RetroPCCupboard wrote on 2025-01-21, 08:06:

On the subject of feedback, if a seller sells a non-functional item as "used" rather than "for parts or not working" but the description simply says "untested". What would you say if they refused to refund you, because they say that the description didn't say its works? The definition of "used" on ebay, means that it should be fully functional right? The fact they didn't test it before shipping is irrelevant?

I would avoid buying from this seller but yes, according to ebay if it's used it means it works. Other than that always treat untested stuff as non working.
If you open a claim ebay will probably refund.

Seller is at fault for negligence and conflicting information as to the condition. The eBay condition category takes precedence over supplementary text burred in the description.

RetroPCCupboard wrote on 2025-01-21, 08:06:

On the subject of feedback, if a seller sells a non-functional item as "used" rather than "for parts or not working" but the description simply says "untested". What would you say if they refused to refund you, because they say that the description didn't say its works? The definition of "used" on ebay, means that it should be fully functional right? The fact they didn't test it before shipping is irrelevant?

About other places I dont know, but in the UK if I buy an item thinking it is working because the description leads me to believe that it is and it arrives and it doesnt work as intended then you can get a refund for return.

UK buyers have a statutory rights that cant be removed by ebay rules.

feipoa wrote on 2024-02-23, 08:31:

I bought a few memory modules which were advertised as "new". When I received them, the IC's had several worn off part numbers and a complete mix and match of datecodes.

After buying almost 500 items on Ebay over the years, one thing I learned is that leaving negative feedback, as a way to warn other buyers to stay away from unscrupulous sellers, is useless for all the reasons many of you have already pointed in this thread (the main one being that Ebay gains nothing from having bad sellers penalized). Out of the very few negative feedbacks I left over the years (in cases where the seller did something wrong and refused to address the problem) all of them were eventually removed. I think the only cases where negative feedback stays, is if the seller doesn't care and doesn't bother to contact Ebay to have it removed.

My latest experience was buying a vintage Microsoft Intellimouse that was listed as "new", but that clearly wasn't (use marks no visible on the listing images). When I complained with the seller (936katz), he not only refused to address the problem, but even went on to imply that if I left a negative review it would be easily removed (which it was).

So, my policy today? I no longer leave any type of seller feedback whatsoever (Ebay or Amazon)... If all my criticism is easily removed and the only type of feedback I can actually leave is of the positive type, then that makes ALL of my feedback worthless and a waste of time (both for myself and for other buyers who would otherwise benefit from knowing about my negative experience).

I think eBay should return to the feedback system they had in place in the late 90's and early 2000's - which was, no feedback can be removed, only augmented.