Selling on Ebay...Help/Advice

[egan21]

So I've just made my first transaction as a seller on Ebay. I sold a very nice dell computer that was a couple years old. Brand new the computer was close to $4,000 and since I never used it I let it go and the final bid was a little over $1,500. This computer was in great shape and it still even had some plastic coverings on it from when I bought it, it was barely used and practically new.

After the auction end, they buyer paid immediately, being my first time selling I wanted to make sure I did things promptly so I got the computer out and made sure all of my private information was erased and all of the settings were set back to default. I then tested the features (webcam, dongles, speakers, and everything just to double check) I then took the computer in it's case to the UPS store and had the computer packed very nicely and ready to go (It cost me $95 for packing and shipping).

Once I shipped the computer I notified the buyer and he replied with a request to call him as he had a few questions about the computer. So I called and we talked about the computer, the features and all it was a very easy and pleasant conversation. From there I waited for it to arrive, it took 6 days to get to him which is normal.

2 days after the computer was delivered and signed for the buyer calls me to say the computer is not working. I asked if there was a problem with shipping, he said no it was packaged very well but it was very cold when he unpackaged it. So I asked him to explain and he said he powered the computer on just fine and he was setting up his speakers (He's a DJ) and wiring his system, he then tried to hook it up to the internet and he said the screen went black on him and he was unable to get it to work since then. He said the computer powers on but the screen won't show a display.

I told him he should unplug everything and reset the computer and to be sure there is enough power charged to the battery as this machine is a power hog. He was going to do so and let me know the next day. He calls me back and still no luck, now he wants to return the computer and get a full refund.

I am unsure what to do. I know the computer was in perfect working condition when I sent it to him. It was practically new and I double checked the computer before I sent it and everything was in top notch working order.

He believes I sent him a dead computer, which is not the case at all.
To me, it seem it seems like he has shorted something out or has screwed the computer up in some shape or form while trying to hook all of his DJ gear and speakers to the computer.

Now he is trying to send me a non working computer back to me while getting a full refund.

My questions for you are;

What would you do?

If he goes to ebay or paypal saying I sent him a bad computer, how do I defend or prove otherwise?

What are your thoughts?

I scared that if I refund him the money and he did screw up the computer I will be stuck with a dead computer and out a bunch of money considering what I paid for the computer initially.

I've also thought about messaging him on ebay re-stating what he talked about on the phone so I have evidence of him saying he was able to power and boot the system initially.
But, he could very easily say that it never powered on, so idk...

Anyway, so for the long story but I really do not know what to do here as I feel I am not a fault for the computer not working.

Thanks for your time and advice.

[patriot839]

I sell on ebay consistantly and you did the right thing he damaged the computer by putting power to it when it was ice cold he may just need a new monitor. Did you offer insurance? Whatever you do do not volentarily give his money back no refunds he received what you listed no refunds

[dfuser10332]

So I've just made my first transaction as a seller on Ebay. I sold a very nice dell computer that was a couple years old. Brand new the computer was close to $4,000 and since I never used it I let it go and the final bid was a little over $1,500. This computer was in great shape and it still even had some plastic coverings on it from when I bought it, it was barely used and practically new.

After the auction end, they buyer paid immediately, being my first time selling I wanted to make sure I did things promptly so I got the computer out and made sure all of my private information was erased and all of the settings were set back to default. I then tested the features (webcam, dongles, speakers, and everything just to double check) I then took the computer in it's case to the UPS store and had the computer packed very nicely and ready to go (It cost me $95 for packing and shipping).

Once I shipped the computer I notified the buyer and he replied with a request to call him as he had a few questions about the computer. So I called and we talked about the computer, the features and all it was a very easy and pleasant conversation. From there I waited for it to arrive, it took 6 days to get to him which is normal.

2 days after the computer was delivered and signed for the buyer calls me to say the computer is not working. I asked if there was a problem with shipping, he said no it was packaged very well but it was very cold when he unpackaged it. So I asked him to explain and he said he powered the computer on just fine and he was setting up his speakers (He's a DJ) and wiring his system, he then tried to hook it up to the internet and he said the screen went black on him and he was unable to get it to work since then. He said the computer powers on but the screen won't show a display.

