Does Ebay still mostly side with buyers in disputes?

[nirv_australia]

I've just had a buyer lodge a dispute.

Just before xmas he purchased a motherboard, CPU & Memory combo. Upon returning from xmas break on Jan 5 I could see that there was a dispute open and also a message from the guy saying that his PC wasn't booting with the new parts in. After a few back and forth emails I asked him to send me the motherboard to inspect. Before even opening the package I knew what the problem was going to be - bent pins in the CPU socket. These days the percentage of new motherboards being faulty is almost zero. He has bent the CPU pins in the process of trying to install the CPU into the motherboard.

I emailed him saying what the problem was and that the manufacturer will repair the motherboard for $55. He has replied saying that he did not cause the problem and that if we don't send out a new motherboard he will get Ebay to step in.

Now, do Ebay still mostly side with buyers in these cases. I have taken photo's of the bent pins although this doesn't actually prove that he caused the problem. I don't want to end up with Ebay refunding his money, me being our of pocket $100 for the motherboard and the probability of negative feedback.

What to do?

[spicy-pickles]

Refund them and move on.

It's not worth the stress and eBay will most likely find in their favour after dragging it out for ages.

[cq_tech]

You're going to have a bit of a fight on your hands unless you have photographs of the CPU prior to it having had its pins bent. So many buyers these days are nothing more than lying ba$tards and unfortunately eBay does tend to side with them unless you can provide definitive proof that the buyer is in the wrong.

Nevertheless, I wouldn't be lying down and taking it. I'd be fighting it all the way. A good place to start might be the buyer's feedback in case he's possibly done this sort of thing before. A stat dec might also assist your case if it comes to that. I'm sorry you came across one of eBay's current crop of mongrel buyers and wish you the best of luck in your fight.

Also, add him to your BBL immediately.

[clarry100]

Unfortunately it seems from what I see on these boards these kind of cases are very hard to win as ebay side heavily with buyers these days. And their system actively promotes this kind of buyer activity. I can't see you have much choice but to refund.

I would think that you (as the competent technician) should actually be fitting the CPU device onto the motherboard before you send it out hence taking away that common failing of buyers. That is assuming (as in this case) that they buy both from you.

Is there some reason you would be unable to do this?

[saarzi]

No chance. Refund him and move on (and block him from buying anything else).

Even if you did have "before" photos of the pins, Ebay doesnt know they are of the same board. Its your word against his and Ebays policy (they have stated this) is to side with buyers. Buyers, not sellers, are what makes Ebay money.

The only way you might get around it is if you can get to admit he bent the pins in an email some way.

[nirv_australia]

Thaks for the replies. I've been selling on ebay for approaching 8 years now. Things have continually gotten worse for sellers in that time. Buyers know that they can do almost anything they want and Ebay will side with them. I am hoping to get away from selling on Ebay in the not too distant future. It's just too stressful.

[yeoldecoinco]

As the other say, refund and move on.

eBay gives sellers the shaft big time these days, you have little hope of winning, just a waste of time and more stress.

Buyers can do pretty much anything they like, just don't tell anyone because it will get worse.

Here are a few from the idiot file.

4 non payers I have just open cases against, certainly been an increase in these over the past six months.

Delivered $200 of coins to correct address.

Flatmate refused to accept package, now lost in the system for 3 weeks with buyer wanting their $200 back.

Buyer says items received wet, refuses to deal with Australia Post in any way, wants refund.

Buyer says parcel received cut, one item missing, onus on me to refund.

Even although I always upload tracking info, buyer too lazy or stupid to notice, opens INR case causing defect, when item is waiting at the PO, as a glance at tracking info on Aust Post website would soon confirm.

Definite increase in pond life on this site, a pity, because it used to be great before Donahue & Co came along.

[crazyplacecostumes]

Even although I always upload tracking info, buyer too lazy or stupid to notice, opens INR case causing defect, when item is waiting at the PO, as a glance at tracking info on Aust Post website would soon confirm.

This. Ditto. x 2

[robinsonmarineparts]

You won't win.

I'm going not quite full hog tomorrow at Ebay about this same rubbish, and if they don't listen to me i'll go the full hog, i'm sick to death over buyer stupidy and us sellers having to cop the rubbish that goes along with it.