EBay sent a buyer who lodged a return request a return sticker without giving me a chance to respond

[dtrezi]

I have been a 100% EBay seller for many years. I sold a camera and lens  to a buyer on a No Return Auction.It was photographed and listed completly and honestly.

However did not mention that the lens was missing a lens cap in the listing, as I thought it was on the lens all along as it had been left in the box for awhile. Once I kenw of the missing lens cap, I offered to replace it.

The seller complained and lodged a return request.

EBay sent the seller a return sticker and the buyer sent the camera back before I could offer a partial refund.

Despite my protests to EBay, they say that the missing lens cap is grounds for the buyer to return the goods.

All EBay will say is that once the camera and lens is returned (after the buyer has had it for close to a fortnight) , I can lodge an appeal.

That is next to useless as if the Buyer will take it back and I will be paid out.

EBay have acted in a manner biased towards the buyer without any opportunity for me as a seller to resolve the dispute.

Are there any Consumer Bodies such as ACCC that I can lodge a complaint about EBay's manner of handling my case ?

[negron18]

someone just saved a lot of money instead of hiring a camera for their amateur wedding photos! Wouldn't surprise the amount of buyers these days who buy on ebay clothing,technology and large equipment who suddenly want a refund after 7 days no questions asked is on the rise.

[i-once-was-bump]

If a seller offered me a partial refund of $100 for a missing $10 lens cap I would be wondering why such a huge amount.

I would immediately be suspicious fo the item I had just bought.

If offered $20 partial refund I would be more inclined to accept because even thought it is twice the cost of the lens cap it is a more reasonable amount. for fixing the problem.

[brerrabbit585]

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@i-once-was-bump wrote:

If a seller offered me a partial refund of $100 for a missing $10 lens cap I would be wondering why such a huge amount.

I would immediately be suspicious fo the item I had just bought.

If offered $20 partial refund I would be more inclined to accept because even thought it is twice the cost of the lens cap it is a more reasonable amount. for fixing the problem.

---

Yes, $100 smacks of a bribe, which always makes me suspicious, and if I received a camera with a missing lens cover I'd also be suspicious of how well everything else had been looked after and whether the description was accurate, which is partly what I was trying to say in my previous post.

[dtrezi]

That was my thoughts exactly - it arrived in time for their New Years Eve party and and I am awaiting its return to check out the shutter count and condition etc. But will Ebay act if I have a complaint now ? I doubt it. 

[dtrezi]

Actually, to set the record straight.

The lens cap, I thought was in the lens box when I listed it.

But when I was packing up everything after the sale, I could not find it.

It was Christmas Day, and I thought that a filter would be okay.( it cost a lot more)

I wrote a note, to the effect of this and offered of my apology, at what I had done, with the offer of sending on a lens cap if they would like me to after the holidays.

This was pretty fair I thought.

But the buyer went all apesh#t over this and carried on every day in messages with threats and accusations.

I was getting stressed out, I am 70 years old and suffer several medical problems. I chatted with EBay and the advise was to offer a decent refund to settle the matter.I wanted it over and $100 seemed generous anyway.

The advice was to wait until the last day to close the case. So after following the advice of EBay, they wnet and closed the case a day early with the Buyer not being made of my offer until too late.

I thank those members who have understood the situation, but those who are "suspicious" or skeptical, I hope that you do not suffer what i have been through.

By the way, I was selling my camera and lenses hoping to raise $$$ for an operation, other wise I would not have sold my camera and lenses at this time.

Good for you if you do not have to be in this position yourselves.

[chameleon54 · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately cameras, phones and other expensive electronic equipment is a well known, high risk item to sell on ebay. There are too many dishonest buyers who prey on inexperienced sellers, trying to scam the items for free or with heavy discount.

Ebay buyer protection policies allow this to occur with little recourse for the seller when things go wrong. Personally I dont sell those types of things on ebay as I cant afford the risk of losing them..