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Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

post #1 of 25
3/28/08 at 2:46pm
Thread Starter 
I bought a lens from a guy on eBay, and I believe he misrepresented the item. He said the lens was functional, but it fails to mount on my Nikon body, or any other Nikon body I've tried. I realize I wasn't getting a lens in perfect condition, but not even being able to mount the lens does not mean functional in my estimation.

So, I write him, and he says that he specified the lens mount was tight (he didn't), and that it worked when he sent it to me. He says no returns, which was also not listed in his auction.

I suppose it's my fault for not inquiring more before bidding, but he misrepresented his item, and I'm not going to swallow a $400 paperweight. What are my options? I paid with a Visa card via Paypal. Thanks everyone.

CJ
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post #2 of 25
3/28/08 at 2:53pm

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Make sure you get a printout of the eBay page before it goes away.
Leave negative feedback.
Dispute the charge with Visa and use eBay resolution center.

I would agree with you that if the add says "functional" it should be able to be mounted on a Nikon camera.
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post #3 of 25
3/28/08 at 3:02pm

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

His auction description is very contradictory. He does state it is "functional" but then also says it may need "minor or major to repair" and adds that it is being sold "as-is for parts".
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post #4 of 25
3/28/08 at 3:11pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan X
His auction description is very contradictory. He does state it is "functional" but then also says it may need "minor or major to repair" and adds that it is being sold "as-is for parts".
True. Even if the item needed repair (which I factored into my bid), the inclusion of the word "functional" can only mean one thing.

I don't want to leave negative feedback, because he could just give it back to me. There is Paypal resolution center as well, has anyone used these dispute resolution services before? Would I be better off disputing it with my credit card and forgetting about these resolution services?

CJ
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post #5 of 25
3/28/08 at 3:16pm

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Fortunately I've never had to use any resolution services. So I'm just guessing, but maybe go with PayPal first, then if that fails go to your credit card issuer.

As for negative feedback, can he even leave you negative feedback? Didn't Ebay recently change their policy where sellers can only leave positive feedback or none at all?
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post #6 of 25
3/28/08 at 3:20pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan X
...
As for negative feedback, can he even leave you negative feedback? Didn't Ebay recently change their policy where sellers can only leave positive feedback or none at all?
That sounds familiar now that you mention it. I don't do a ton of stuff on eBay, but it's interesting for my situation.

CJ
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post #7 of 25
3/28/08 at 3:22pm

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

I'm not sure what date that took/takes effect.

*EDIT*

Upcoming Changes to Feedback

Apparently that new rule doesn't take effect until May.
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post #8 of 25
3/28/08 at 5:02pm

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

I used the PayPal resolution process one time and got all my money back eventually. But this was on an item that I didn't receive at all. I don't know how it would work in your situation.
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post #9 of 25
3/28/08 at 5:39pm

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Have you thought about taking the lens to a reputable camera store to get their opinion on its condition? At the very least you'd have a professional opinion as to its functionality or lack there of.
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post #10 of 25
3/28/08 at 7:27pm

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Didn't know about those feedback changes...they are major!
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post #11 of 25
3/28/08 at 10:53pm

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

My opinion is that you should have asked questions before bidding and that you're not getting "screwed". I really can't see where the item is misrepresented. You emphasize on the word "functional" whereas you should have focused on the phrases "minor or major to repair" and "as-is for parts". You bid on something that clearly was faulty. You got what you should have expected to get - I would have given this auction a pass just based on this unless that's what I was looking for. I'm sorry, you were not being very smart here.

If you dispute this directly with your credit card company to get this charge reversed, Paypal is not going to like you and will probably suspend your account.
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post #12 of 25
3/29/08 at 9:24am

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Quote:
Originally Posted by alan halvorson
I really can't see where the item is misrepresented. You emphasize on the word "functional" whereas you should have focused on the phrases "minor or major to repair" and "as-is for parts". You bid on something that clearly was faulty.... I'm sorry, you were not being very smart here.
I disagree that the item wasn't misrepresented, the seller said it was functional and then went on to say it wasn't. The seller was less than truthful.

Having said that, I agree there were red flags on this item that should have warned any buyer away. There's a seller mis-representing the item and then it's also defective. You should never have bid on it.
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post #13 of 25
3/29/08 at 10:00am

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

An SLR lens can only be proven functional if it is mounted to and SLR. Funtional never means "well I can turn both barrel's so I deem it functional"

"performing or capable of performing; "in running (or working) order"; "a functional set of brakes""

You wouldn't just look at brakes on a car and say they work would you??

Clearly misrepresented the item IMO!

Brent
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post #14 of 25
3/29/08 at 10:43am

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Christ Reynolds
I don't want to leave negative feedback, because he could just give it back to me. There is Paypal resolution center as well, has anyone used these dispute resolution services before?

I used eBay's dispute console exactly one time and it did absolutely nothing for me. I paid $60 with a money order and never got the item, so I opened a dispute. If eBay did anything behind the scenes, I never even saw their involvement. I certainly never got my money back.

The guy was apparently raising Christmas money by "selling" items he never intended to send. Every single person he dealt with in December left him negative feedback, including myself. It was the only time I've left negative, and I was able to do so with impunity since he left positive immediately.

eBay might have done something about all the complaints, because he was quickly listed as "no longer a registered user." Either that, or he got his bread so he split. In any case, I think I would go PayPal in the future, since they have a better record of getting your money back in a case like this. I don't know how they handle it when you actually get an unsatisfactory item, though.
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post #15 of 25
3/29/08 at 10:45am

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Quote:
An SLR lens can only be proven functional if it is mounted to and SLR. Funtional never means "well I can turn both barrel's so I deem it functional"

On the other hand, if it did mount properly, why would the seller have needed to mention "as-is for parts" and "minor or major repair"? He said the glass was okay, so that leaves only a couple of things (such as the mount) that would require him to put those cautionary words in.

I know it's a bit of a stretch, but "functional" could mean it works if you manually hold it (tape it?) to the camera body.
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post #16 of 25
3/29/08 at 11:34am

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg_S_H
I used eBay's dispute console exactly one time and it did absolutely nothing for me. I paid $60 with a money order and never got the item, so I opened a dispute. If eBay did anything behind the scenes, I never even saw their involvement. I certainly never got my money back.

The guy was apparently raising Christmas money by "selling" items he never intended to send. Every single person he dealt with in December left him negative feedback, including myself. It was the only time I've left negative, and I was able to do so with impunity since he left positive immediately.

eBay might have done something about all the complaints, because he was quickly listed as "no longer a registered user." Either that, or he got his bread so he split. In any case, I think I would go PayPal in the future, since they have a better record of getting your money back in a case like this. I don't know how they handle it when you actually get an unsatisfactory item, though.

That's exactly what happened in my case. (Might have been the same guy)

But I did use PayPal and finally got all my money back.
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post #17 of 25
3/29/08 at 12:12pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

It's obvious NOW that I should have not bid on the item. Nowhere did he say the lens would not even mount on a camera, even though he claims "it worked before I sent it to you". I may have not used my best judgment on this one, but there were about 10 other bidders, certainly they felt the same way. In perfect condition, this lens sells for $1,100. I'm not expecting miracles with a lens that I saved a significant amount of money on, but I expect it to WORK. The seller with perfect feedback told me it would.

CJ
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post #18 of 25
3/29/08 at 12:12pm

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Pannell
That's exactly what happened in my case. (Might have been the same guy)

From your posting history, I'm guessing you're not nerdy enough to have dealt with the same guy. He ripped people off for lightsabers and comic books.
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post #19 of 25
3/29/08 at 3:19pm

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg_S_H
From your posting history, I'm guessing you're not nerdy enough to have dealt with the same guy. He ripped people off for lightsabers and comic books.

Actually, I was trying to buy a pink Furbee from the guy. And before you get the wrong idea, I was buying it for someone else.
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post #20 of 25
3/29/08 at 4:28pm

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

When it comes to eBay, you have to be careful. Personally, I wouldn't have touched that lens with a ten foot cattle prod. Maybe if it sold for $50, and with the anticipation it would be a loss. People try to put a spin on questionable items they sell, but you have a responsibility to yourself to pay attention to the "sold as-is for parts" and that it may need "major" repair. There are red flags all over that one. In my humble opinion, you don't really have anyone to blame but yourself. Doesn't make the seller right, but it's your money and there were many warning signs.
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post #21 of 25
3/29/08 at 5:13pm

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Pannell
I was trying to buy a pink Furbee from the guy... I was buying it for someone else.

Suuuuuuuuuuuuuure you were...
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post #22 of 25
3/29/08 at 7:32pm

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Have you tried asking him what he meant when he said the lens was "functional"?
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post #23 of 25
3/30/08 at 7:35am

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

"I know it's a bit of a stretch"

Certainly is but it's like buying a car that is functional, the engine starts but the tranny is shot, or the brakes are seized.

My first thought would be that the AF motor was shot, and it would be quite an expensive repair.

Brent
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post #24 of 25
3/30/08 at 10:56am
Thread Starter 

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

Thank you to all of those who point out that I made a mistake. It's the FIRST thing I realized.

He said he mounted it on his camera and "it does function". He says it autofocuses. I might take it to a repair shop, if the AF motor is functional, perhaps it won't be cost prohibitive to repair.

I have an old Nikon I could try to mount it on, to check the AF motor. No way I'm attempting this on my D300. The lens won't even sit flush with the mount on the body before you rotate it, as if the lens is too big to fit. Functional indeed.

CJ
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post #25 of 25
3/30/08 at 11:10am

Re: Getting screwed by an eBay seller, what to do?

The "as-is" is the big red flag. He's announcing this sale is final, no matter what its condition is.
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