eBay Advice Please...

[squirrel_hunter]

Bought a petrol tank off eBay. Described as used, needs a polish but good. I emailed the seller to check that there was no dents or scratches, he confirmed there were none. I asked if he had a BIN price, he was a bit vague so I left it as that. I won the auction.

The tank arrived and I inspected it. There is a small pin dent on the top, a small pressure dent on the side and the rear mounting tab is bent. The dents are only noticeable in the correct light. Not obvious like the one it is intended to replace.

I have a feeling that the damage was caused in transit as the tank was wrapped in a bin liner inside of a box. No other padding and Royal Mail delivery.

The trouble is this is the best tank I've found for it in a couple of months of looking. It is usable and is better than the one it is intended to replace. I would like to keep it. But it is not worth what I paid.

Your suggestions please...

[Jayneflakes]

You could make a formal complaint and go through the channels of E-Bay.

However, probably more satisfying would be to post them back a lunch box filled with turds!

Alternatively, find a nice pile of dog mess and collect the flies that land upon said dropping to feed. Put them in a lunch box and post that back to them!

Aunty Jayne is in a particularly evil mood today!

[TamSV]

I'd contact the seller first and tell him it's not as described but you'll accept it for £x. If he doesn't go for it you then need to decide if you want to keep it or complain through ebay.

I've done that before with some bike parts that weren't as good as described but still useable - the seller was sound about it.

I also sell a fair bit and you prize your positive feedback - it's worth money. I accidentally misdescribed something (I could see from my own photos the damage the buyer was talking about). I refunded him in full and let him keep the item which is more than he would have got from a formal complaint to ebay.

[DarrenSV650S]

Depends what price you got it for I guess. If it was a bit of a bargain you could just stick it on :)

I got a damaged item once and the seller insisted it was pristine when they sent it. But it was very well wrapped so there was no way it could have been damaged in the post. They didn't want it returned so I opened a dispute with ebay and they refunded me in full. (it was only about £30)
I'm not actually sure if that money came from the seller or ebay/paypal

[yorkie_chris]

It comes from the seller, they take it out of your paypal account. If there's nothing in there then it goes negative and you can't use the account again until you settle it.