Sold a PC on Ebay, Buyer is asking for refund one month later and has admitted to modifying hardware.

[Davehaslanded]

So short story; I built a PC from parts i had. Sold it on eBay, tested, working fine. Guy has had it a month. Started a case claiming it had stopped working. Apparently it crashes and hangs. He's mentioned he installed a 3rd party GPU in the PC (since removed) thus modifying the hardware. The PC only had a 250w PSU. My assumption is the problem he had was caused by too much power draw, but he's stating its still happening without GPU. I'm thinking he may have overloaded the PSU. He also mentioned that he has repeatedly tried fixing problem by removing Bios battery (no idea why, its an fm2 mobo with a bios reset button)

I refused refund based on the premise he has had it over a month and has mentioned he adjusted the hardware, but Ebay returns policy states that items must not be altered in any way. I'm concerned because a lot of posts suggest that eBay side with buyers 90% of the time. With him admitting installing a GPU and removing bios components, what are my chances? Also got to hope i get an eBay investigator who knows anything about computers. 

[Muz]

So short story; I built a PC from parts i had. Sold it on eBay, tested, working fine. Guy has had it a month. Started a case claiming it had stopped working. Apparently it crashes and hangs. He's mentioned he installed a 3rd party GPU in the PC (since removed) thus modifying the hardware. The PC only had a 250w PSU. My assumption is the problem he had was caused by too much power draw, but he's stating its still happening without GPU. I'm thinking he may have overloaded the PSU. He also mentioned that he has repeatedly tried fixing problem by removing Bios battery (no idea why, its an fm2 mobo with a bios reset button)

I refused refund based on the premise he has had it over a month and has mentioned he adjusted the hardware, but Ebay returns policy states that items must not be altered in any way. I'm concerned because a lot of posts suggest that eBay side with buyers 90% of the time. With him admitting installing a GPU and removing bios components, what are my chances? Also got to hope i get an eBay investigator who knows anything about computers. 

Lots of screenshots etc so you can prove that he admitted it, and you should be fine.

[Luc401]

I mean if he altered the hard ware its not your problem.

[ITServerTech]

Lol typical eBay, don't worry about it hahaha

[Prikk]

I mean, it really was altered.... I would never let that guy refund a system if he messes with it and broke it.

[Davehaslanded]

I rang eBay a week ago explaining that he had installed 3rd party hardware, and she had no idea what i was going on about and he claims installing a gpu in the PCI-e slots its 'fair use' for a PC.

[Oshino Shinobu]

Lol typical eBay, don't worry about it hahaha

He should definitely worry. eBay has a reputation for screwing over sellers in this sort of case, as they massively favour the buyer. 

 

@Davehaslanded if he has changed hardware, you should tell him and eBay that it is in no way your fault, and that the product you sold him was functioning as advertised. 

[Davehaslanded]

He should definitely worry. eBay has a reputation for screwing over sellers in this sort of case, as they massively favour the buyer. 

 

@Davehaslanded if he has changed hardware, you should tell him and eBay that it is in no way your fault, and that the product you sold him was functioning as advertised. 

He's trying to claim otherwise. 

[kwljunky]

 

 

We can piss through his letterbox if you want? 

[Whorax]

I rang eBay a week ago explaining that he had installed 3rd party hardware, and she had no idea what i was going on about and he claims installing a gpu in the PCI-e slots its 'fair use' for a PC.

And this, is why I will never sell a single thing on ebay.

[Oshino Shinobu]

He's trying to claim otherwise. 

He's saying it's fair use for the PC, right? While it's not something that is dangerous, it is also nothing wrong with the product you sold him. You can also say that you didn't offer any warranty or returns for problems caused later down the line by his own use. 

[ThinkWithPortals]

If he tampered with the hardware, than it's not your fault. That's like buying a phone, then receiving it and ripping it open, then try to send it back because it doesn't work. I've heard eBay sides with the buyer, but I'd take it up with them directly.

[Praesi]

He had it a Month working, than he changed Hardware and now wants his Money back? What a Joke.

[Oshino Shinobu]

And this, is why I will never sell a single thing on ebay.

Selling on eBay is fine if you make the description very clear and specific with this kind of thing. A lot of people just put "This is my PC for sale, here's the specs:" and that's about it. You need to add in specific details and make it very clear that you are not responsible for any issues that occur after the buyer has modified the product, either in software or hardware. 

 

If you don't, eBay is known to take the buyer's side, as it can be argued that it was "unclear" that you wouldn't offer a warranty or support. 

[fringie]

He modified the hardware that's enough reason alone to deny him. Fair use is using the PC only, not changing the parts/removing/adding w.e.

 

Also, I think the refund time limit is a month anyways (assuming it wasn't a fault of the seller).

 

 

Hell, show eBay this thread =p. Probably wont help a lot but it's fairly obvious he doesn't have right to a refund in this case.

[PlayStation 2]

If he brings eBay into this whole mess, you can counterclaim that he modified the hardware.

[Guest]

I'd phone eBay now and explain the situation, and maybe you can give them an insight on the hardware front, rather than trying to have a conversation on screen.

If he brings eBay into this whole mess, you can counterclaim that he modified the hardware.

 

What I'd be most worried about is he's now claiming it's happening even without the GPU installed, so if eBay's claim squad isn't PC savvy, then they might just decide in the buyer's favour. 

[Guest trucker2]

Theres a difference between being an ebay seller and a guy who sold something on ebay. If the former yes I would worry. I think ebay likes it when you just send it and they sell it for you and take 20 percent.

If the later you could tell him you will fix it and then when you get it......................the options for mayham are truly limitless

[Davehaslanded]

On to phone wit eBay at the moment. She sounds positive about my position. But she clearly doesn't really understand the issue. She is looking for a line that says 'Yes i modified the item'. trying to explain to her that admitting to installing a GPU and removing the bios battery is an item alteration.

 

Update: Also tried explaing how this may have damaged power supply and motherboard. The buyer is clearly not PC savvy. 

[Kirya]

I think if you explain clearly as stated in this post, you shouldn't have any problem !

[KE2012]

See if you can find out more about what GPU he put in the PC, and see what its power draw is compared to the PSU you sent the PC with, if its more, then claim he has done something himself to fuck the pc up, also make sure to send all the links required, e,g the manufacturers site stating the required power draw. 

Good luck in winning the case

[Davehaslanded]

I think if you explain clearly as stated in this post, you shouldn't have any problem !

The problem is in this post i'm explaining to people who have at the very least a loose concept of how a PC works. These call center guys are not from a native english speaking county and have no more idea than your mum or nan. 

[Kirya]

Then good luck and keep us updated !

 

But basically if you have a santence from this guy saying that after changing the GPU the computer stopped working, it's over no ? No need to be linus to understand that right ?

 

Hope you make it !

[cragger89]

All I shall say is, good luck.

 

[Guest]

The problem is in this post i'm explaining to people who have at the very least a loose concept of how a PC works. These call center guys are not from a native english speaking county and have no more idea than your mum or nan. 

 

If they still have no clue, try asking if they'd ask their superior if they could find you someone who at least has some knowledge on computers... Don't let them fuck you over because they don't understand the situation  :lol: