Help! Ebay problem.

[TikiGoddess2006]

I sold a used digital camera dock to a buyer last week. Included in the package was the actual dock, all the chords, instructions, and rechargeable batteries. Well, at least I THOUGHT they were rechargeables. Got an email from the buyer today saying he put the batteries in his camera, put the camera on the dock to charge, and his camera started to heat up after about 2 minutes. Turns out the batteries WEREN'T rechargeables as I thought. My mistake.

Now his camera won't turn on. He is asking me to replace his camera and wants to return the camera dock. He says he bought the camera for $349 about two years ago and says he understands it has depreciated since then.

I can understand his point of view. In the auction I listed them as rechargeable batteries. Does anyone know how I go about fixing this problem? How much of this am I liable for? Is there an eBay process I need to go through? I looked on the ebay website but can't find anything for this specific problem.

I'd like to resolve this and do the 'right' thing, but also want to make sure to protect myself.

TikiG

 

[eclectics]

Maybe the camera can be repaired? I would go to your local camera store and explain the problem to them. Maybe they can offer advice. Not sure about the "legal" aspect and what the ebay rules are. I would go to the "Safe Harbor" section and try to email someone at ebay who can explain their policy and maybe tell you what action to take. Good luck. I hope it turns out well.

 

[LadyyRedd]

One thing I would do, if you replace it or give him money for it, is make sure he sends you the "damaged" one. I'm not saying that he's being dishonest, but so many people out there are and he could've noticed that the batteries weren't rechargeable but didn't actually put them in and is just scamming you.

In all honesty though - I'm not sure how you could be held liable because there's no guarantee that it good ruined because of your batteries.

Not saying don't investigate, just proceed with caution.

Kimya

 

[bicker]

As Kimya indicated, "trust but verify". But beyond that, think about what you would want a seller to do for you if the seller promised you rechargeables, and then because of the error the camera got ruined. What would you want the seller to do for you? I think replacing the camera (and getting the old one) would be appropriate.

 

[inaminute]

Wait a minute. Where is the responsibility of the buyer to check his merchandise before using it? In the case of electronic devices, I always check--even new merchandise--to ensure I received what I paid for. I would offer to take back the dock and refund his money when you receive it. I don't see how you're responsible for his not examining his purchase.

 

[DisneyGirl]

Are you sure you made a mistake? If the batteries were NOT rechargeable, that still wouldn't be cause for the camera to burn up... that just doesn't make sense. The batteries might not recharge, they may even leak in the recharger... but they wouldn't burn up the camera.

...This is actually a common scam on E-bay-- the buyer tells the seller there is something wrong with the product. He might just be trying to get something for free.

 

[EthansMom]

I don't EBAY, but here is what I would do:

I would offer the buyer a refund for the docking station, batteries and everything you sold him after he has returned those items to you, at his expense. Once you've verified that the batteries are the same ones you sent and aren't rechargeable, you will consider a reasonable payment for his camera, in which case he would need to ship the damaged camera to you before you pay for it (after all, you would be purchasing the damaged camera from him).

So, along these lines:

1) Buyer pays to ship items he bought back to you.
2) You verify that they are the items you sold and that the batteries are non-rechargeable and refund the selling price of these items to the buyer.
3) If the items returned are not yours originals or if the batteries are rechargeable, you tell the buyer you will not compensate for the camera.
4) If the items are your originals and the batteries are non-rechargeable, you will pay the buyer a reasonable depreciated value (maybe $100 + shipping for camera and docking station you originally sold) upon your reciept of the broken camera. Also, I would verify the going price for the camera two years ago when making an offer of depreciated value.

If the buyer is trying to run a scam, he won't have non-rechargeable batteries and a broken camera to send to you.