topic Re: Item Returns in Selling

Item Returns

mixed_tape — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:03:54 GMT

Hi all. Question. Someone just bought a guitar of me, and now not even 24hrs later sends me a message asking to return it because he doesn't know how to tune the guitar properly! Am I in my right to say no? And if I do say no, it would mean he could leave me a bad rating.

What should I do?

Re: Item Returns

putney32 — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:09:59 GMT

it was a pick up item, there is no requirement to accept a return on a pick up item.

who knows what they may have done to the guitar in the meantime>?

email them politely and say, Sorry, no returns as clearly stated in the auction.

sure you may cop a neg. but they could return it and still leave you a neg. no guarantees there. Stay professional, and do what your gut tells you is right. NO Returns is there to stop a 'change of mind'.... could you maybe offer to tune it for them??

Re: Item Returns

kopenhagen5 — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:19:02 GMT

I have a small guitar tuner, they are great and easy to use.

Perhaps suggest that as well -

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Korg-GA1-Professional-Solo-Guitar-And-Bass-Digital-Tuner-NEW-/251051963236?pt=AU_Instrument_Accessories&hash=item3a73dcf364

Re: Item Returns

phorum_junkie* — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:05:48 GMT

I would probably offer them a refund less all ebay fees if they brought it back in the same condition they received it in as you had underbidders so may be able to do a successful SCO.

You could also offer them the option of selling it on and you allow them to use your photos and description.

No way can you predict how they will react with feedback whatever you do and I would never let the feedback issue enter the equation, in other words I would not do anything based on somebodies else's idea of fair feedback. I would always do what I would hope a seller would do for me in the same situation.

Re: Item Returns

mixed_tape — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:31:15 GMT

thank you all. the guy has called me twice now leaving MSG and emailing me saying the guitat wont stay in tune and I should have said in the discription it had issues. the thing is 2 months old and I never had an issue. he is demanding me call him and get his money back. lucky I have a cop living next to me!!

Re: Item Returns

fred_fred_2004 — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:35:26 GMT

Dont forget new strings stretch and you often have to retune a few times until they settle down

Re: Item Returns

kopenhagen5 — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:55:03 GMT

Good point fred, I'd say you have hit the nail on the head.

Mixed tape, perhaps explain the strings being new need constant re-tuning as well as sending a link or two from the internet backing up your story. Some strings take quite a while to settle down. I sometimes overtighten a little and leave overnight then tune down.

Re: Item Returns

mixed_tape — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 03:27:47 GMT

he said he is now going to lodge a dispute , does he have a leg to stand on?

Re: Item Returns

kopenhagen5 — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 04:22:09 GMT

If it was a pick up item, there is no PayPal buyer or seller protection as buyer normally inspects, and if happy, pays, then takes it home.

I am just a little surprised he wants to take that avenue so soon. I thought you guys were talking and maybe you did too.

Probably as PJ suggested, easier to take back, refund and offer to underbidder or re-list. It will probably sell quite easily. Rather than trying to prove the string theory, (which is most likely the prob) buyer seems to have a bee in his bonnet now.

Being nice and easy for the refund, you might only get a neut, besides replying to feedback with Have Refunded, always shows you are prepared to solve issues.

Re: Item Returns

*new2vintage — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 04:28:24 GMT

If you are sure there's nothing wrong with the guitar tell him there isn't a valid reason for you to give a refund. You don't need to be like K Mart and refund for no particular reason.

Re: Item Returns

a_beautiful_room — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 04:31:12 GMT

What a goose, I wouldn't offer him a refund. I can't stand people who get all high and mighty and threatening. Let him open a dispute. All you have to do is reply in the dispute that it was a pick up item and he will 100% lose as there is no protection on pick up items at all, in any circumstance.

Just ignore his messages, respond in the dispute as suggested, and if he does leave you bad feedback well who cares, you don't sell for a living, so it will make no difference at all to your life. Respond to the neg professionally and politely and others will see that he is a twit as no doubt he will use capitals, spell incorrectly and say something ludicrous.

Have a good Christmas and forget him 🙂

It sounds like there is nothing wrong with the guitar at all.

Re: Item Returns

mixed_tape — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:59:07 GMT

This was his response " I am tuning to b tuning and it is impossible to keep in tune. I have been playing different guitars for many years and know when a guitar does not stay in tune. I would not have sold a guitar in such condition. I have checked on the internet and this seems to be a common problem. I can accept the guitar requiring a setup intonation etc. but not holding tune. I think this issue should have been stated on the ebay ad. I would do if I was selling any guitar. I would appreciate my money back as I believe that this issue is a defect and should have stated in the ebay ad"

And I can honestly say I never had any issues with it... I hardly played the thing, in the 2mths I had it... and I also had to get the guitar shop to import it as fender had none in stock, I've probably played it once a week for about 5min. So yeah, this guy is just full of it, no refund, I don't know what he is doing to the guitar, or if has any idea about what he's doing, let alone what happened with the guitar when he was driving home with it.

Ungrateful b*stard, I even gave him $20 for paying in cash rather than paypal!

Re: Item Returns

mixed_tape — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 07:05:16 GMT

I have found reviews on musiciansfriend.com. but when I bought the guitar I never knew of these issues, I didn't find any issues, and not every guitar stays in perfect tune 100% of the time.

Before he bought the guitar he should have read these views, it's not up to me to read other peoples reviews.

Re: Item Returns

foxette-in-sox — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 07:25:08 GMT

JMO but your buyer sounds as dumb as someone buying a piano & then opening a dispute because they can't open the lid.

Re: Item Returns

siggie-reported-by-alarmists — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 07:33:30 GMT

If he has paid you cash...he can't force a refund.

This transaction has nothing to do with PayPal.

You sold your guitar at Auction, as a private seller. He inspected the item, then paid for it "as is".

Print out a copy of your listing while you still can. (keep a copy).

Just in case he is litigious. Ignore him.

Re: Item Returns

kopenhagen5 — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 07:46:12 GMT

Maybe he is playing a Pete Townsend number -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVG9u_nxWBI

:^O Seriously, hope it goes in your favour as it should. BTW a good link from sotr63.

Re: Item Returns

mixed_tape — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 07:46:17 GMT

What can ebay do? Will they send me an enquiry that he's lodge a dispute and I just reply to it?

I know paypal has nothing to do with it, was just saying I told the guy if he pays cash id give him $20 rather than pay via paypal.

The guy has not had the guitar for 10hrs and decides it's not good. Just annoying

Re: Item Returns

digital*ghost — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:01:39 GMT

What can ebay do?

Nothing, pretty much. They will encourage communication between yourself and the buyer, but they can't make any decisions and/or enforce a return and refund.

Re: Item Returns

*new2vintage — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:08:40 GMT

Ebay can't do anything about it. A dispute can only be lodged with Paypal and he has paid with cash. He can only leave feedback and don't be afraid of that.

Re: Item Returns

2106greencat — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:10:49 GMT

I checked his feedback, and he does not seem to make a habit of this sort of thing. It may well be an actual fault?? you admit yourself you have hardly ever played it, so if there was a tune holding fault, you may not have been aware of it. Maybe just accept the item back, less your listing fees, fvf, and the $20 you floated him