Page 1 of Can anybody offer advice over an eBay dispute?

I bought a phone on behalf of a friend from eBay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1385474308

When I received the phone it could not get a signal, the sim card is often not recognised and if I do manage to get into the phone it turns itself off. The seller claims that the phone must of been damaged in transit and is refusing to offer a refund.

I was not offered to pay any extra for Special (insured) delivery, which I always offer to buyers of my auctions. The phone was just sent in a jiffy bag which I feel isn`t enough.

What's more is that the phone is not as it is described in the auction. The battery is certainly no `brand new` and the handset is not in `excellent condition`.

As well as not being offered a refund the seller also threatens to leave me bad feedback if I do the same to him.

Does anyone suggest anything?
Thanks in advance.

Try filing a complaint

http://cf.squaretrade.com/user_registration/default.cfm

dunno if it does any good. I bought a DVD a few weeks back it came cracked in two places as if someone had pulled it out of the box too hard as the cracks came from the middle hence, I couldn`t watch 2 minutes of the movie, but decided to keep it anyway as couldn`t be arsed to pay postage to send it back, if he would have accepted it. Complained to the seller who didn`t have the decency to reply to apologise. The seller must have known it was cracked, it was too well packed to have been done in transit.

Give negative feedback anyway, doesn`t matter if he does the same because YOU paid (how else can a buyer mess up), so it will be obvious the seller messed up in this case.

Good point Rich. I can always follow up on the complaint, thus damaging his creditability even more.

I think he is worried I will leave negative feedback as in the latest e-mail he sent he wrote

IF YOU LEAVE ME BAD FEEDBACK I CAN DO THE SAME BECAUSE I HAVEN`T LEFT ANY FOR YOU SO I WOULDN`T BOTHER

The words of a worried man.

Try your local Trading Standards office although they will probably offer you little help

Unfortunately it`s a case of Caviet Emptor - buyer beware

Auction sites like e-bay are good way for the scrupulous amoungst us to off load duff goods on the unsuspecting. They know that you have little comeback once you`ve handed over the cash

I would leave negative feedback just now if your not happy. He may then give in and offer some sort of refund or exchange.

I notice he is also selling another Nokia 3310 for £20 which he claims to be faulty, perhaps he has mixed that one up with the one he sold to you. If you do manage to get a refund your probably better going for a brand new 3310, Virgin have them for £79.99 and I`m pretty sure they are unlocked.
http://www.virginmobile.com/mobile/phones/NOK-STD-3310-1.jsp

Hope you get a result.

Gordy

how did you pay for the item?
If by paypal or billpoint etc. you could see about a refund through them.
If by cheque, try your local bank. Send the item back to the seller & ask bank to trace cheque number for refund.
Also if you paid by VISA card I`m pretty sure you can contact VISA (number on back of card) about a refund.
How did he send the item to you normal / recorded (save packaging).
If it was recorded / special 24hr delivery (these are insured, recorded = £27.00, special = up to £2500.00) & as a last resort you can claim off the royal mail if item was damaged in transit.

This item was edited on Friday, 18th October 2002, 15:39

If the goods were damaged in transit, then he (but only he as the sender) can claim compensation back from the royal mail, as long as he has proof of postage.

Any seller that denies this is unscrupulous. I would request his details from ebay and try and resolve the problem by phone if possible.

I would create two more ebay identities ( you can do this on 1 credit card, get a few hotmail addresses) You first ID should put high bid on his other phone £70 odd, and your second ID should bid £72.

Nobody in their right mind would buy a second hand one. Then as soon as you win the auction leave very negative feedback. Say the phone was worn, screen cracked etc.

Then email him and let him know it was you. When he relists the phone, change you ebay ID name and do it all over again.

I would also sign his email address to everything you ever come across on the internet. See he gets bombarded with SPAM.

Someone bid on a dvd of mine once, then said he changed his mind after winning the bid. I said it was okay if he left me positive feedback.

He did, then I went for him.

This item was edited on Friday, 18th October 2002, 16:43

All I can say is don`t mess with General Thade..flipping heck!

sounds like you`ve been well stiffed mate.
leave him negative feedback if you don`t mind getting some yourself, but he sounds like a real asshole whats his emal address? ;)