Will e-bay take action over lying seller.

[ekrabappel]

Hi,

I recently purchased a book (Wilton Way of Cake Decorating v002) for $16 and paid immediately. I later received a message from seller stating the book was damaged badly in transit, was returned to them, and the damage was so bad they couldn't send it to me. They said they had no other copies in stock but I could accept a refund or buy something else from their store. There are 3 things that strike me as untrue:

1. I have never heard of the post returning a damaged item to the seller, it always arrives damaged to the reciever.

2. Despite saying they have no copies the original item was relisted (still on e-bay) for $25-26 so $10 more than orginal price.

3. It is a hard cover large volume book so possible but not likely to be damaged in transit (at least not to the extent it is a write-off).

To me it is clear they have no valid reason for not sending out the book and simply want more money for it. They entered a contract but have renegged on it.

Will e-bay act on this or am I better getting a refund and leaving neg feedback (if possible).

Thanks

[ekrabappel]

Have messaged seller a link to the relisted book and requested this 'copy' is sent out in leiu of the 'damaged' copy. Will see what happens.

[*sparklz*]

Ask for a photo and ask if you do not have another then WHY is it relisted?

Neg them get your refund and move on.

Make sure the feedback is factual and can not be removed for a feedback violation of some sort.

You can report them but ebay will not do anything.

Another is ask if it was posted with tracking and you want the tracking details so you can view it on line.

[whiznumber6]

If you're unhappy with them, all you can do is leave negative feedback ("Claimed damaged / out of stock, but relisted item - at higher price", or something similar), and mark them all the way down on the Seller Ratings.

[crazyplacecostumes]

I have never heard of the post returning a damaged item to the seller, it always arrives damaged to the reciever.

We have had this. it's happened. Damage on the Aussie end so it was returned to us before it left. 

[extra-keen]

I have had an item returned before it was delivered damaged. The envelope was so damaged that the address was no longer legible. But the invoice inside was relatively undamaged, so AP returned it to me.

However in this case there would most certainly have been a tracking number. Most sellers upload their tracking numbers to the sale so they are visilble to the buyer. Sounds like the book would have been way to heavy to send as a large letter.

[2106greencat]

reply to ekrabbapple

Or you could accept the seller (perhaps) made an error - Maybe they followed eBays ridiculous (and incorrect) advice to start an auction item at .99c and then found the postage cost prohibitive and could not cover costs for the amount won (paid).

If it is a new seller, IMO - give them a break.........we all had to start somewhere, and unless they can find their way to these boards they are at the mercy of eBay's useless advice...

If it is an experienced seller, then yes, a negative may be deserved. 

[imastawka]

Completed listings show it as BIN $16.52 AU sold 12 Feb

Relisted 26 Feb for $25.98

Sellers fb is  134,638

 # 281611781846

[alexajames001]

Had similar happen to me recently.

Won a dress at auction, paid immediately then received an email from the seller saying they didn't notice damage till packing the item. 

Obviously a lie as a day later the same item was relisted with BIN price $200 dearer than I paid!

All you can do, as others have said is neg them and move on as there really is nothing more that you can do.

Don't lose sleep over it mate.

[davewil1964]

Seller is notorious for this when they realise they've sold for less than the book's value. Their normal listing price for everything is $7 + $6 postage ex-UK, then they look at value post-sale.

Just confrmed e seller, but it wasn't really necessary - this seller has been shonky from day 1, and still not TRS.