eBay: what would YOU do?

[MacVittie]

I'm the seller of this auction. It's pretty clear that the buyer didn't read the description, otherwise they wouldn't have paid such a high price. Seller's can't leave negative feedback anymore, and buyers can pretty much leave any feedback they want. Do I take this rube's money and swallows the negative feedback I'll surely receive, or should I level with him and give him a refund? I described the item accurately and cleared stated the return policy, so there's no shenanigans on my part.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220353048553

[JerseyRich]

It couldn't be any more obvious that it doesn't work.

Fuck it.

[KingGeno]

Fuck him. His problem now.

[~Katja~]

seems like he placed his bit a day before and not as a last minute decision.
At least 3 more thought it was worth that much to be bidding in that range.

What does it cost if it does work? And what do you think is broken? Does it maybe just need batteries?

[KingGeno]

What does it cost if it does work?


$100-$150+. (http://www.google.com/products?q=Texas%20Instruments%20TI-89%20Graphing%20Calculator&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf)

[MacVittie]

seems like he placed his bit a day before and not as a last minute decision.
At least 3 more thought it was worth that much to be bidding in that range.

What does it cost if it does work? And what do you think is broken? Does it maybe just need batteries?

In the store, they're about $120 new. I think I got this one used about 3 years ago for $80-$90. I tried putting in new batteries and even a new backup battery. It had been fritzing out a little bit about a week before it totally died.

[celery]

You did offer a return policy, so I'd send it out, but be prepared for the buyer to return it.

Maybe he's a collector and the price is worth it to him?

[~Katja~]

$100-$150+. (http://www.google.com/products?q=Texas%20Instruments%20TI-89%20Graphing%20Calculator&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf)

then I think he may really intend to repair it and safe a boatload of money

[meanmrbill]

In the long run you'd be better off just refunding his money. Yes, you clearly stated that it didn't work but people are stupid. The most important thing is that its not worth the negative feedback which will cause you bigger problems. I always offer refunds on things i sell on ebay just to avoid this kind of situation.

[celery]

In the long run you'd be better off just refunding his money. Yes, you clearly stated that there were no returns and that it didn't work but people are stupid. The most important thing is that its not worth the negative feedback which will cause you bigger problems. I always offer refunds on things i sell on ebay just to avoid this kind of situation.

I'm confused - it says there's a 7 day return policy in the listing. Doesn't he have to honor that?

[meanmrbill]

I'm confused - it says there's a 7 day return policy in the listing. Doesn't he have to honor that?

Yeah, I edited my post because I got the wrong impression that there were not returns. But if returns are offered then he does have to honor it.

[Hottub]

I may be wrong but the bold, caps "DOES NOT WORK" was pretty clear.
Also following up with "repairable, parts,"

Fuck 'em!

[meanmrbill]

I may be wrong but the bold, caps "DOES NOT WORK" was pretty clear.
Also following up with "repairable, parts,"

Fuck 'em!
He certainly can just say Fuck 'em but I still don't think its worth the negative comments. Ebay is all about the seller ratings.

[topless_mike]

he's beat.
tell him to relist it.

[drjoek]

I'll give ya $58 for it

[MacVittie]

I emailed the guy and told him to re-read the item description to make sure this is the item that he wants. I'll give him a chance to realize his error. If he doesn't want it, I'll relist it and that'll be it. I was expecting to get $10-$20 for this rather than throwing it away.

[topless_mike]

I emailed the guy and told him to re-read the item description to make sure this is the item that he wants. I'll give him a chance to realize his error. If he doesn't want it, I'll relist it and that'll be it. I was expecting to get $10-$20 for this rather than throwing it away.

at least ask him to cover relist costs, if you think its fair.

[Fezticle98]

It's not like he was the only one bidding at that range. There were 3 people well above that $15-20 range.

Take his money. You have a good rating with or without his negative feedback.

[OARADIOHOLE]

Geez...I know its been a while since I sold on Ebay...but now they don't let sellers post negative stuff??? Christ...

Ebay has no respect for sellers thats why I stopped selling through them.

[Badinia]

Geez...I know its been a while since I sold on Ebay...but now they don't let sellers post negative stuff??? Christ...

Ebay has no respect for sellers thats why I stopped selling through them.


Well, I hope you started a LOCAL shop for LOCAL people instead.

[Farmer Dave]

I emailed the guy and told him to re-read the item description to make sure this is the item that he wants. I'll give him a chance to realize his error. If he doesn't want it, I'll relist it and that'll be it. I was expecting to get $10-$20 for this rather than throwing it away.

I'd say with this you have more than met you obligation. If he did miss the big letters saying it doesn't work, I agree on trying to get something for relisting. Or is it possible to get the name of runner up bidder?

[brettmojo]

It couldn't be any more obvious that it doesn't work.

Fuck it.

Fuck him. His problem now.

I may be wrong but the bold, caps "DOES NOT WORK" was pretty clear.
Also following up with "repairable, parts,"

Fuck 'em!

I've sold before, and I've had people try to fuck me on auctions. You covered your responsibility to accurately describe the auction. If the guy tries to cry foul he has no basis to do so.

[DolaMight]

a ti-30x would make that thing thing look like a calculator watch.

[OGC]

If you want to make sure he read the description send him an email AFTER HE PAYS but BEFORE YOU SHIP it asking if he understands that the device IS NOT WORKING. If he responds yes he understands, problem solved. If he responds that he thought it was a working calculator, you have saved yourself the negative feedback and can probably get him to pay to have the item relisted by taking the listing fees before you refund his money.

[santino]

wow it doesn't get any more clear than that. you're absolutely in the right if you keep the money. i don't even think this is a moral issue. you did nothing wrong here.

[JustJon]

It was clear, he bought it, you ship the merchandise. as is.

And by saying AS IS means they are buying it in whatever condition it happens to be. Why would you have a return policy against that?

[spoon]

This all seems too...."calculated" to me!


That's my Funkman shoutout for the week. Soak it in.

[boosterp]

Echoing what others have said, fuck the buyer. Lesson learned on his part that he should of read the full description.

[instrument]

Remember a bunch of people buying PS3 and 360 empty boxes on ebay a couple years ago.....plainly listed as empty boxes.

So don't assume anything on ebay

[PapaBear]

I think he meant to pay that much for a broken item, because he feels he can fix it. BTW... Though you can't leave negative feedback, you can still say bad things about him. I read people's feedback. I don't just look at the rating.

[Gvac]

I would contact the buyer and tell him that even though you clearly stated the condition of the merchandise you just wanted to make sure he understood, but never mention the price.

If he does balk and states he didn't realize it wasn't working, offer a rebate.

[Liverspot]

Mac, you have gone heads above what it would take to make someone realize the obvious. Especially if you mailed the potential customer. If he pays it then he is just doing a basic Ebay transaction

Of course it may be a test........

http://www.greatnorthroad.org/bboard/images/0408/test-screen.jpg