EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

I bought my son a IPhone 3GS 32gb. Described as mint it turned up today in time for Xmas.

And it did look perfect till I took it out of the box (which was mint) and found the casing was coming apart and the volume buttons were missing.

I've mailed the seller and said I want my money back and the postage to send it back to them. No reply yet, and I have a horrible feeling this is going to get messy.

I used Paypal so I guess I will get my money back eventually, but anyone got any tips on how to play this?

Suggestions on what to tell my son on Chritsmas morning would also be appreciated.

Thanks

Ah that truly sucks. I've had a similar issue with a fake cricket bat. Took me about 5 weeks of arguing back and forth. Basically, if it doesn't match the item description (mint in this case) then you'll definitely get your money back. It just might take some time.

Re: EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

If you have still got it, are you open to offers on the cricket bat, I can think of a use for it

Re: EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

It has a hole in it? Sounds like mint to me... :p

Re: EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

Just go to Pay Pal's resolution centre and start the ball rolling if you haven't already done so.

When you fill in the text box put as much detail in as possible.

Unfortunately there is no way of getting your money back quickly unless the seller coughs up

Re: EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

Thanks for that. I'm sure it will cheer my tearful son up on Christmas morning.

Have you ever thought of comedy writing as a profession?

Re: EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

If/when you have to post the item back, ensure its minimum special delivery. If he's been untrustworthy in advertising and not answering your email, he can easily turn around and say he hasnt received it back from you, making the situation a bit more awkward! At least with SD its insured form your side and also he will have to sign for it. then try getting him to cough up for return postage too, but highly unlikely.

HTH

Re: EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

Yes +1 on this advice

Re: EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

Cheers both, I will do that.

Just going to do a search on EBay now for Semtex to include with the phone when it goes back.

Re: EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

Got an email from the seller this morning:

Phone was fine when it left me
Send it back for a refund

And then interestingly don't damage a perfectly good phone to get your money back. I will not do a refund on a damaged phone.

Anyone else smell a rat..

Re: EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

Yep, a big rat.

Start the PAYPAL process now, as its MUCH harder for him to stop you getting your money back, the balance is weighted on your side, not the sellers, also include the text from your sellers email.

Just out of interest was this a sim free phone? I know Tesco's are doing good deals on contract phones, Samsung Galaxy S2's, HTC Wildfire's and Iphone 3's.

My daughter is pestering me for an Iphone, I can't & won't buy a Iphone 4, but the 3 is being done for £20 a month, although its a 24 month contract :(

Re: EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

T-Mobile are doing the iPhone 3GS, free phone and £15/mth for 24mths.

Re: EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

My mate is having similar trouble but from the point of view of a seller. He listed an iPhone 3GS and described the thing as unlocked (jailbroken) and had a stiff Home key. Now the buyer is complaining that the button is stiff and it's not unlocked. What he did was connect it to iTunes and updated it which removed the unlock. He has had a dipute raised against him but it was as described.

Get a dispute in fast, the item is not a descibed. If it was fine when it went out then he should have packed it better. Not your problem there.

Re: EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

I must be getting soft in my old age. Rather than get into a never ending P***** contest I've found a company that will repair it for £54. I will try to get REGENCY TRADING of CHELTENHAM to cough up, but I'm not holding my breath...

The phone is locked to 02 but that was OK for us as he has 18 months left on a contract. Ironically he got a 3GS 8GB for £18 a month with the contract. It's just - as I'm sure you will find with your daughter - 8GB isn't enough for teenagers

Re: EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

Paypal dispute, sellers seemingly have no rights!
Or try claim a partial refund from him but I think that's not going to happen

Re: EBay dispute resolution - any advice please
 

I had this exact same situation happen when I bought an electronic product off the internet.

In my case the seller was selling it in a used but as new condition, when it arrived it had buttons pulled off, cases in terrible condition and one of the units didn't function properly. Got straight onto the seller about this, he then accused me of breaking the units on purpose so I could get a refund back.. this worried me as I though ebay / paypal may read this and take his side.. after a few weeks of arguing back and forth I got the option to escalate the case to Ebay Dispute Centre (basically they look at all the info then decide the verdict). It was immediately decided in my favour and I was to get a full refund.

Now when this happens ebay actually email you pre-paid postage labels!! You print these off and take them and your item to the post office. The postage label they give you has a tracking number that they automatically trace so as soon as it reaches the sellers door you get your money back... if the seller decides to refuse the item then you still get your money back!

SO:
-Do not send your item back for a refund - as he could be just making it up and not bother sending you anything back. leaving you out of pocket and with nothing to show for it.
- go into Ebay and set up a dispute (just do ebays at the moment, no need to do paypal particularly, as the item was bought off ebay they would probably ask you to go through ebays dispute centre first). Also I found ebays dispute centre to be pretty good!
- Wait to be given the option to escalate your case, unless you have come to an agreement. Ebay will then decide the fate, most probably in your favour
- Post item with their pre-paid postage labels that will be emailed to you when you win.

HOPE THIS HELPS!

If you need any more information let me know :)