posted on August 14, 2003 05:17:57 PM new
I am NEVER selling computer parts or computers again!
I sold a Toshiba laptop, and included a Port Replicator, that I never even opened, nor tried on my laptop. It was more of an 'extra' in the auction, but it WAS in the ad .....well the total price laptop w/cordless mouse, charger etc AND this docking station went for a total of $127.
The guy got it, says the laptop is fine, but the replicator is for the 100 series, and 'what are we going to do about it'.
I looked them up, and have seen that sellers cannot sell these for $1.99 on eBay. Tried finding them new, can't seem to find it. I think I came to one that was close, and I believe it was $29 new.
Ok Question: what would you do? Refund him back about $29? Just to ship it was $11. and so I pay for shipping back, as it does not seem to work with this laptop I sold him.
I'm at a loss here on what to do.
another I just got was a 56k external modem... the guy says its for a MAC only and was p*ssed. So I told him to send it to me, and then I would refund. (I don't believe it, because it was one of our modems, and we've never owned a Mac) but thats another story!
I just don't know what to do about this situation, give him the going price for a brand new Port Replicator and the shipping?
Any suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks
Art Bell Retired! George Noory is on late night coasttocoastam.com
posted on August 14, 2003 05:47:53 PM new
Many buyers think they are buying stuff at a Walmart store and not an auction. When they see a perfect or near-perfect feedback rating and they think they own the seller.
You can tell the buyer that you're sorry the docking station is the wrong model but sice it was unused and untested by you it's his and others can be had for almost nothing on ebay.
At the least, you have learned to put a disclaimer on untested or used auction items.
-------------- sig file ----------- He who angers you controls you
posted on August 14, 2003 06:27:03 PM new
I'm betting there may be a switcheroo on that modem. This is why everyone needs the blacklight ink to mark anything that can be switched. It's amazing how problems melt away with the words, I'll be happy to refund providing that the widdget is returned with my invisible mark intact.
As for the port thingie, haggle. Certainly don't give him retail. This is eBay. Nothing goes for retail. Especially if you had a picture that showed exactly what he was getting. (this applies to the modem, too)
You have to be firm with a**h***s or they will take advantage.
posted on August 14, 2003 07:04:56 PM new
Near the sea, this probably wont help you now, but in the future you might put some disclaimer in your auctions as to the extent of your refund policies.
Personally, think the guy is pulling one but you are in between a rock and a hard place as you did include it with the auction and I suppose he has a right to expect it to work or fit with that laptop. (Which is a really great price btw!!) Maybe you could tell him that portion of the auction is only valued at 5.99 and would he like that portion of his auction refunded? And you can point him to the others on ebay @ 1.99? (It doesnt sound like its worth refunding and shipping back?)
Well, that is only my suggestion. Maybe Fluffy or Kiara will show up and give you some better wording or a better alternatives.
Sorry, cant be of more help. Sometimes I think people just wait for things like this!
posted on August 14, 2003 09:43:21 PM new
Stopwhining, believe ME I am never selling computer parts again!
Auction Ace, you are so right! and this was my personal laptop.
Dad, wow, that takes NERVE of a buyer, but I have been getting those too!
jensmom, I do think its either a 'switcheroo' or this guy is totally computer stupid!
neroter12 I try to put in auctions like this, to PLEASE email me with any questions you have, but may have to change that to NO Refunds... I've seen that on a lot of auctions!
Here is what he wrote me:
Hi there, I received the computer and the port replicator The computer is in excellent shape. The problem is that the port replicator is not compatible with this computer. It is only compatible with the Satellite 100 series. I would like to know if you have a port replicator that is compatible with the Computer I have
I did write him back , I told him the truth! This was my personal laptop, bought the replicator and never had the time to try it out, and it stayed in the box. I then gave him a link to the replicators that are on ebay, starting at $1.99 and $15 shipping.
I don't know, I looked my auction over and over, and maybe this looks like a 'guarantee'????on the replacator? If you can, this is my auction that he won the laptop. Basically, I think it is for the laptop (yeah I've had people tell me it went low, but hey this is ebay! I know the risks! )
posted on August 14, 2003 10:26:31 PM new
I couldn't see any implied guarantee but for an ebayer with only 2 months under his belt it must have seemed like a return policy was in place by default since most used computer auctions state as is.
