I've been on there for a few years now, done a reasonable amount of buying and selling. Usually it works great. But I just sold my strat neck to this guy who now wants to return it "because the finish doesn't feel smooth enough to play licks up and down the neck" and "it doesn't feel smooth like a professional finish" - it's a deft nitro finish, satin, that has gradually polished up to a reasonable gloss because of my playing lots of licks "up and down the neck." What's a reasonable response - I mean, it is EXACTLY as advertised, he just doesn't know what he's talking about. Grrrrrrr.
Ebay question
- Thread starter tfarny
- Start date
Cagey
Mythical Status
- Messages
- 24,425
Trevor's right. He's not happy, and no amount of argument or explanation is going to change that. Take the thing back, or risk him posting the worst kind of feedback, which may seriously limit your ability to sell anything in the future.
This is why I try to sell things on Craig's List first. Whoever wants the thing has to come see it, and if they take it at that point then everything is done and I don't have shipping and several fees to worry about. If it doesn't move there, then I'll do the eBay thing. Market's much larger, so the chances of success are higher, but so are the risks and costs.
This is why I try to sell things on Craig's List first. Whoever wants the thing has to come see it, and if they take it at that point then everything is done and I don't have shipping and several fees to worry about. If it doesn't move there, then I'll do the eBay thing. Market's much larger, so the chances of success are higher, but so are the risks and costs.
Sounds like a lame excuse for buyer's remorse ....
I've sold a few things on eBay, and always put the disclaimer "please ask questions before bidding, item being sold as-is" or words to that effect. Unless you have grossly misrepresented the item (which it sounds like you haven't) I would say you are in the right here.
I've sold a few things on eBay, and always put the disclaimer "please ask questions before bidding, item being sold as-is" or words to that effect. Unless you have grossly misrepresented the item (which it sounds like you haven't) I would say you are in the right here.
Cagey
Mythical Status
- Messages
- 24,425
It almost doesn't matter if he's in the right. In order for a trade to work, it has to be mutually beneficial. It's not an adversarial relationship. Both parties have to end up happy. If that can't happen, then it's not a good trade and somebody, often both parties, suffers in some way. That's NFG.
Torment Leaves Scars
Hero Member
- Messages
- 1,343
tfarny said:
I guess I'd accept the neck back as stated for reasons below, but damned if I'd reimburse him for shipping costs. Just to mention the obvious, before sending out his refund, be sure to receive the neck and make sure it's in the same condition as when you shipped it. If not, ship it back to him and tell him, "Enjoy your neck."
I've sold a lot of stuff on ebay. I actually financed my Taylor and my new bass by selling old junk I had around the house and selling stuff for my family for a small fee. I have 100% positive feedback, and the main reason for that is I communicate well with my buyers, and my motto is "the customer is king". It sounds like you are completely right about the customer being an idiot, but the last thing you want is bad feedback if you plan on selling things in the future. You can sometimes dispute bad feedback and get it removed from your record, but never bet on that. I have been in similar situations in the past, and I always accept returns unless I have stated from the beginning that the sale will be final. Customer always pays return shipping though, that's the general rule for ebay.
Cagey said:
Well, it's not a trade, it's a sale between private parties. If I represent my item in good faith and the buyer agrees to buy it as listed, for how long does the buyer have the right to renege on the deal? Do I have the right to buy a tux, wear it to the wedding, then go demand a refund? Certainly, buyers don't have to "end up happy" with their purchase - they just have to agree to it at the time.
I offered a refund minus shipping, but I suggested he get a second opinion on it from a guitar shop in his area first.
Cagey
Mythical Status
- Messages
- 24,425
tfarny said:
It most certainly is a trade. You're trading goods for money, which is the least common denominator and so is acceptable in most trades. Farmers don't trade corn or soybeans for tractors, because the people who make tractors aren't interested in corn or soy beans. But, they are interested in money because they can trade that for steel, power and machinery to people who aren't interested in tractors. Those people trade the money for other things, and so it goes. In many cases, people simply trade talent and time for money. They're called "employees". Trade is what makes the world go 'round. It's a basic law of economics that many aren't cognizant of.
Your tuxedo example doesn't hold up because the value of the goods changes. A used tux isn't worth as much as a fresh/new one, so you can't back out of that deal. You're not trading in kind. You've somewhat consumed the tux, so it's not an even trade any more.
And all parties do have to end up happy with their trade, or it's not a good trade. Of course, that often boils down to a moral issue - once the trade has taken place, you can always tell the opposite party to go scratch if they're unhappy. But, as has been pointed out, that's poor practice and you're liable to develop a reputation as a bad trader. That'll make it difficult to trade in the future, for obvious reasons.
A refund less shipping is a fair correction, so he should be happy with that. Second opinions are probably worthless, though. He's not happy, and that's all that matters. It's a risk you take when dealing with unseen or untried goods.
Steve_Karl
Hero Member
- Messages
- 1,702
My default selling template ALWAYS says:
"Please inspect the photos well before bidding and read all of the details of the description.
I've been as accurate as possible with the photos and description so if you win, sale is final."
"Please inspect the photos well before bidding and read all of the details of the description.
I've been as accurate as possible with the photos and description so if you win, sale is final."
Torment Leaves Scars
Hero Member
- Messages
- 1,343
tfarny said:
I still wouldn't pay him shipping. He knew what he was purchasing, and when he got it, he didn't like it. Tough shit, "that's the way the nookie gumbles," as my drivers' ed teacher used to say.
There is no reason why you should reimburse him for his screw-up, "dispute," or otherwise.
Similar threads
