F***ing eBay w***ers!

Fiftyshadesofjay

Seriously, never sell anything on eBay!

Sold my bargain Blackstar Artisan 30 on eBay three weeks ago, collection only. Tried tested and collection code signed, all good.

Buyer messages me a few days later asking how to work the channel switching on it and wants to know where the footswitch is? Politely explained that’s not how the amp works but whatever.

Sure enough a few days ago a return request is opened, amp is now “buzzing like a bee” and is “probably the filter caps”. It was serviced just before it was sold by Blackstar themselves.

I’ve asked multiple times for video evidence of the issue which has been completely ignored. 

Finally gave in and said fine, I’ll have it back and I’ll just refund you. Buyer says their house has fleas so I can’t go to them and my house is too far so we’d need to meet in the middle. I’m guessing that’s so I can’t actually test it myself.

Obviously this being eBay I’m over a barrel and unless I get it back they’ll probably just refund anyway. 

What a load of bollocks.

CountryDave

EBay is full of arseholes.
I listed a guitar, very clearly stated collection only. Buyer clicked’Buy it now’ then started sending messages asking me to post it.

TTony

Fiftyshadesofjay said:

 amp is now “buzzing like a bee” 

Fiftyshadesofjay said:

Buyer says their house has fleas 

What sound do fleas make


eBay is eBay - when it works, it's great.  When it doesn't, the seller loses.

ecc83

I have never and will never buy or sell anything on Ebay. This forum has a classifieds section as does soundonsound.com and I would expect both to take some responsibility for ads?

For the record. I never had any capacitor of any kind fail in any Blackstar product. The capacitors in the Artisans are good for another 20 years at least.

Dave.

impmann

Its a sign, Jay... a sign that you should keep this fine amplifier.

LionAquaLooper

Sorry to hear that. Unfortunately it is a minefield out there. Small consolation but at the very least you'll be getting the amp back.

I've read horror ebay stories online where a similar thing happened, buyer collected, said its faulty and initiated a return. But instead of handing back the item in person, eBay sent them a postage label (at sellers expense) and they received a brick or some random item instead. And the refund was completed. 

Fiftyshadesofjay

impmann said:

Its a sign, Jay... a sign that you should keep this fine amplifier.

Indeed! Just want it back now. Though I do have and am using the head currently so I’m not totally without some Artisan goodness! 

TTony

ecc83 said:

This forum has a classifieds section as does soundonsound.com and I would expect both to take some responsibility for ads?

This forum (as in the admin team) takes no responsibility for ads or deals here.  Buyers have to assure themselves of the bona fides of the sellers.

But it is deliberately very transparent which allows self-policing - ie, if a scammer appears, they get outed pretty quickly.  

It works well when deals are between established members.  Personally I avoid people who sign up one day and advertise a load of stuff the next day (no bona fides), but not everyone is that wary

stickyfiddle

Don't sell on eBay. You'd have to be made. 

Hopefully the amp makes it back to you and you can sell (via not-ebay!) to someone else who isn't an idiot.

Dodge

Fiftyshadesofjay said:

Seriously, never sell anything on eBay!

Sold my bargain Blackstar Artisan 30 on eBay three weeks ago, collection only. Tried tested and collection code signed, all good.

Refuse the refund.  If they collected and the collection code was given, it means they were happy with the amp at tbe point of collection which is where your liability ends.  That it's failed (it probably hasn't) after three weeks is their problem, not yours.

Fiftyshadesofjay

Dodge said:

Fiftyshadesofjay said:

Seriously, never sell anything on eBay!

Sold my bargain Blackstar Artisan 30 on eBay three weeks ago, collection only. Tried tested and collection code signed, all good.

Refuse the refund.  If they collected and the collection code was given, it means they were happy with the amp at tbe point of collection which is where your liability ends.  That it's failed (it probably hasn't) after three weeks is their problem, not yours.

That would be the ideal solution but unfortunately eBay doesn’t work that way. 

Dodge

Fiftyshadesofjay said:

Dodge said:

Fiftyshadesofjay said:

Seriously, never sell anything on eBay!

Sold my bargain Blackstar Artisan 30 on eBay three weeks ago, collection only. Tried tested and collection code signed, all good.

Refuse the refund.  If they collected and the collection code was given, it means they were happy with the amp at tbe point of collection which is where your liability ends.  That it's failed (it probably hasn't) after three weeks is their problem, not yours.

That would be the ideal solution but unfortunately eBay doesn’t work that way. 

Yes it does.  It'd be different if you sent the amp and it arrived not as described / faulty but they inspected, collected and gave you the collection code.

Lewy

stickyfiddle said:

Don't sell on eBay. You'd have to be made. 

So that if something goes wrong, Pauly will send someone to whack them?

Fiftyshadesofjay

Dodge said:

Fiftyshadesofjay said:

Dodge said:

Fiftyshadesofjay said:

Seriously, never sell anything on eBay!

