posted on September 9, 2001 08:04:13 AM new
Hello everyone. I need some advice.
I sold my old digital camera a little over a month ago. I've used it a lot, tested it before listing it on ebay, and it was in perfect working condition when I shipped it. Today the buyer emailed me, as he is having problems uploading the pics to his computer. He thinks there is a problem with the serial cable, and unless I can offer him some advice that will make it work, he wants a refund.
In my auction, I stated nothing about refunds - I've never had a policy about them and haven't needed one, until now. The auction ended a month ago, he emailed me and told me he'd test the camera and leave feedback, and he did leave a positive some time ago.
I'm concerned, as a lot of people do have problems with digital camera software. I am emailing him right now to find out if I can help him. I really don't want to have to refund him the money, but - should I? Considering the time that has passed, and the condition of the camera when i sent it?
posted on September 9, 2001 08:12:59 AM new
I would email and offer him as much assistance as you can but I would remind him that he left positive feedback over a month ago on this item, which meant he was pleased with the item and the transaction, and you can not be responsible for what has taken place with the camera from the time he recieved it and the time that has passed since it has been in his possesion. If I bought a camera on ebay, I would certainly have tried it out at the time of purchase and then posted my positive which is what I'm assuming he has had to have done also.......which means the camera was evidently fine when he recieved it just as your auction stated. I would not offer a refund after this amount of time has passed and I don't see that you are obligated to offer one, but I would offer him as much advice as you can and leave it at that.
posted on September 9, 2001 08:56:34 AM new
HELL NO to the refund..i would offer some assistance but not continued support. did you send the manual?? if so he should consult that.......i had the same problem with a dig. camera i sold on ebay and it was definetly operator error........help them a bit but don't go overboard, they left you good Fb and any other type ebay action will amount to nothing...you have done nothing wrong, it is not up to you to train your buyers....some people are just lazy and if they can't get something to work right off they get crazy instead of using their brain
posted on September 9, 2001 09:57:54 AM new
I would refund at this point I would offer any help they might need and suggest where he could buy the new cable they believe could be bad won't cost then more then a few $$ far less then a new camera.
also I noticed with my camera some time the battery will get jared around while takeing pictures and I get errors down loading I just reajust the batteries and its fine.
Some time the batteries got juice enough to take picture for weeks long with out flash but not enough to down load so changeing batteries might fix the problem some cammera go through batteries like water. http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
Email [email protected]
posted on September 9, 2001 11:12:32 AM new
Not sure what to tell you about refunding the payment. But if you're going to continue assisting this person it may become a big hassle. Does the camera that you sold him have a website for trouble shooting? I use an Agfa camera and had problems with my serial port and serial cable and loading the pics from the camera. While the site was somewhat helpful, I later determined I had a defective port! For now I'm using a Flash Path disk for loading my pics to my computer. But there's nothing wrong with the serial cable that I have.
You might want to suggest that this person try the camera on a different computer and serial cable on a friends computer.
posted on September 9, 2001 12:16:04 PM new
I just received an email from a woman who purchased something several weeks ago. It was listed as a girls item and the measurements were given.
She stated she didn't think the listing was clear. The item was only $3.99, so I told her I would refund bid price only if I received the item back this week. She would have to spend $3.95 to send it back. I have not heard from her again nor received the item.
A month is a long time. Bidders should contact you within a few days of receiving items. You aren't Nordstrom, for goodness sakes.
posted on September 9, 2001 12:29:26 PM new
That is the problem with electronics, the person often blames the item instead of thinking the problem might lie with them. I would direct him to an (800) number and website for troubleshooting. Heck, even Nordstrom's doesn't give a refund past 30 days. The sale has to be completed sometime.
posted on September 9, 2001 12:40:19 PM new
i would not refund, offer him all the support you can but the item is his
ITs a risk we take when we buy a used item it may work today die tomorrow
I had a similar situation about a year ago with a tool I sold on ebay It was something that I used daily prior to shipment
I offred the buyer several suggestions as to possible fixs and supplied him with the name of someone who repairs them (it was a prety specilaized item and only a couple of places to get them repaired) and sugggested he call the repair person and talk to hoim about the problem
I never heard back....I never received any feedback but my conscios was clear as I knew it was ok when it left me.
spock here......
posted on September 9, 2001 01:07:12 PM new
My last car I bought was $1200.00.
You know where I'm going with this.
Do you suppose I could go a WEEK LATER to the family that sold me the car and say "ok, it started when I bought it, and it started during this week, but now it won't start. What are you gonna do?" No, I don't think so. The car is SOLD. In working order, used merchandise. Good to go as far as seller knows.
posted on September 10, 2001 03:23:29 PM new
Well, I finally heard back from him, and he admitted to being something of a beginner. He managed to upload some pics, and now wants some help with putting pictures on ebay. So, I don't think he will be asking for a refund...phew. Thanks to everyone for the advice.
I need some advice.