17 replies to this topic

[biggav]

I sold loads of stuff on ebay last week.. some good as new, some not so new but still useable.
Included in the lots were a red leather Steering Wheel and a Black Astralli Wheel both from the 1970's era, listed as Used starting at 99p No reserve.

Now, i'm sorry if it's anyone on here who bought either of the wheels but i'm going to vent my spleen anyway.

With less than 24 hours to go on the auction, i noticed that the Red (this one)wheel had a flap of leather missing off the side and tried to contact all the bidders (which EBAY don't let you do) instead i put a notice on the auction saying about the damage and that people could cancel bids if they wanted too.. 2 people asked for pics of the damage which i emailed and texted to them, the item sold and the winning bidder had deffinatley bid after the notice had gone on the auction.

all of the wheels (i sold three) were packaged in thick green plastic garden waste bags which were tied and taped, postage cost 5 of the £6 i had charged for postage and packaging (when you add up the cost of printig lables, labour for packaging and the indignity of queing for 40 minutes in the post office next to smelly people i reckon i'm probably on the cheap side.)

I had a message from the buyer of the red wheel saying they weren't happy with the condition of the wheel as the damage was bigger than i had described, there was rust on the back (powdery surface rust, not bubbly corrosion) and the centre cover didn't fit properly.. (i fitted it before sending it without any problem) and they wanted there money back... i was a bit miffed having started the auction at 99p and getting complaints!! (i didn't put any return policy on there either)

I offered the buyer a full refund and aksed them to post the wheel back to me. Am i a mug?

The Astralli wheel which came out of my own car has now reached the purchaser and again i have a complaint that it is damaged and was insufficiently packed!!! I have responded that it was not damaged when i sent it and that i started it at 99p as it was used and i just wanted it out of the way... not offered a refund on this though, just asked what they think i should do.

I have now had a message back about the red wheel asking me to refund postage aswell as they will be paying twice!!!!

What do people expect when buying used things from the 1970's on ebay starting at 99p no reserve, rock bottom postage with no return policy, but the option to collect free of charge or inspect before bidding????????????

[Natalie]

I personally wouldn't refund postage, if you bought something off a website and weren't happy with you'd still be expected to pay for the return as well.

[biggav]

yeah... i'm just wondering wheather to tell them both to stick it as to be honest i'm happy with what i sent out... and i only wanted 99p for it, there fault if they bid £20!!!!!

[biggav]

Yeah.. but paypal will probably just agree with the buyer and remove money from my account!!!! thats what they always seem to do!!!!

Edit: not that i have ever had anyone claim against me, or bad feedback for that matter!!!

[LOWRIDERHORNET]

If it was 99p and i had the steering wheeling
Me......I would`nt complan becasue its only 99p
You get some fussy Buggers on there

[philster]

to be honest you can't leave yourself open to it on ebay

I always make sure there's a good quality pic of each item and any rust/marks clearly listed and also add that buyers must study the pictures before bidding and all items are sold as seen.

If someone is claiming the wheel is damaged (ie it has been damaged in the post) then they have a fair point, if you sent by royal mail there is usually some insurance (I think up to £30) as standard.

Of course there are plenty of nobs on ebay, i've had a fair few of them........................

[biggav]

I didn't think you could add pics within the last 12 hours.

Wheels started at 99p but were bid up to £18 and £20

i only put the bare minimum details and pics up as i was selling about 20 items and didn't have much time... plus at 99p start i'm not putting much hope in it anyway!!!!

The winner of the black wheel has now fitted it but still thinks i should have bubble wrapped or newspapered the wheel before wrapping....

Am i bovvered??

[slyoldfox2001]

mate

people complain when u offer things for free !!


ebay is just so open to problems now its just getting a joke

[biggav]

left me neutral feedback too!!!! SWINE!!!!

[sixwheeler]

I personally wouldn't refund postage, if you bought something off a website and weren't happy with you'd still be expected to pay for the return as well.

