I’ve been shopping on eBay for years and have never had a problem until this week. I bought (buy it now) a snowglobe and when I got it, it was not as pictured in the posting. The picture showed a beautiful snowglobe full of clear water. When I got it, the water level was about 1/2 inch below the top and the water was a little foggy. I got a message from the seller asking for good feedback and responded that I couldn’t do that since the item was misrepresented apparently by an old photo and saying that it was in perfect condition. He responded that the picture was a year old and that he hadn’t noticed anything wrong and would have to take my word for it. He said he could maybe possibly find another one and send it to me, but this is a pretty unique globe and I really doubt that is going to happen. I replied to him and attached pictures of the snowglobe and said I would be satisfied if he refunded part of the price. This was three days ago and I have not heard back from him.
I don’t really want to go to the trouble of returning it. I collect odd snowglobes and even with the problems, I like it. I just wouldn’t have paid as much for one in this condition. But it looks like he’s just going to ignore me. So does anyone have experience going through eBay to resolve something? Is it worth the trouble? It’s only $25. Should I just suck it up and leave him bad feedback?
If you go through resolution, the seller can request that you return the goods to him before issuing a refund, so it may not be worth the trouble to you.
Rather than leave bad feedback I think you should return the globe and get a refund or let it go. From a seller’s perspective it’s sometimes tiresome when you send unique older items and there’s always something somebody wants to gouge you for. This is not to say you are not 100% in the right about it not being accurately portrayed, but refunding based on minor claimed defects is annoying because you never know if you’re getting played. It’s better (IMO) to just reverse the transaction vs beating up his feedback.
The guy has only sold one other item so he is either a newbie or someone who changed their name. If he is a newbie, he needs to know that you can’t advertise something as perfect when it is not. I guess I’ll just sent him another message telling him that and let it go.
If you’re wanting a refund it’s only fair that you return the item. If he still won’t refund you after you return it, then go to eBay about it and/or leave negative feedback.
I didn’t ask him for a complete refund. I asked if he would refund some of the price. I bought an item a few years ago and the seller contacted me and let me know that as he was packaging the item, he noticed a problem with it. He offered to refund part of the price if I still wanted the item. I assume that’s what sellers do in those cases but maybe he was just a really nice guy.