Dispute with eBay seller?

Question

I bought straighteners from a seller, these were US made and owners manual said specifically that converter cannot be used, thus making item useless. No reason to think this would be an issue and no warning given by seller.

Wrote e-mail to return, seller very snooty and unhelpful, I pursued and the seller told me to use a converter anyway, that there was no reason for me not to – I asked if they could guarantee my safety and warranty – this was a week ago and I have yet to receive a reply.

If I use a converter and the straighteners break can I still bring it into dispute saying as the seller did not inform me of this issue and told me specifically to use a converter anyway?

This is really P'ing me off as I spent a lot of money on something that is totally useless, seller was not at all willing to help...plus I bloody need them so the longer this dispute goes on the longer I go without them.

Patty C

There was no reason for me to think that it wouldn't work within the UK, thus no reason for me to question it. The seller has specifically told me that they ship world-wide so their products can be used internationally, and have specifically told me to ignore the owners manual and use a converter as it is fine to use.

Answer 1

DO NOT USE IT!

First of all, the item CANNOT be used with a converter per the manufacturer's owner's manual - period - end of story. Thank GOD, you actually READ it - you'd be surprised that most people don't! And if you do, not only do you void the warranty, but you risk SERIOUS harm to your person and building, despite what the seller says about "go ahead and use the converter anyway".

The seller CANNOT guarantee safety and warranty - you read the manufacturer's owner's manual. The seller did not manufacture the product. Even if he/she did, the manual states quite clearly that a converter CANNOT be used, therefore, if you go ahead and use one anyway, both the manufacturer and the seller cannot be succussfully sued as you are using the product in a manner not condusive to it's regular use. Like using a waterpik toothbrush to clean out earwax from your ear - just not done.

The seller is misrepresenting the product - selling it all over the world thinking that it can be used everywhere - it cannot.

Contact the seller again, tell them you want to return the straightners and for them to refund you the money back minus the shipping charges.

If they don't respond to your e-mail in a week, then use the Find Contact Information Form
http://search.ebay.com/ws/search/AdvSearch?sofindtype=9

and try to call during business hours if possible or from 8 AM - 9 PM or send a letter CERTIFIED & SIGNATURE REQUIRED mail. If still no contact in one more week, then file an
Item Not Received Or Significantly Not Described dispute.
http://pages.ebay.com/help/tp/inr-snad-process.html

Answer 2

I'm an eBay power seller and will try to give you my perspective from the sellers point of view. If I understand correctly you bought an appliance from a US seller and you must be in a different country that does not use the same electrical current, correct?
If that is the case, I think you need to take some responsibility here. If you were looking at something from an US seller you should have assumed it was a product that would work in the US. If you live in an area which required converters to use US electrical appliances you should have specifically asked the seller before you made the purchase. In other words, it wasn't the sellers responsibility to disclose this. You should have assumed that it wouldn't work, if you need converters for everything else.
Nevertheless, the seller should be reasonable about this as well. If the item is in original condition the seller should be willing to accept it as a return. Any reasonable seller would do this. It sounds like you've opened the package in order to read the owners manual. Why don't you try asking the seller to accept the opened merchandise at a reduced return price - say 80%, minus the postage. That way you get something back and the seller can re-sell it, even though they'll have to sell at t lower price.
The other option for you is to resell it on ebay yourself.
As a buyer, the things that you can file a dispute over are not getting the item or getting an item that was misrepresented. I don't think in this case the item was misrepresented since the seller didn't claim it would work anywhere.
Your best bet in getting what you want from an eBay buyer or seller is to just be honest and kind. Threats, name-calling, accusatory statements and downright meanness won't get you anywhere. Write the seller and say "I made a mistake and purchased something that I can not use. I would like to return the item for a refund, minus postage. Since I've opened the item I do not expect a fully refund. Would you be willing to accept this as a return for 80% of the selling price in exchange for glowing feedback and my deep appreciateion?" As a seller, that is a reasonable request that most would say yes to. I really hope this works out well for you in the long run. And I hope I understood your story correctly, otherwise everything I've said is off base. If you would like me to look at the transaction I will, you may email me at [e-mail]

Answer 3

I'm at my 2nd dispute with Paypal in 1 month. The last one is for a radio clock ipod docking thing that i bought from the U.S as well. I also paid lots of money for it, including VAT and courier fees in the UK (which i wasn't aware of). To top it up, none of the lights work so i'm left with a product that's half functional. A UK customer adviser for that product brand told me that i might have blown the product just by plugging it into a UK plug due to different voltage. Anyway, i've opened a claim with Paypal since, unlike you, the seller was just ignoring my emails. Now it looks like the seller 'doesn't agree' with my claim and i don't have much faith in Paypal anymore. To be honest with you, i think i might stop using Ebay, too many problems lately and Paypal does not help at all. Maybe that'll teach us a lesson :)

Answer 4

I would email the seller again and say that you are not happy this was not stated in the item description and that unless the let you return the item in its original condition for a refund then you will have to go through Ebay to establish if they should have mentioned in the item description that they could not be used in the UK. That should speed them up to give you a response.

Answer 5

You are best to try & resolve with the seller if possible.Try asking if they wil accept responsibility for your safety & GUARANTEE that the straighteners will not be adversly affected by using a transformer. You could also point out that using a transformer will invalidate your product guarantee from the manufacturer as this is expressly against manufacturers instructions. If you paid with paypal & they have to sort this out the fee is £15 OF YOUR CASH which is deducted from the price paid. Personally I think the party at fault should be liable for the fee but then I also think you should be entitled to a refund. Hope this helps

Answer 6

Hiya!Well if i were you i'd try to reclaim money back,if you paid by paypal,they should rule in your favour as the item wasn't as discribed in the auction,if you paid by any other way,you really can't do much about it!Try asking on the q + a section on the discussion boards in the community bit,many of the people who answer have been there since time began and can probably help more than i can!Don't use a convertor if it says not to,is probably why they were for sale in the 1st place!Good luck!

Answer 7

File claim with Paypal and Ebay, I've had loads of help from Paypal before in a similiar situation, if this does'nt work sell them on Ebay to someone in the US who can use them.

Answer 8

I would just tell them you want your money back. They will probably make you pay for returning the goods to them. Make sure you get in writing they will refund you. Good luck and use ebay dispute page if necessary. Of course there is always negative feedback too but if you leave it for them they will probably do the same for you too...

Answer 9

Because the item isnt any good to you and could be dangerous for your safety, this item has been advertised wrongly this link will help you, also if you paid through paypal you can get a refund, paypal will do this for you but the link below will help you get the ball rolling...good luck, ebay will help you,good luck

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/tp/inr-snad-process.html

Answer 10

just report them and claim the money back with paypal