Buyer Claiming Item Didnt Meet Description Question

[b_kauz]

Buyer Claiming Item Didn't Meet Description Question

So I have bought and sold on ebay for years and today ran into my first claim of item not matching the description under ebay's new policy that forces me to pay for return shipping and give a refund. When the claim was filed nothing was mentioned other than the listing didn't match the description. The lot was for 63 vintage GI Joes which included the following description:

"This auction listing is for a huge lot of 63 vintage GI Joe action figures! As you will see this is a big lot of figures that would be perfect for building your army. Each figure appears to have some type of wear but there is ALOT of good parts here and even a few decent figures but only 1 or 2 that may be considered in pretty good condition over all but like I said a ton of good parts here! This would make a great addition to your collection!!If you have any questions please ask before bidding and check out my other auctions as I do combine shipping!"

I disclosed up front that each figure has some type of wear but would still be good for some parts plus there were a few that were in good shape. So I messaged the buyer and asked what didn't match the description (note there were 5 pictures of the figures on the listing) and this is the reply I recieved:
"Besides the fact that the gi joes that were there were not usable for parts because they were either broken, so far gone with faded paint, or had too many loose joints...I just simply feel I payed way too much money for a lot that ended up having way too many non-G.I. Joe figures, and I don't want to be stuck with those...."

So should I be the one on the line for paying this guys return shipping because he didn't read the description or look at the pictures and now after recieving the item he doesn't want them? Seems like that is really screwing over the seller and what he is leaving out is there are still alot of good parts that can be used? Most likely I will just go through with it even though thats going to cost me around $15 in shipping cost.

 

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[gollum]

In your description:

This auction listing is for a huge lot of 63 vintage GI Joe action figures!

In the buyers statement:

.I just simply feel I payed way too much money for a lot that ended up having way too many non-G.I. Joe figures, and I don't want to be stuck with those

You advertised the lot as being 63 GI Joe action figures, but the buyer says that many were not GI Joe.If true, then you should absolutely refund and pay for shipping. Based on your description, as a buyer, I would have assumed that all 63 of the figures were GI Joe Action Figures.

Mike

 

[b_kauz]

Understandale I can see your points. The other figures were gi joe type figures made by a different company that most people buying that lot would know ahead of time, but thanks for the outsiders opinion. Sometimes I get in the toy collector mindset that all people realize that if they are shown in the pictures they should know which are Joes and which arn't and bid accordingly. Thanks again.

 

[meanpc]

Understandale I can see your points. The other figures were gi joe type figures made by a different company that most people buying that lot would know ahead of time, but thanks for the outsiders opinion. Sometimes I get in the toy collector mindset that all people realize that if they are shown in the pictures they should know which are Joes and which arn't and bid accordingly. Thanks again.

Buyers never think they are responsible for looking at the photos. In my description, I will often tell them to look at the photos for condition information, photos are part of the description, etc. But yeh, the way you described your auction burned you. Every word in your description can help sell your item, but it can also burn you if it is not 100% truth.

 

[diggummup]

Yes, you should have mentioned the non GI Joe figures in your description, regardless if they are pictured or not. By not doing so, this gives the buyer a way out. Tell him to return it. Then refund him upon arrival and inspection. Relist and mention the non GI Joes. Or you can try to work out a deal with the buyer and give a partial refund to avoid all the hassles of returning and paying out of pocket for the return shipping. I've done that in the past myself with success.

BTW- It may be a new thing to have to refund a buyers return shipping for an item that's SNAD, but that's something I've done for years when I screw up an order or erroneously describe a listing. Actually I only had to do it twice but, if it's my fault then I should eat the loss, not the customer. It's the cost of doing business.

 

[meanpc]

I actually had an eBay rep tell me a pretty smart thing when discussing feedback I was disputing.

-Include photos so good that you don't need a text description.
-Include a text description so good that you don't need photos

 

[nathan104]

I would send them back to you as well. Your listing clearly states 63 GI Joes, yet some of the included figures are not GI Joes. Youll get the same returns if you sell a lot of LEGOS and some of them are the small Mega Blocks. You misrepresented your merchandise. Take it as a lesson learned. Be very specific in your description.

 

[jerseyben]

Please post a link to the specific auction in question.