posted on March 30, 2001 11:00:04 AM
Wisdom, please.
Last November, my husband and I sold a piece of audio equipment to a low-feedback ebayer. My husband, formerly a professional musician, used the equipment, and it was in perfect working order when it shipped. I left positive feedback, and the buyer reported that the item arrived safely and also left me positive feedback. (Not that it's essential, but I have 900+ all-positive feedbacks and he has 4 - mine being the last one he received back in November.)
Today, 4 1/2 months later, the buyer has written reporting the unit was "reconditioned" and has problems. He ended with the following verbatim: <<I will await for your response before I post any negative comments on E-Bay.>>
We never had the unit repaired or reconditioned.
I was hoping you'd have some sage advice on this issue, and how to handle. With so much time elapsed, and the type of item it is, along with the "newbie" status of the buyer, I'm at a loss of what to do.
Thanks all, Di
On a scale of 1 to 10...we'd all weigh a lot less!
posted on March 30, 2001 11:07:32 AM
IMHO, after 4 1/2 months, a transaction can be cosidered completed. You have both left feedback, where is he going to post his neg? Ebay wouldn't even touch this would they? I personally would not even answer his email.
posted on March 30, 2001 11:08:09 AM
Wow. You don't owe him anything, actually. he already left feedback, so you don't need to worry about that.
I'd tell him that you are sorry he is having problems with the unit, however the unit was never reconditioned by you, and was working properly when it was shipped, AND when it was received by him.
After all, you have NO WAY of knowing how he has cared for and used the equipment all this time.
Even a retail store would not accept a return at this late date.
posted on March 30, 2001 11:15:55 AM
Geez! I am getting so fed up with buyers who want to return things months later maybe after the novelty has worn off or they have used and abused it. Enough already, once positive feedback has been exchanged the transaction should be over.
Otherwise they will be in your background haunting and threatening you forever.
I would ignore him. I doubt ebay will do anything either.
posted on March 30, 2001 11:16:34 AM
Don't even respond. Most if not all B&M stores wouldn't even talk to him after this long either. If he already left feedback, he can't leave it again. Even if he hadn't, I don't think you can go back that far anyway.
posted on March 30, 2001 11:31:55 AM
A reply to such inquiry would only lead to additional problems. The transaction was completed in a satisfactory manner and you have no obligation to the customer to reopen the issue.
There are certain risks associated to buying used or preowned equiptment. The seller must have certainly been aware of this when they decided to place their bid.
posted on March 30, 2001 12:17:38 PM
Is there are standard time period, after which - no changes or "problems" can be reported? With or without feedback from buyer?
For example, you sell an item - and 2 months later, they claims it's not as described?
posted on March 30, 2001 01:41:03 PM
Is it possible he has you mixed up with someone else???? Since he is talking about leaving FB, seems he could be talking about a more recent transaction? Have you checked to see if he has won any recent auctions?
I think I would probably reply to him that since the tranaction was 4 1/2months ago, you would have to conclude he was originally pleased with the purchase. I would also add, there aren't many business that don't limit the time for returns/complaints. Ususally it's 90 days.
