sc53
11-17-2008, 12:56 PM
I have been a buyer and seller on eBay since 1999. I did not have any problems in either mode until last year when a couple of international buyers simply did not pay or communicate after winning my auctions. BTW I periodically sell off electronic gadgets, bike stuff, and the like on eBay, nothing really high dollar or high volume. I pretty much stopped accepting international bids after these occurrences because it was too much of a hassle relisting the auction, pix, etc for the nonpaying deadbeats.
Now this year for the THIRD time in as many months I have people whining about the item they purchased because it's not exactly what they wanted after all. There was nothing defective or deceptive about my items--the buyer just changed his mind once I packed, shipped, etc, and decided a longer steerer or more rake would actually suit him better. This happened with both buyers of MTB forks I was selling despite my link to the mfr's website for specs on the forks and my own lay measurements using a tape measure of the exposed steerer. Then a woman who bought a $400 printer from me for $38 decided the "print quality" was not what she wanted and demanded a refund. Again, nothing defective with the printer, she just decided she wanted better quality!
Am I crazy to think these buyers are crazy? If I buy something, used, sight unseen, on the internet, with NO refund or return policy whatsoever, and it turns out I'd rather have something else, I do not expect the seller to refund my money and take the item back! I AM NOT A STORE and that's why the buyer got the item for 10% of its retail value! When that has happened to me, ie, I've been disappointed in the product after all but not because it wasn't accurately described or it was broken or something, I just resell it myself on eBay or yard sale or whatever. Unless there's been fraud or deceit in the description or pictures, I realize and understand that I may not be thrilled with the product once I actually have it in my hands after all, and I might just have to resell or regift it or somehow move on. So what is with these buyers lately? Has eBay somehow transformed into a store and those selling on the site expected to behave like bricks and mortar merchants with money back guarantees? I am truly puzzled as this has only happened in the last couple of months after years of what I considered reasonable expectations--that sellers not post misleading or inaccurate descriptions or pictures or represent stuff as new when it's not etc., and buyers understand that THERE IS A RISK in buying stuff sight unseen if it's not exactly perfect for your intended application but nevertheless is not defective or broken! I may have cleaned out my bike and electronics "closets" for the last time, I'm so dismayed at these new and what I consider grossly inflated expectations for used goods sold by private individuals who have no return or refund policy.
Now this year for the THIRD time in as many months I have people whining about the item they purchased because it's not exactly what they wanted after all. There was nothing defective or deceptive about my items--the buyer just changed his mind once I packed, shipped, etc, and decided a longer steerer or more rake would actually suit him better. This happened with both buyers of MTB forks I was selling despite my link to the mfr's website for specs on the forks and my own lay measurements using a tape measure of the exposed steerer. Then a woman who bought a $400 printer from me for $38 decided the "print quality" was not what she wanted and demanded a refund. Again, nothing defective with the printer, she just decided she wanted better quality!
Am I crazy to think these buyers are crazy? If I buy something, used, sight unseen, on the internet, with NO refund or return policy whatsoever, and it turns out I'd rather have something else, I do not expect the seller to refund my money and take the item back! I AM NOT A STORE and that's why the buyer got the item for 10% of its retail value! When that has happened to me, ie, I've been disappointed in the product after all but not because it wasn't accurately described or it was broken or something, I just resell it myself on eBay or yard sale or whatever. Unless there's been fraud or deceit in the description or pictures, I realize and understand that I may not be thrilled with the product once I actually have it in my hands after all, and I might just have to resell or regift it or somehow move on. So what is with these buyers lately? Has eBay somehow transformed into a store and those selling on the site expected to behave like bricks and mortar merchants with money back guarantees? I am truly puzzled as this has only happened in the last couple of months after years of what I considered reasonable expectations--that sellers not post misleading or inaccurate descriptions or pictures or represent stuff as new when it's not etc., and buyers understand that THERE IS A RISK in buying stuff sight unseen if it's not exactly perfect for your intended application but nevertheless is not defective or broken! I may have cleaned out my bike and electronics "closets" for the last time, I'm so dismayed at these new and what I consider grossly inflated expectations for used goods sold by private individuals who have no return or refund policy.