Pocket Rocket with faulty carby...seller is making false technical statements

[girlpeta]

I have had no problems with any sellers or buyers before this last month...something is in the air.

I bought a mini bike (Pocket Rocket) from a seller in Sydney...imported from China I now know.

$206 for the bike.  Mixed Premium Unleaded Fuel with a 2 Stroke Oil as per the mixing bottle provided with the bike.  Followed all other instructions.

The day it arrived, the bike was ridden for about 30 mins.  The next day it was ridden for not more than 60 mins when it spluttered to a stop and would not restart.  The pull start cord was fixed and not able to be moved.

I emailed and advised the seller the next morning, I was told I must have mixed the fuel incorrectly. They told me to empty all the fuel and the carby, clean out the tank and try mixing the fuel correctly.  I was also advised if this didn't fix the problem I may need to replace the motor.......Pffft!

I packaged the bike back up and returned it to them within the 7 days and advised them of the tracking information.  I followed up every couple of days to ask for an update.....

After the item had been back with the seller for 2 weeks, they have advised that by leaving the mixed fuel in the tank overnight, the fuel/oil mixture had "separated and crystalised" clogging the carburetor...they were deeming the issue misuse.

It's now at the point where I have advised them I am fully aware that fuel/oil mixture does not separate overnight as they would have me believe and also that a mechanic friend was with us during the 1.5hrs of use we had of the bike....and that I respectfully requested a full refund of the purchase price.

No reply

I have followed all the links of the automated process to try to raise an issue with a returned item...but I am getting nowhere!

[horizon1907]

Open an Item not as Described Case immediately. It sounds to me as if you are being stalled. An old trick, but many fall for it. Do not leave it go over the 45 day cut off point.  ( unless you already have ) 😞

[horizon1907]

ooops, didn't read the OP properly.  You have already sent the item back. I would let ebay know about the case details also. Keep contacting the seller and if you keep getting nowhere, Report the seller. 🙂

[imastawka]

Seller has 108 negs and 78 neutrals in total.    fb 97.7%

Why do people keep buying from them?????

[black*poppy]

Just curious, did you put gear oil in it?  All 2-strokes need it for clutch lubrication etc, most likely not included from factory..

[imastawka]

I see the seller 'preferred' bank deposit and gave instructions.

I hope you paid by paypal

[girlpeta]

I certainly did pay by PayPal

[girlpeta]

I can't find a way through the eBay automated reporting process....it's so frustrating.

I did put in a Customer Support contact request and I got back a list of steps to follow to raise an issue.

It brought me to a deadend......and at every dead end is the question....Was this Information Useful?   Grrrrrr

[girlpeta]

No I did not.

I did follow the operating instructions though step by step...they were generic instructions though

[black*poppy]

I dunno..... the main reason for an engine to seize up like that would be the wrong mix, so that would be misuse.... the "crystalisation" sounds like bs though.

But you could be right and the carby was running too lean from the factory... but now you've sent the bike back, how on earth are you going to prove it (or any other conceivable factory fault)?

The problem is that Paypal does not work as a warranty system, it just guarantees the item was described at the point of delivery, which in your case it was clearly working.  Paypal also states not to send back an item until you are instructed to do.  If the seller has confirmed they've got it back then phew!  They can't keep the item and the money.  But if the case is decided against you, you might end up with the broken bike back.  

I'm not sure how you stand with your statutory consumer rights as it could be construed as misuse???????

Eek... bit of a can of worms.  Certainly put in a claim with paypal but be prepared that you may not get the result you are after.

Always open a dispute first with paypal before returning anything.