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.
Comments
I listed a guitar, very clearly stated collection only. Buyer clicked’Buy it now’ then started sending messages asking me to post it.
What sound do fleas make
eBay is eBay - when it works, it's great. When it doesn't, the seller loses.
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.
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
Hopefully the amp makes it back to you and you can sell (via not-ebay!) to someone else who isn't an idiot.
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.
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.
I did speak to them on the phone and they said I need to accept the return.
Best bet is to call eBay explain the situation. But think twice if they offer to step in.