How is an Australian seller not based in Australia?

[ivak245]

I bought a laptop battery which stated that it was located in Melbourne.  The ad clearly states "3 year warranty".  After 18 months, the battery has nearly died, so I thought I would contact the seller and see if I can get a replacement. Of course they ignored my request, so I thought a phone call or letter may help- except when I dug deeper I found out they are based in Hong Kong! So a letter to ACCC will be pointless. Trying to get Ebay to do anything is useless, because it is outside the 90 day return period.  I have run out of ideas. 

(Or is Hong Kong one of the new outer suburbs of Melbourne?)

[repentatleisure1952]

This could have been avoided by clicking on the seller's feedback prior to purchase... something that every buyer should do.

You would have seen they are registered as being in Hong Kong.

There is no "90 day return period".

eBay offer a 30 day money back guarantee.https://www.ebay.com.au/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-pol...

[sandypebbles]

I wondered what the 90 day comment was about?

Edit *To OP

also just to clarify my comment above, I meant eBay not touching sellers registered in China/Hong Kong for being dodgy in general in the 30 day time limit, rather than the 30 day MBG guarantee not applying for items sold by such sellers

Still both things easily avoidable by checking feedback first

[the3coopers]

 

twyngyn said... "Australian Seller = seller will post to Australia"

That is a bit too simplistic, and not quite correct. When you are on the eBay Australia website, it's actually:

A) Search and filter for "Item Location : Australia Only" = Listed on eBay Australia, and Item Location is "Australia".

B) Search and filter for "Worldwide" = Item listed on another country's eBay site, but will post to Australia.

C) Search with Default (Item Location) = both A) and B) usually with items listed on eBay Australian (even if posted from overseas) given priority.

D) Items listed on another country's eBay site, the PRICE will be shown in ITALICS

E) In the search results, if the item location is overseas, it will show (eg) "from China" under the price.

F) In the item listing, the item location is shown under the POSTAGE section (eg: "from China").

G) The location of the seller (and what laws and guarantees might apply) is only shown on the seller's Feedback Page > Show All Feedback > 

• Member since: 01-Dec-20 in China

All of those things are completely separate. A seller might be located in Australia (G), and list items on eBay Australia (A or C) yet be posting from China (E and F).

OR a seller might be located in China, List on eBay Australia, and have their stock in Australia, etc, etc.

None of any of that makes the slightest difference to any warranty. For all intents and purposes, there is no warranty on eBay Australia other than the 30-day Money Back Guarantee.

The exception is if you buy from a Registered Australian Business displaying an ABN, in which case you'd need to make any warranty claim them as a normal shop like K-Mart, GoodGuys, etc. If they don't honour it, you would enforce via your local Consumer Laws authority (eg: NSW Fair Trading).

Does that answer it, and/or can you supply more info?

[domino-710]

LOL.........................................

[sandypebbles]

Point being,

the OP stated the item location said Melbourne, ergo it was an Australian seller (stated Australian seller in the heading

Based on what the item location said alone

The regulars here are well aware about the bare basics such as 'warranties' and to look at a sellers feedback before buying. I doubt those who can't be bothered looking who they are buying from shall bother reading anything else

[domino-710]

To say nothing of checking delivery times.

[twyngwyn]

Australian Seller = seller will post to Australia...always check the feedback for where they are registered

[sandypebbles]

Check the seller's feedback before you buy

That would have shown the seller is registered in Hong Kong

No need for digging, it is right there, one click away

The item location does not mean that is where the seller is, and it did not say the seller was in Melbourne (it does not show the seller's state)

Plus there is no warranty (regardless of what the ad says) unless the seller is an authorised seller or reseller for the brand 

And no, eBay will not do anything about sellers in China/Hong Kong even within time limits 

And most of you recent feedback is from seller's in China anyway

[mickcosperth]

Because they are deceptive.
Just avoid ANY SELLER THAT IS.

[davewil1964]

Indeed. Something the Op was advised to do SIX months ago

[sandypebbles]

And the OP continues to buy from sellers with feedback in the gutter