eBay and PayPal did what they were supposed to do the last time I had to deal with a refund issue on eBay. They responded quickly.
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(Unfortunately) My first ebay dispute
- Thread starter AudioDwebe
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- ebay
Having used eBay since 2003, I've been down this road a few times. Don't worry, you'll win this dispute. In fact most cases, eBay sides with the buyer.
By the way, the term there is "held in place by a set screw."
If it helps with your process, I would offer this description: "At some point prior to sale, the original truss rod adjustment nut was broken off and replaced with an improvised fix that is not adjustable with standard tools. The seller suggests I use a custom-notched screwdriver, which is an unreasonable expectation that he failed to disclose, both in the original ad and in response to my explicit question about adjusting the truss rod."
Fair enough. That's not 100% clear in the OP.
If so, that should've been disclosed by the seller but at the same time, it doesn't necessarily mean that the truss rod doesn't adjust.
Make sure all your correspondence with the seller is via the eBay messaging system. That's the only way the security/dispute department can track and verify your exchange with him. Obviously, the seller was not forthright with his auction item description or answers to your specific concerns.
This should be a routine claim/return/full refund.
This should be a routine claim/return/full refund.
I tried adjusting the truss rod but it would not turn and the screw driver kept slipping off the filed slot in the nut. It could also very well be the truss rod was already maxxed out and wouldn't turn anymore (strings too high off the fretboard). That was one issue I had with a previous Carvin bass I bought. Luckily, that was through GC and I easily returned it. Hence, my questions to the seller.
Yea, you really should have stopped talking to him and filed the complaint right away. Not as described. Ebay walks you through the process. Now here is the kicker.. You will have to pay shipping back to the seller which will not be refunded. Shipping to you might be refunded. So you are going to be out cash. Also, the seller will have days to accept the return. But again you will have to provide a tracking number and then it will have to be delivered and then you have to wait for it to be approved. It can take a while.
Last time it happened to me I was emailed a pre-paid return label (pdf) to print out and attach.
This was the UK so may not apply elsewhere.
If you're attentive to Paypal they will send out an email now and then to encourage users to sign up for free "return shipping on us" This gives you 11 $30 returns per calendar year. Make a point of signing up for that "next time" that I hope never happens . The other thing is if, as someone else who checked the guy says he has 100% spotless feedback, he won't want to compromise that. You haven't threatened him with a bad feedback so it will be within your right to leave one should he balk at a return. I always go straight to opening a case and communicate through the case after it's opened. You will get your money back.
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You have every right to a refund. PayPal is on the buyer's side.
DO NOT contact the seller again. Let PayPal handle it.
DO NOT contact the seller again. Let PayPal handle it.
Apparently, the seller has decided to become a bit mean spirited and tacky sending me this email at 0422 this morning:
"Be sure to check that the knobs are tight and that the solder joints are not tampered with. How about those strap buttons?? You might want to mention that you received a dummy switch as well. It's all about the happiness, not that you got a 100% functioning $1700 for $650. File your case, we'll see where it goes."
I just filed my case about an hour ago. I'm thinking his definition of 100% functioning and mine are slightly different. I just don't get it, man. Who the hell sells a bass with a sheered off truss rod tip without mentioning it?!?!
"Be sure to check that the knobs are tight and that the solder joints are not tampered with. How about those strap buttons?? You might want to mention that you received a dummy switch as well. It's all about the happiness, not that you got a 100% functioning $1700 for $650. File your case, we'll see where it goes."
I just filed my case about an hour ago. I'm thinking his definition of 100% functioning and mine are slightly different. I just don't get it, man. Who the hell sells a bass with a sheered off truss rod tip without mentioning it?!?!
If the buyer wins the case, the seller must pay for all return shipping costs.
Did he send that through the eBay messaging system?
If so (1) don't bother replying, and (2) he's toast.
Nothing to do now but run the process and watch the seller go down in flames. Ignore the noise and, as Gold Five says: "Stay on target... Stay on target!"
Sorry for my misunderstanding that the communication through eBay is not an email. His last message to me was through eBay, as have all other communications (with the exception of a phone call I received when I won the bid where we talked for a while and he informed me the toggle switch on the MM pickup wasn't soldered, which I personally found a bit weird but he sent me a photo of the inside of the cavity which showed a switch solder-free).
After the conversation I thought it slightly f'd that it wasn't mentioned in his ad that the toggle, which generally goes from SC to HB wasn't even connected. I mentioned that to my friend and just laughed that off since I could get it connected by a tech later. Even during our conversation there was no mention of the truss rod.
He seemed like a cool dude then. Now, I'm thinking not.
After the conversation I thought it slightly f'd that it wasn't mentioned in his ad that the toggle, which generally goes from SC to HB wasn't even connected. I mentioned that to my friend and just laughed that off since I could get it connected by a tech later. Even during our conversation there was no mention of the truss rod.
He seemed like a cool dude then. Now, I'm thinking not.
Probably a bit late in the day but in all Ebay communications be polite, state the facts and never be tempted to descent to mud slinging, taunts and insults despite the fact the the other party may have done.