Sold my bargain Blackstar Artisan 30 on eBay three weeks ago, collection only. Tried tested and collection code signed, all good.

Refuse the refund.  If they collected and the collection code was given, it means they were happy with the amp at tbe point of collection which is where your liability ends.  That it's failed (it probably hasn't) after three weeks is their problem, not yours.

That would be the ideal solution but unfortunately eBay doesn’t work that way. 

Yes it does.  It'd be different if you sent the amp and it arrived not as described / faulty but they inspected, collected and gave you the collection code.

Please advise me how then because these are the only options I have -

Accept the return

Give a full refund

Offer a partial refund

Send the buyer a message

Ask us to step in and help

Dodge

Fiftyshadesofjay said:

Please advise me how then because these are the only options I have -

Accept the return

Give a full refund

Offer a partial refund

Send the buyer a message

Ask us to step in and help

Ask us to step in and help.

Ebay live chat might be a good idea too before you click anything though.  As far as you're concerned you sold an item that was collection only, they inspected, presumably tested and were happy enough with the item to give you your collection code which proves that they took the item away.

Your listing specified no returns.  It was used, therefore no warranty.

Who knows what they've done to the amp in three weeks, plus your requests for evidence, the house having fleas etc, just sends alarm bells off.  They're trying it on.

Fiftyshadesofjay

Dodge said:

Fiftyshadesofjay said:

Please advise me how then because these are the only options I have -

Accept the return

Give a full refund

Offer a partial refund

Send the buyer a message

Ask us to step in and help

Ask us to step in and help.

Ebay live chat might be a good idea too before you click anything though.  As far as you're concerned you sold an item that was collection only, they inspected, presumably tested and were happy enough with the item to give you your collection code which proves that they took the item away.

Your listing specified no returns.  It was used, therefore no warranty.

Who knows what they've done to the amp in three weeks, plus your requests for evidence, the house having fleas etc, just sends alarm bells off.  They're trying it on.

I completely agree with you about them trying it on. But if I ask them to step in and help it will just go to an untrained advisor who’s probably never seen an amp before and just find in the buyers favour, leaving me with no amp and no money.

I did speak to them on the phone and they said I need to accept the return. 

Dodge

Fiftyshadesofjay said:

I completely agree with you about them trying it on. But if I ask them to step in and help it will just go to an untrained advisor who’s probably never seen an amp before and just find in the buyers favour, leaving me with no amp and no money.

I did speak to them on the phone and they said I need to accept the return. 

I'd 100% be fighting that.  Ebay live chat is what I'd be doing.

Regardless as to whether it's an amp or a goldfish bowl it doesn't matter:

You sold a used item with no returns and no warranty.

They collected in person after inspecting and were happy with what they bought.

They gave you your collection code which proves they were happy to take the item away.

Three weeks later they say it's faulty and won't give you evidence.

The only reasson I can think Ebay have said you need to refund it is perhaps because you've already said you would - but I'd be 100% fighting that.  Get onto Ebay live chat, explain the above.

DefaultM

If it was cash on collection then select 'send buyer a message'. In the body of the message type "tough shit".

LionAquaLooper

Fiftyshadesofjay said:

Dodge said:

Fiftyshadesofjay said:

Dodge said:

Fiftyshadesofjay said:

Seriously, never sell anything on eBay!

Sold my bargain Blackstar Artisan 30 on eBay three weeks ago, collection only. Tried tested and collection code signed, all good.

Refuse the refund.  If they collected and the collection code was given, it means they were happy with the amp at tbe point of collection which is where your liability ends.  That it's failed (it probably hasn't) after three weeks is their problem, not yours.

That would be the ideal solution but unfortunately eBay doesn’t work that way. 

Yes it does.  It'd be different if you sent the amp and it arrived not as described / faulty but they inspected, collected and gave you the collection code.

Please advise me how then because these are the only options I have -

Accept the return

Give a full refund

Offer a partial refund

Send the buyer a message

Ask us to step in and help

Be careful when asking eBay to step in and help.  I bought something once and was genuinely defective.  Initiated the return, the seller argued, he/she asked eBay to step in and within seconds eBay issued me a refund AND eBay told me I don't need to return the item anymore.  The seller didn't even get a chance to plead their case.  That was for an item that was posted to me, and yours was collection but I really don't believe eBay's Buyer Protection Policy cares either way.  You press that button and you run the risk of losing the money AND your amp.

Best bet is to call eBay explain the situation.  But think twice if they offer to step in.  

BillDL

Refuse to accept it on the basis that it is now most likely contaminated with fleas.

theatreanchor

Very sorry to read your predicament. Sounds awful. Compounded by fleas (guess it’s not called fleabay for nothing). Would echo @LionAquaLooper - eBay are very much on the side of the buyer. Good luck with it.