Significant damage to item

[khani808]

Hi guys,

I recently bought a cabinet and bookshelf from the same seller. My partner picked up the items, and asked me if there was meant to be damage (once he got home). When I saw them the next day, I was shocked. The cabinet had a large crack on the top of it, and the doors had been removed; one door was warped and discoloured (to the extent that it didn't even fit the cabinet properly, and was a much lighter brown).The bookshelf also had a large crack running across it, but this was less of a big deal, as you won't be able to see the damage once there are books on there.

I contacted the seller asking about the damage, as there was no mention of it in the description or picture. He said that I should have said something on pickup. I explained that I didn't pick it up, so I didn't see the damage. I also requested a partial refund for the cabinet (only requested $15, as I paid $27 for it), given the amount of damage. He said he would rather that I returned the cabinet.

However, I had to hire a ute to pick up the items, which cost me $30, and I don't think it is worth doing so again to return the cabinet, as it would leave me out of pocket. I told him this, and said that I feel he should give me a partial refund as the item was not as described and will take a lot of work to fix up.

Do I have any other options? I paid in cash.

[*crikey*mate*]

The buyer is not without fault here.

The seller (who appears to be newish) does have a lousy listing. I acknowledge that.

But we all start somewhere and learn and grow and get better.

The seller didn't lie.

He made the goods available for inspection.

The buyer could have asked for more photos or details seeing how inadequate the listing was.

The buyer had no obligation to even take posession of the item. Or pay for it upon inspection.

The seller offered a complete refund.

The buyer seems happy enoough to have the item if they get a partial refund which the seller is not obligated to offer.

The buyer seems umwilling to take responsibility for their own part in all this.

If the buyer is prepared to leave a neg in a situation such as this, what's left for the really bad sellers? You know the absolute scam artists?

[chezzy]

So we continue to let sellers get away with their lousy/careless listings because they are 'new' or perhaps

they used a mobile phone to make the listing? Or perhaps an app glitch or whatever else we can pull out

of a hat. Where is the yardstick for sellers?  The feedback might seem harsh to some but to me it appears

to be factual and I always thought that is what ebay encouraged?

Oh and why would the buyer even 'think' to contact the seller for more photos? They probably saw the one

photo (in which I personally can't see any major damage, only minor scuffs), thought everything looked

ok and based their bid on that. Shame they then had to waste their money on hiring a ute for pick up....

Just not sure why the buyer is painted to be a 'bad guy' here......I see a lack of info in listing which to me

makes for misleading info (and wasting time)....

[*crikey*mate*]

I know what you are saying, but I feel a negative was too harsh considering the seller did offer full refund, without coersion, and the fact that this was a pick up item that the buyer could have inspected and refused.

It's not like the seller didn't make the item available for inspection.

It's not like the seller sent the buyer the item

The buyer was under no obligation to take this item away

That's when this transaction should have ended - the seciond the buyers agent went "yep - all good, here's your money"

Yes, sellers need to take responsibility, and this one did.

But so do buyers.

There is a thing such as responible buying.

By the looks the seller had already had one neg - for the bookcase - they said it was dirty.

Obviously they learned from that and cleaned it up this time cos the buyer didn't say anything

But a responsible buyer should have seen that neg and gone hmmmmm - the listing is very sparse.

It doesn't actually mention any details other than used.

The pics don't show enough detail - before I spend money and time, maybe I should ask a few questions.

know what I mean?

....................

Sometimes people take atrocious photos, so you question

example - i buy watches. If the seller doesn't specify the condition of the glass - you ask - are there any chips, scratches etc

The coloured bezel - sometimes light reflection on the pics doesn't make it clear iof some of the colour has rubbed off - so you ask for clarification

or a listing might not actually say the watch works. So you ask. You don't take it for granted or assume anything, not on a second hand item and not when you see how little detail is provided.

It's called responsible buying.

There comes a time where you have to take a bit of responsibility for yourself too.

You say he is a bad seller - maybe he is.

but i am glad this buyer will never be a customer of mine

because IMO, their own trading practises leave a lot to be desired as well.

[chezzy]

I didn't say he is a bad seller but I feel I have shown how the seller is a big part of the problem here.

Now if someone (it won't be me) will scamper off and tell the seller they are being talked about

perhaps they can come read the topic and learn some simple and effective ways to improve their

listings and selling experiences (eg use of more and current photos, more information on item's

condition etc etc).

ps and I am sure by now the buyer knows in future to ask questions so they don't get burnt again!

[*crikey*mate*]

It's not even that I don't get where the buyer is coming from.

I have had three very similar situations myself, recently

1) a wooden statue. was pick up only. I sent my brother to get it for me. He did, didn't notice a huge crack in it (and remember in this case the buyers agent noticed the damage and still took posession of the item). But he had the opportunity to inspect it. He didn't. He paid and took posession. In my mind - I took that responsibility iykwim.

2) another pick up item, but seller kindly organized and agreed to courier for me. Once again, I waived my right for complaint as I sent an agent to collect for me - I had the opportunity to inspect, but I didn't. (Item was broken)

3) I bought a few things off the one seller - the pics looiked good. When I went to collect, it was evident that they were very good photographers - but I was too embarrassed to say no and walk away. Now I had the right to do so, but I didn't. That's my fault, not the sellers, so how would that then be fair for me to come home and leave them a neg?

[khani808]

I usually do ask questions if the photos are unclear; I was expecting to get a piece with scuffing and scratches (as seen in the photo), not a huge crack along the top and messed up doors that aren't attached to the cabinet. I do acknowledge that I should have shown my partner the listing so he was aware of what he should have been picking up; however, I do also understand why he picked it up, as he restores furniture as a hobby, and believed that I knew the extent of the damage and wanted him to do it up.

I left positive feedback for the shelf, despite the fact that it was cracked and dirty, but the damage to the cabinet was ridiculous. I was considering giving them a neutral, as the seller was communicative, but my partner said to give him a negative, as he had clearly not learned from the other negative feedback (from another buyer) stating the same thing. I have only ever given one other negative feedback ever, where a seller advertised 50 chairs for sale, then said the ending price was per chair, so making out that I hand them out willy-nilly (or that I am not a good ebayer) is a bit harsh.

[*crikey*mate*]

I think I saw that listing for the chairs!