Yup definitely looks like that.

Really peeves me off. I once had an issue when I sold something for the first time on egay and after that, never bothered selling.

Did he leave any feedback when he received the item?

I'd appeal the case based on the fact it was damaged by the buyer

It definitely looks like it was dropped on the side by the screen fault. Though get a quote to get it fixed and add that to the claim.


I agree with that.

I appealed to eBay via telephone, they stated that, because the buyer mentioned the damage in their opening e-mail, I had to refund.

I pointed out that:
The buyer had it for three weeks. If the buyer sent it on to someone in the forces and it was damaged then, that's their fault not mine.
It couldn't have been damaged in transit, as the outer plastic case is still in perfect condition, so how did the iPod get a dent and a broken screen?
The buyer has damaged it themselves, and it now fraudulently claiming "not as described".
The buyer said in a later message, after I asked them to clarify, that the iPod worked fine on the first day they had it.

eBay bloke took a couple of minutes to go away and read, and came back with "because the buyer pointed out the damage in their opening complaint, you have to refund the buyer. Your appeal has been unsuccessful".

This despite the "opening complaint" being 3 weeks after it was delivered(!). eBay are blaming transit damage, even though said damage could have occurred when they forwarded it on, not when I sent it. Of course, that didn't happen anyway because the plastic case is fine.

So it's on to the county court. In my county court claim I am claiming the full amount I have lost, i.e. the £172 they paid, plus my original postage, plus court costs, giving a total of £203.

I intend to write them a "without prejudice" letter, offering to settle for the cost of repair, which is around £110. Otherwise I shall proceed to court seeking the full amount.

EDIT: @Oli, no, they still haven't left any feedback to this day.

Well here's hoping you win.

I'm not sure how they can get away with it 3 weeks after the date. What is the 'no return's garb all about then?

+1

My wife and I have had a couple of issues with selling high-value items on ebay. We've been trying to sell her laptop, but each time we list it the buyer wants us to send it to a "brother" or "cousin" in Nigeria. Have given up and we still have the laptop. We tried Gumtree too, but had the same result.

They play the "paypal is holding onto the money until a tracking number is provided" trick. Not using ebay again...ever.

I’ve only used eBay to buy small value items or obscure bits for my old computers. I think the most expensive thing I bought was a Hornby APT train. I’m not really keen on buying or selling value electronics there.

In those cases I find the options for blocking buyers without Paypal accounts and "primary address in countries I don't post to" works a treat.

Good luck with it all dude

Likewise, I always block anywhere not in the UK. That doesn't fully protect you of course, as you unfortunately found out.