Returning an item after 90 days for a refund

[jlseamo]

Purchased a Solar Blanket on the 21st Sept and it was delivered on the 25th Sept 2024.

I became faulty on the 29th Sept 2024

Only 30 days replacement, but this has 2 years warranty.

I have been communicating since the 29th Sept 2024.  We agreed to send it back through Pack and Send at cost, but the seller has not been forthcoming with all the detail that Pack and Send require.   1. No name of address  2. No phone number (gave an incorrect one as I tried to ring them) 3. no email address.

They have also been very lax in replying promptly to communication

I have been onto Ebay - Paypal - Bank. Appears no one can help

This has dragged on for 25 days and I fear that the seller is just delaying the process.

Last night correspondence received. Because its been 90 days they want me to pay not only $67 for return, but another $150 because it has been 90 days.

I messaged them saying I was willing to pay the $67 but not the $150 as the 90 days is not yet passed.

Got an email tonight saying  quote    "Hi since your order has exceeded 90 days,eBay doesn't allow us to issue the refund.
And we only offer 60 days free turn replacement.
Best regards "

I was talking to Prateek at ebay tonight and stated what I was doing $67 for agreed return and just a refund. No mention that ebay does not allow them to issue a refund after 90 days.

Can someone please help as this is ridiculous.     $600 item with 2 years warranty

[jlseamo]

Not user error was  just connecting it into the Bluetti power pak and had been done everyday for the last 2 months.  It started catching on fire and blew a hole in the 4th panel

[domino-710]

It was being explained why both eBay & PP declined your claim.

The item worked for 60 odd days - therefore as described - as far as eBay's 30 days is concerned.

PayPal would deny such a claim after this period of time as the item functioned.

No-one is accusing you of error - it's just the way it would be seen by eBay & PP.

[sandypebbles]

That happened because it was knock off rubbish from a questionable seller in China and hence not to Australian safety standards 

Paypal have no way to judge what happened after two months of use, as has been explained twice

While bad enough what happened, it could have been far, far worse which is why it is never worth risking buying something like this off a random, questionable seller in China on eBay 

[countessalmirena]

Yes, that’s the long-term problem (well, one of them) with buying this sort of item from a Chinese eBay seller or any seller who is not an Australian registered business authorised to sell that item by the manufacturer/local distributor. No warranty, hundreds of dollars down the drain… If something goes wrong AFTER it’s arrived and you have stated it was fine on arrival, there’s no remedy.

I’m sorry; especially in these times when cost of living is biting hard, this isn’t the result you wanted. Neither eBay nor PayPal provide a product warranty; Money Back Guarantee covers “damaged on arrival”, faulty on arrival, fake, not as specified… on arrival. (PayPal Buyer Protection has the same function.)

The only consolation is that it could have been much MUCH worse. Power Pak exploding or bursting into flames, damaged house (or completely destroyed), injury to you or your loved ones, death … no insurance will cover such damage, either, if the product causing it was not made to Australian electrical standards. You as the buyer are effectively the importer of your product and it’s up to the buyer in that case to be assured of the product’s compliance to the legally required standard.

It is not worth it… To save a few dollars and risk everything…? That a why I am constantly urging people to make sure electrical or electronic items are bought from a reputable approved brand that’s gone through the process of meeting product specifications and been given the tick of approval to Australian standards – i.e., not ordered from random Chinese eBay seller - or any random seller overseas, through any platform.

[jlseamo]

Hi Thanks,

Vtoman is a USA company, but as everything now days is make in China.

Its interesting how if you look at payments on paypal its to Ebay Commerce Australia Pty Ltd is listed not to the actual lister on ebay.   This is the way around having to get an ABN.   Because quote " In Australia you need an ABN to sell on ebay, if your online selling is a business and your annual turnover is more then $75,000.  These are some states from their shop site "-   

99.1% positive Feedback
5.0K items sold
423 followers

So in theory Ebay Commence Australia Pty Ltd is actual the sales business.

This is why in my opinion Ebay does not want to do anything about this.

[countessalmirena]

Are you sure that the seller is a US company? See item number 314665412853 (enter it in search bar), for example. The seller is registered in China.

Secondly, an item manufactured in China to Australian standards is different to an item manufactured in China to no standards. The first is an item subject to Australian approvals; these approvals are quite a process and the company having the items manufactured pay for this, and are responsible for quality control.  The second is churned out in a Chinese factory of the cheapest possible components with the cheapest raw materials, responsible to nobody for the standard and quality, and without having complied with Australian regulatory standards.

Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM)

Prescribed electrical products must have an RCM on the appliance or an Australian approval number to show that the product has been certified.
This mark is currently recognised by all States and Territories of Australia.”

See https://community.ebay.com.au/t5/Buying-on-eBay/Sorry-the-seller-isn-t-accepting-bids-or-offers-from...

I won’t address the other issue you’ve raised right now.

[sandypebbles]

Spot on, Countess

And even *if* it is the genuine brand

The seller is in China, unlikely to be an authorised seller for the brand

And there are a number of safety recalls on the brand on Google from several countries

And no, OP it is not interesting at all

Of course it is Ebay Commerce Australia Pty Ltd

Since Managed Payments came in over 4 years ago, the buyer 'pays' Ebay Commerce Australia Pty Ltd

And they pay the seller

Ebay do not sell a thing

Nothing to do with having an ABN

The seller is the person in China you bought from (obviously a person in China cannot have an ABN)

You are welcome to your opinion, but it is just that, your personal opinion

It is not a fact

AND the time limit for the MBG , as always is 30 days, and it was as described when you got it 

You do not have a leg to stand on with eBay and you are grasping at straws that are not there

[davewil1964]

eBay Commerce is the payment collecting entity, similar to Paypal which preceded Managed Payments.

Did you ever consider Paypal to be a seller?

As has been explained, you are out of time. eBay don't, and never have, provide a warranty service. The MBG is for the condition of the item on receipt.

Anything under 99.5 for high volume sellers is considered low feedback by most experienced board members.

If you bought from Vtoman, then you could possibly have recourse through them. If you bought something CLAIMING to be Vtoman, you are out of luck.

[springyzone]

Last night correspondence received. Because its been 90 days they want me to pay not only $67 for return, but another $150 because it has been 90 days.

I messaged them saying I was willing to pay the $67 but not the $150 as the 90 days is not yet passed.

I would not do it, I would not pay even the $67 for return. I think it could be throwing good money after bad.

Even if you paid the whole amount with the extra $150, there is no guarantee the seller would even post a replacement. They may, but it would probably be of the same quality as the original one, which is to say, not good and possibly even dangerous.

I think you have lost your money but there is a solution for the future. Never buy anything on ebay that costs a lot and where you'd like a warranty. Steer clear of this sort of electrical product, especially steer clear of mobile phones and that sort of thing, steer clear of anything electrical coming from a seller registered in China. Just go to a real shop.

You can sometimes get electrical products from the authorised sellers of that product on ebay but the price usually won't be that much different to what you'll get in store anyway.