I told him he should unplug everything and reset the computer and to be sure there is enough power charged to the battery as this machine is a power hog. He was going to do so and let me know the next day. He calls me back and still no luck, now he wants to return the computer and get a full refund.

I am unsure what to do. I know the computer was in perfect working condition when I sent it to him. It was practically new and I double checked the computer before I sent it and everything was in top notch working order.

He believes I sent him a dead computer, which is not the case at all.
To me, it seem it seems like he has shorted something out or has screwed the computer up in some shape or form while trying to hook all of his DJ gear and speakers to the computer.

Now he is trying to send me a non working computer back to me while getting a full refund.

My questions for you are;

What would you do?

If he goes to ebay or paypal saying I sent him a bad computer, how do I defend or prove otherwise?

What are your thoughts?

I scared that if I refund him the money and he did screw up the computer I will be stuck with a dead computer and out a bunch of money considering what I paid for the computer initially.

I've also thought about messaging him on ebay re-stating what he talked about on the phone so I have evidence of him saying he was able to power and boot the system initially.
But, he could very easily say that it never powered on, so idk...

Anyway, so for the long story but I really do not know what to do here as I feel I am not a fault for the computer not working.

Thanks for your time and advice.

If you're planning on being a seller at all on eBay you really have no choice but to refund the money, lick your wounds, and pray that this guy doesn't know how to plug in a computer.

Having bad feedback as a seller with just 1 sale is a killer reputation. I know they've made it a little tougher to find out what the negative feedback is but just having it on there would be bad enough.

[patriot839]

If the guy does open a case with ebay or paypal they will ask for both sides of the story just tell the truth and you should be fine if ebay decides in your favor they will not allow him to leave neg. Feedback you will be ok just stick to your guns and be honest

[sam5828]

Well first of all did you offer any tipe of warranty with the guy? if not he is stuck. but if ya want tell him to ship it back to you or take it somewhere to get it looked at and you can talk to the people yourself to find out the problem. and you either may or may not help him in the cost of fixing it depending on what the problem was.

[drivinfocused]

the computer was cold and he turned it on, could've blown the monitor. did you tell him to try a different monitor to see if that fixed it? like others have said, have him take it to a shop (reputible) check with BBB and find one in his area, or a best buy, circuit city, and what not. have that shop call YOU first and find out what it is... and talk to them directly, not thru him or thru an email...

[egan21]

Thanks for the reply.

Would it be a good idea to send him a message on ebay covering what we already talked about on the phone?

In the ebay listing I said it would not be dead on arrival and no returns accepted.

[MinConst]

Thanks for the reply.

Would it be a good idea to send him a message on ebay covering what we already talked about on the phone?

In the ebay listing I said it would not be dead on arrival and no returns accepted.

IF you stated this in your listing you don't have to refund his money. You said he told you it did power up and worked until he hooked up his equipment. So it was not DOA, and probably was just fine. Just be prepared with the facts and you should be fine with both eBay and PayPal. Be honest with both.

[pyro6128]

If you just talked to him on the phone, what you need to do is send him a message or email asking him to describe everything again so you can assess the problem. The point of this is that it would be good to have documented proof that not only did you attempt to talk about the issue, but also it documents what he did on his end. So if it ever became a bigger problem, you have proof that he tried to put power to it when it was cold and ended up shorting it out. Otherwise its simply your word against his. Ebay favors the buyer far beyond the seller. As a seller its rough for us out there, but you can't just be a push over either.

edit, plus you said no refunds accepted, so you don't have to. Although I must say, the no refunds accepted does look a tad bad

[egan21]

Thanks for the reply.

Would it be a good idea to send him a message on ebay covering what we already talked about on the phone?

In the ebay listing I said it would not be dead on arrival and no returns accepted.

IF you stated this in your listing you don't have to refund his money. You said he told you it did power up and worked until he hooked up his equipment. So it was not DOA, and probably was just fine. Just be prepared with the facts and you should be fine with both eBay and PayPal. Be honest with both.

I know this is true but the fact that we had the discussion over the phone means nothing to ebay, it's basically my word versus his and ebay usually sides with the buyer. Unless, he agreed through ebay messaging that it did boot initially.

What do you think?