Selling, the laws, liability and responsibility

[joshawe_7]

Hi everyone

I recently (we’ll still am) having an issue with a buyer who I believe is abusing the “money back guarantee” that eBay offer. In an effort to clarify where I stand legally I’ve been looking through the eBay user terms and conditions and the Australian legislation. This has given me a couple of questions that I would appreciate others input on, as I may have missed something or miss understood something.   Below are the relevant points of info related to my question. (Some I’ve paraphrased” 

1) In section 7 of the eBay user agreement, trading on eBay and limitation of liability.  It is made very clear that any contract of sale is between the seller and the buyer and that eBay take no responsibility legally or otherwise. 

2) In the same section it is make expressly clear that as a user it is your responsibility no eBay’s to ensure that you are adhering to any relevant laws and as a user it is your responsibility not eBay’s to enforce your legal rights and obligations under those laws. 

3) In section 10 of the eBay user agreement, returns and eBay money back guarantee. It states that a seller can accept or decline a return unless the return meets the requirements of the eBay money back guarantee. 

4) I am not trading as a business on eBay so any sale I make is considered a private sale under Australian law. 

5) Under Australian law consumer guarantees do not apply to private sales. (Other than clear title etc) 

6) When considering what rules or laws apply to any given situation the laws as stated in the relevant governing legislation take president and trump any rules, such as those in a user agreement that contradict these laws. 

So this is my question.

Given that in Australia a private sale between two individuals does not come with any legal guarantee and that according to eBay’s user agreement any contract of sale is  legally binding contract between the seller and the buyer alone. How exactly is the eBay money back guarantee fit into this legally? For a user to agree to offer  a guaranteed return on a private sale contradicts what applies to a private sale in accordance to the Competitions and Consumer Act 2010. I would also like to understand how a user is expected to enforce their legally protected rights as a consumer when it would seem that the eBay user agreement is in place to diminish and seemingly waiver some of those rights. 

I have stated that I do not accept returns. The item in question was delivered to the buyer on the 18/7. On the 25/7 the buyer wants to return the item claiming the return under the eBay money back guarantee. Which offers me no option to decline. Two days after the auction ended the buyer disclosed that they currently did not have the funds available to pay for the item and expected me to wait until he had the funds available. I was not willing to do so and reminded him he is required to make the payment within four days of the completion of the auction. If payment was not make I would be cancelling the sale in accordance the relevant eBay rules. The buyer informed me he had borrowed the money and had paid for the items, which was the case and the item was sent.

The item In question is a very rare hand plane only manufactured between 1909 and 1943 so it’s somewhere between 113 to 79 years old. It is well documented that these particular planes have a weakness in how the frog is attached to the body and it is estimated that approximately 30% of all these planes have been damaged due to this inherent weakness.  The plane I sold had been repaired as it had suffered damage to to the same weakness. The repair did not effect the planes usability. There was also a crack in the lever cap of the plane. The crack in the lever cap is clearly visible in the listing photos, the repair is not due to its position. My description of the plane was simply “in great condition with original japanning” as even considering the repair it was perfectly usable and due to its rarity “great condition” i do not believe to be inaccurate.  It is also completely subjective as to what one would consider “great condition”  prior to the sale of my plane the last plane of this type sold on eBay for around $1700 AUD there is currently one for sale with a starting price of around $2000 AUD. Mine sold for $1250 and whilst iI was happy with this amount I believe that all things considered the price paid is under market value for the item. 

The buyer is claiming, after a week or receiving the item that it does not match my description of being in “great condition” and has requested I refund $500 or give a full refund on the return of the item. I am of the firm belief that the buyer has simply decided they cannot afford the item as this was apparent from the start. I have said to the buyer I am more than happy to replace the lever cap but I will not be accepting a return. Although it appears that is exactly what eBay are trying to force me into doing. 

I would argue that as the user agreement contradicts Australian consumer laws by forcing a seller to guarantee the buyers money back, where no such legal guarantee exists. The eBay money back guarantee is in breach of Australian consumer law, and as eBay state as a user it is my responsibility to enforce my legal rights any agreement to section 10 of the eBay user guide cannot and should not be allowed to be enforceable. 

I welcome any input, thoughts and constructive criticism on this matter. 

[padi*0409]

If the buyer opens a dispute through the MBG you would almost certainly lose the case.

"Great condition" that does not mention the repairs to the plane is simply not good enough.

[sandypebbles]

Sellers do not get to 'not accept returns' unless for change of mind

You did not mention the repair so most certainly not described accurately (you would have also read the part that says 'seller assumes all responsibility for this listing' 

The 'Australian consumer law' chestnut is thrown around so many times by people who think rules and policies should'nt apply to them it's not even funny 

Argue all you wish

This is zero doubt eBay will instantly side with the buyer if they open a dispute

There is no point members here telling you 'what you want to hear' when it simply is not true and won't happen

[domino-710]

For $1250 - very poorly described - in fact not described at all.

Details should be mentioned - every detail.

[repentatleisure1952]

Here's my input.

Learn to describe your items.

Forget the mumbo jumbo & accept the return.

Or stand on your high horse, ignore the return & allow eBay to refund the buyer & allow the buyer to keep the item.

You can then join a list of sellers who have threatened fruitless legal action.

[sugar249]

Really who cares how the law stacks up for you,  you falsely advertised the item,  great condition,  but no mention of a repair.

If you spent as much time writing up your ad, as you did researching the law, and writing your psot above, you wouldn't be in this pickle,   or was it intentional not to mention the repair?

Hopefully Ebay back the buyer and you leave Ebay,  will make Ebay a better world.

[*sons_n_daughters*]

You have not accurately described the item. You say it's in great condition, and here you are mentioning all these repairs it's had. Why didn't you mention them in the listing? If I was the buyer, I'd be really unhappy too. If I went by your ad, I'd be expecting an item with no repairs.

You have a choice. Accept the return and refund the buyer, then relist describing accurately everything that has been done to it, or let ebay decide, whereby they will fully refund the buyer without returning the item. If you let ebay decide, you'll be without the item AND the money. I know what I'd be doing, and it wouldn't be spouting a stack of laws.

[gutterpunkz05]

Item  Not As Described, Plane and Simple (Pun Intended), so ebays MBG will apply, and if you wish to dispute the claim you will lose.

Yes you can attempt to take direct legal action against the buyer, but guess what, you will also lose that and just add to your costs.

Edit.

Just to add your first mistake was forcing the buyer to complete the purchase.

[joshawe_7]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I totally agree that my description could have contained a lot more detail. A better description would certainly not have led to this. Whilst I do not believe the buyers motivations for wanting to return item. I am more than happy to heed the advice I have been given and accept the return. I am certainly not happy about it and I may still ride around on my high horse a little but at least it is better than loosing both the item and the money. 

[joshawe_7]

I asked for input not ignorance. I am entitled to my opinion and I am man enough to acknowledge my mistakes. My poor description being one of them.  I asked for input because I genuinely wanted to hear what other users thought and I have listed to their advice.