Dishonest buyer

[aristides52]

I recently sold a bluetooth speaker, which was used but in perfect working condition. I had provided accurate info and images on the listing. I had thoroughly tested it and fully charged it before sending it out. A few days after receiving the item, the buyer opened a dispute stating the item was "dead-on-arrival" and that he tried charging the speaker for days, but it wouldn't power on. I provided as much support and guidance to the buyer to get the speaker to work, but he was adamant that it was dead and eventually got ebay to initiate a return. The buyer simply put up one shady image and that was obviously without pressing the power button. I got the item and I tested it and it was in perfect working condition. I immediately shared images of the working item with ebay, including screenshots from my phone to prove that the speaker also connected with the phone. But ebay just didn't listen to my claim and simply went ahead and refunded the buyer. To make things worse, the buyer left negative feedback and now it's also a defect against my seller performance. Plus ebay has also refused to credit the selling fees for this transaction. I've argued so many times with ebay, but they repeatedly keep stating that they are unable to validate my claim and that the buyer had every right to return the item if it didn't work. And it wasn't rocket science to get a bluetooth speaker to work. I've sold several items in the past and there was not a single instance where I had sold a faulty item. Besides, I offered free postage and spent $10.50 out of my pocket and yet ebay won't listen to me at all.

Can someone please advise of possible options? 

ebay is just over-protecting buyers who simply exploit the money-back guarantee. And the seller protection is purely on paper and good for nothing.

[imastawka]

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@aristides52 wrote:

Well, that's the ridiculous bit. There's very limited options once a dispute has been opened by a buyer - either refund the full amount, or partial amount or accept the return with postage cost. I anyways offered free postage on the item and spent $10.50 on shipping, so didn't want to spend any further. You have no option but to ask ebay to step in and expect them to provide a fair resolution, which unfortunately goes against the seller.

But that's not the point, when ebay is unable to decide or validate either the buyer's claim or seller's claim, then the decision should be neutral. No defects for the seller (if the seller has provided sufficient evidence) and refund of selling fees. The buyer anyways is eligible to claim the return shipping cost either from ebay or PayPal.

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Yes there are limited options. 

But the item had been returned to you - in full working order, you say.

You should have immediately refunded the buyer, in full,  and been done with it.

There would have been no defect had you done so.

Why would you expect ebay to side with you, when you have the item back,

as well as the buyer's money?

You can't have both

Just ignore the buyer's messages.  Don't even read them.

[quartzangel]

Every now and again I get a dishonest buyer who just totally scams. I just had one who totally lied but I refunded them - this is the best bit not only did they lie, but after i refunded them via paypal they are trying to tell me they do not  have paypal and want a bank deposit refund. Buyer gets to keep perfectly good item gets a refund now wants more. I don't bother asking for item return because in all cases so far the buyer has returned a different item to me. I recall some small new boxed toy cars send back to me a few years ago , a buyer simply put in his old cars into the new boxes - he replaced  his car collection with my new ones and sent me all his old ones. Nothing I could do I showed Ebay photos of the ones which were returned. It's not often but very upsetting. 

What about the women who wrote to me told me she was solictor and wanted to charge me $800.00 return post because she claimed she had to take the day off work to return the item? 

I replied to her after getting legal advise telling her at no point did I ask her act as a solicitor for me to return an item. Totally rude wrong.

I don't lie to my buyers I want to keep my seller performance and feedback. Scammers know it. No point in even writing this posting this saying anything it is what it is. IT IS WHAT IT IS BUYERS WILL SCAM US! But I only get a few every now and again so maybe I am lucky. I wear it!