Help! First sale gone wrong :(

[Miscka]

I recently sold my DSLR on eBay. I listed it for a week at a BIN price, then re-listed it as an auction with a BIN as well. The guy who bought it messaged me and asked if I would take a lower price than the BIN, but higher than the starting bid, and I accepted. I mailed it UPS, packing it very carefully. Now, he says it does not work. I KNOW it worked when I sent it, what do I do? Also, I think he is a camera reseller, as that is what he primarily sells. Ugh I am so upset!

[denimbarks]

Did you make note of the serial number before shipping it? If he files with Paypal or eBay he will most likely be allowed to return it. You just want to make sure you're getting the same camera back if/when he does.

Has he said what he wants to do about it?

[Miscka]

He said he wants to return it if it doesn't work after he resets it. I guess I am ok with that, but I am just bummed if it really is broken. It worked when it left here, can I file with UPS?

[denimbarks]

Did you insure it for the amount it sold for? (I'm not sure if/how much insurance you get automatically from UPS.) You could certainly file, but who knows what they'll do. It sounds like the buyer knows what he's doing, so maybe he can tell you if something was physically broken on it. If you file, you don't want him to ship it back to you. You'll want UPS to go to him and pick up the camera and the packaging. Ask the buyer to hang onto the packaging just in case.

I hope the reset does the trick though!

[denimbarks]

Did he say how it doesn't work? Does it just not power on, or is there another problem?

[Miscka]

He said: does not work you take a picture and when it plays back it flashes a negatives and sometime it show and when the picture do come up its so light you barely can see the picture

Also, I *think* it is insured, I put the amount it sold for in to the UPS/paypal thingy. Argh.

Thank you so much for your replies :)

[new.old.bag]

Not much you can do. Just reply back politely that you will be happy to take a refund once you receive the item back and verify the serial number against some of the paperwork you still have from the item.

Make SURE you mention the part about the serial number. The switcheroo is a very common scam and if you say you have original paperwork (even if you don't), if this is a switcheroo, it will likely go away.

ETA: Someone did this to me once. As soon as I mentioned serial number, I never heard from them again.

[Miscka]

Oh! Thank you so much! That is a GREAT idea. I actually registered the product, so I have the serial number somewhere. THANKS!!!

Another fishy thing, when he replied he used the wrong model number. Hmmm.

[kristinmcd]

Great call. Scammers do not like to get caught, so make sure that you are proactive.

Keep us posted!

[Miscka]

Ugh I heard back. Here is what he said:
OK. i will be returning the camera,i am a honest seller and i have no intentions of deceiving you, i buy a lot of cameras, i bought 3 the nite i bought this one, i buy and sell, but i can not sell this camera, and my feedbacks will tell you tyhe kind of buyer and seller i am. i will be send ing your camera back PRIORITY in the morning, with signature confirmation and INSURANCE, please send your paypal address

[luvtami]

Don't stress out too much Miscka -- assuming the buyer send you back your exact same camera, you can just relist it and in your new listing mention the playback/lighting issue.

I sold a broken camera once (fully disclosed and included a scan of the $400 repair bill estimate given to me by a camera shop), and even in its broken state, it still sold for $200. Some people like to buy broken cameras and fix them up -- and actually, your issue doesn't sound incredibly serious. My camera wouldn't even turn on!

[deekai]

You do not need to send him your PP address. He can find it through his paid column. You will be refunding through the same one he paid with.

I always distrust people who tell you they are honest. When you are honest, you just assume that people know that because of how you do things, so you don't need to tell them you are.

[abbiesmommy]

Was this item insured? You need to find that out as you could possibly file a claim for the postal service damaging the item.Sadly with electronic items it is very hard to prove they do work,sorry this has happend to you.

[Miscka]

It was sent UPS.

I wondered that about him asking my paypal address.

Also, he bought the SAME camera as mine from someone else that day, I just checked his feedback.

[abbiesmommy]

Originally Posted by deekai

You do not need to send him your PP address. He can find it through his paid column. You will be refunding through the same one he paid with. I always distrust people who tell you they are honest. When you are honest, you just assume that people know that because of how you do things, so you don't need to tell them you are.

Just go ahead with the return,give him your addrees and be as nice as you can.If not he will just file a dispute and you will have to take it back, now you have a upset buyer leaving you a neg--if you do not work with him...Just do what you can and then resell with the issues pointed out,great idea -- luvtami...