I see those docking stations at the flea markets by the bushel and they go for almost nothing. Nobody uses them anyway unless you want to connect to your main PC.
Sorry you got stuck with an expierenced newbie. It's all part of the ebay selling expierence and ongoing learning process I guess.
-------------- sig file ----------- He who angers you controls you
posted on August 15, 2003 05:43:50 AM new
Since the port replicator is featured in the title, the buyer is right in expecting it to work. You should make good one way or the other.
posted on August 15, 2003 05:54:50 AM new
Auctionace, Your advice is the kind of advice that hurts sales on Ebay. If a seller doesn't know what he or she is doing then yes they should offer a refund either full or partial. What ever keeps the customer happy. Disclaimers are a hype. I think all sellers should offer a 100% refund for items to be as described less shipping cost. The less shipping cost stops the bottom feeders from returning the item if they can't sell it in a couple days. If an item is returned to me where I did make a mistake in listing I then refund the entire cost of the item including the shipping.
posted on August 15, 2003 06:07:22 AM new
Wasn't it an honest mistake by the seller? How the heck was he to know the never used port replicator wasn't compatible? The solution could have been to add a phrase like "Auction includes a brand new port replicator that was purchased for this computer but I've never used, this item is being included as a bonus and in no way guaranteed by me" to the auction.
Now you see why so many computer auctions and auctions in general for that fact, have bare minimum descriptions and have no refund clauses stated in several places. The seller is guilty only of being a nice guy.
-------------- sig file ----------- He who angers you controls you
posted on August 15, 2003 09:42:29 AM new
Well, like I said, I did reply to his email, said that I didn't know, since I didn't even try it, bought it, 'assumed' it would with that laptop. (assuming is not good, my bad )
So I sent him to all the Port Replicators New in Box on eBay, and NONE are selling, and completed for even $1.99!
Thats where I am at loss for what to do. He obviously likes the laptop, just looked at his feedback, and he buys laptops, he just bought one the other day, that is LESS (mem./ram ) than the one he got from me.
I think the best thing would be to refund him the shipping that he paid, of course on the replicator, add $5. or something?
12pole, thats what my brother just said, refund the total but get the entire 'package' back. Only thing is, he is happy with the laptop, and sounds like he wants it. Yeah it was a good deal for him.
The one thing I did do, was charge it up, this battery actually holds a charge checked out that all the software mentioned in the ad worked, it all did, including the GPS, and that is basically what *I* used it for!
I dunno, maybe it was the full moon a few days ago, or maybe because Mars is so close?
Art Bell Retired! George Noory is on late night coasttocoastam.com
posted on August 15, 2003 10:09:01 AM new
If he really likes the laptop, he will not want to send back it and the replicator... he therefore has now made the choice for you and in a sense lets you off the hook...
Just tell him it was a package deal and to make it right in your mind you must have the entire package returned and you will then refund.
Don't get into the business of doing half or partial, you are only asking for more trouble.
posted on August 15, 2003 07:44:14 PM new
if the email quoted here is the entire response from the buyer, he didn't ask for a refund. He wants to know if she has one that works with the laptop. wait until you hear from him and then if he mentions a refund, ask him what he thinks is fair. this type of thing happens and if a seller trys to work with the buyer, usually everyone is happy in the end. sometimes you meet up with a real jerk, but that is the minority not the majority.
in this type of sale, i usually say right in my description "widget is added bonus with this sale BUT YOU ARE ONLY BIDDING ON MAIN WIDGED". has always worked for me.
posted on August 15, 2003 08:05:49 PM new
Near, if you see he buys alot of Laptops, then do you conclude he is a reseller?
I agree with twelvepole. If he wants a refund, do the whole thing and relist.
I dont think its worth it to refund plus shipping costs on only the port replicator.
You'll be out what - about 20 dollars on a 127 dollar laptop?
You might even get a better price on it next shot listed. Especially with school starting up.
posted on August 15, 2003 08:17:02 PM new
After looking at his recent wins, all laptops, I am assuming (again) that he doesn't really need docking station,but is a reseller. That or he does have 10 or 12 kids that NEED laptops? LOL!
Well I sent him the options, and IN FACT found a replicator that FITS this particular laptop at work! and here it sits.... and I have not heard back! go figure
Thanks for the help, I'll surely know better next time, well I doubt very much there will be a next time on computers or there parts!
Art Bell Retired! George Noory is on late night coasttocoastam.com