Not entirely true:

The Distance Selling Regulations require you to refund any money paid by or on behalf of the consumer in relation to the contract to the person who made the payment. This means the full price of the goods, or deposit or prepayment made, including the cost of delivery. The essence of distance selling is that consumers buy from home and receive goods at home. In these circumstances, almost every case of home shopping will involve delivery of the goods ordered and so delivery forms an essential part of the contract.

If you want the consumer to return the goods and to pay for that return, you must make it clear in the contract and as part of the required written information. If the consumer then fails to return the goods, or sends them at your expense, you
can charge them the direct cost to you of the return, even if you have already refunded the consumer’s money. You are not allowed to make any further charges, such as a restocking charge or an administration charge.

If you did not include these details in the required written information then you cannot charge anything. You can never require consumers to pay the cost of returning substitute goods.

If the goods are faulty or do not comply with the contract, you will have to pay for their return whatever the circumstances.

HOWEVER: Sales by private individuals not acting for business purposes are not covered by the DSRs, i.e a private seller on ebay.

[minimanclive]

What about buying a car on ebay that only goes for 100 miles before breaking down?

[paulrockliffe]

What about buying a car on ebay that only goes for 100 miles before breaking down?

Depends why it broke down I would expect.

My memory isn't 100% on this, but I think it's against the law to sell a vehicle that isn't in a road worthy condition, so maybe you'd be able to use this to your advantage. I'm not sure how people selling projects on forums get round this, or whether they're just leaving themselves wide open to problems if someone points out that the project they just bought isn't road worthy, but thats a side issue.

The second hand motor trade being much better established than the ebay market, I'd expect there to be some specific regulations that apply to this sort of situation, but you'll have to wait for a better Anorak than me to come along.....

[sixwheeler]

What about buying a car on ebay that only goes for 100 miles before breaking down?

If you are buying off a private seller then really the old addage of 'buyer beware' is what it boils down to. You cannot misrepresent anything you are tryng to sell without leaving yourself open to civil action, but if you describe it correctly and truthfully then there can be no comeback.

If it happens to breakdown 100yds down the road, if it has been described properly and bought from a private individual, then tough luck! When you buy from a private individual, it is up to you to find out whether the car is of satisfactory quality, to make your own checks on what you are told and to take responsibility for your choice as the seller is not liable for the satisfactory quality of the vehicle. You are still entitled, however, to expect the car to be ‘as described’; if the advertisement says ‘2000 Blue Mini’ or ‘excellent condition’ then it should be exactly that.

Whether you buy privately or from a motor trader, you are entitled to expect that the car is roadworthy when you buy it, unless you and the seller clearly agree it is to be sold as scrap etc.

When buying from a trader then you can expect the item (by law) to be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose unless otherwise described.

With Ebay, you have the same basic rights against a trader as you do with any other purchase, although auction sales are exempt from the Distance Selling Regulations. However, your statutory rights cannot be excluded when buying from a trader through an Internet auction.

You have very few rights when buying from private individuals, the main thing being misrepresentation ,but that is a civil matter and could get rather expensive.

The above applies to anything, not just cars.

[Scott the unicyclist]

What about buying a car on ebay that only goes for 100 miles before breaking down?

My memory isn't 100% on this, but I think it's against the law to sell a vehicle that isn't in a road worthy condition,

You can sell it if it isn't in road worthy condition... it will just need to be trailered away, not driven.

[minimanclive]

What about buying a car on ebay that only goes for 100 miles before breaking down?

My memory isn't 100% on this, but I think it's against the law to sell a vehicle that isn't in a road worthy condition,

You can sell it if it isn't in road worthy condition... it will just need to be trailered away, not driven.

I've been onto citizens advice, the office of fair tradiing, and trading standards today. The car was roadworthy for the test drive and at the time of purchase, although an oil leak and dodgy valve seals were pointed out. The car had a sold as seen receipt. It does appear to be a case of buyer beware.