'Contact Seller' counts as description?

foxette-in-sox — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 03:44:54 GMT

DG, pretty sure the OP has already bought the item.

The OP has also left negative feedback for a seller recently re item doesn't match

description...................

Re: 'Contact Seller' counts as description?

joshua1847 — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 03:57:01 GMT

I should say that the negative feedback was for a seller where the description did not match the item, not a message.

Additionally, that negative feedback was not for what I am referring to; the recently purchased item is still on its way.

Re: 'Contact Seller' counts as description?

lyndal1838 — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 04:35:02 GMT

There is little point in asking hypothetical questions.

Wait till the item arrives before looking for trouble.....you may be pleasantly surprised.

Re: 'Contact Seller' counts as description?

digital*ghost — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 04:44:01 GMT

Woops, I should read more carefully. Or just not use my mobile, lol.

Might help with a future purchase maybe.

Re: 'Contact Seller' counts as description?

joshua1847 — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 05:10:33 GMT

While it is hypothetical, I would like to know just for future reference.

Re: 'Contact Seller' counts as description?

lyndal1838 — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 06:44:58 GMT

Then take notice of digi's reply.

There could be many possible replies depending on the exact circumstances....you could receive several answers and none of them covers your exact scenario.

Wait till you have a problem and then give us all the details that you can.

Re: 'Contact Seller' counts as description?

gutterpunkz05 — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 08:57:00 GMT

Confusion could reign supreme. If I understand correctly, the seller has told you the item is 500MB not 500GB as listed, but you

believe a 500MB version does not exist, is that correct. Then I assume you are expecting to receive a 500GB item, even though the seller has stated that the item is 500MB. In other words you are hedging your bets and hoping to receive a 500GB item, but if you

receive a 500MB item you want to be able to claim INAD, is that why we are in this pre-emptive mode.

Re: 'Contact Seller' counts as description?

joshua1847 — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 09:15:11 GMT

Let me clarify: The item is listed as 500MB, but he told me that this was a typo and that I was correct in assuming he meant 500GB.

The object in question:

1. Has never had a 500MB version, and
2. For some reason is listed on eBay as 500MB by different sellers (selling the same type of object.) I think this is an error that eBay makes when you choose what object you are selling, because the two options (of this object) you can choose from on the 'Sell' page has both 500GB and 500MB.

Re: 'Contact Seller' counts as description?

gutterpunkz05 — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 09:35:03 GMT

So it is listed as 500MB, but you are expecting to receive 500GB item. If you and the seller have agreed that the item description is

incorrect, why didn't you have the seller correct the listing before purchasing. Seller may be just as confused as we are,

Re: 'Contact Seller' counts as description?

joshua1847 — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 09:42:59 GMT

Because:

1. The option (my theory) is locked when you choose that specific item when selling, considering that so many other sellers seem to make the same mistake
2. I asked the question under 'contact seller' and 'details about the item', so I thought that by asking him these questions and getting these responses, it counted as additional information about the item, which is why I initially posted this thread.

However, I think I see now that this issue is very confusing to read, especially when nothing at all has happened yet. I will leave this thread be until the item actually arrives, and I'll post about whether or not it was necessary to post this in the first place.

Re: 'Contact Seller' counts as description?

gutterpunkz05 — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 10:12:34 GMT

"Hopefully you will get the right item, But if the incorrect information was entered by the seller, then the seller should be able to correct it. If the error was in auto filled specs and could not be corrected or removed by the seller, then it can be easily clarrified in the item description.

Re: 'Contact Seller' counts as description?

digital*ghost — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 10:20:39 GMT

I think that unless you have cause to actually test the theory and find otherwise, you should always presume only the listing details are taken into account, and not any details provided through messaging.

It is possible eBay may take that into consideration, but I suspect it is not usual, and would be done on a case by case basis, with no guarantee that any give case would have that info taken into account.

The reason I say this is not just to advise you to err on the side of caution, but because buyers messaging sellers for further details is relatively common in secondhand clothing categories, if anecdotes on the board are anything to go by, and there have been cases related where only the listing details were taken into account when deciding cases.

However, I say eBay may still take info relayed in messaging because , well... honestly because eBay is eBay and their policies are vague, which often allows different reps to interpret them in different ways - though, if you take the MBG policy absolutely literally, then it does strictly apply to listing details.