I just wanted to get my recent eBay ordeal off my chest as it's really wound me up! Needless to say it's probably something many Beoworld users have been through before and my wife tells me I'm stupid for still using eBay!

I will refrain from naming the eBay user involved (as much as I'd like to!) 😭 and apologies in advance for the length of my post! 

Basically I've been slimming down the small collection I've built up over the past few years in order to fund the restoration of my Beolab 5000 by Frede, sad to see some bits go (the 70's BeoMaster 2000 for example) but will be worth it in the end.

One item I listed a few weeks ago was a rosewood Beogram 1200 that I'd had for many years but was't fully working. It was listed as parts/not working and was I was explicit about its condition and took many pictures and a video. I specified that I'd prefer the buyer to collect in person but would ship if needed (against my better judgement).

The auction ended and didn't hear from the winner or receive payment. Ok, I thought, they'll get in touch about arranging a convenient date for pick up. Nothing. Nada.

After a week I contacted them again only to be told (in a fairly impolite way) they would come and get it the following week but no day/time given. Again nothing for several days.

After a long weekend I contacted them again to tell them I had no choice but to mark it as an unpaid item if I didn't hear back as I'd already paid the final value fee. Again nothing so I opened an unpaid case against them - no surprise but they then paid up. I politely thanked them and confirmed the courier had been booked and the tracking code.

I packaged the turntable very well (as I'd like to receive it!). I removed the tonearm weight, the stylus/cartridge, the platter (which was wrapped in many layers of bubblewrap) and everything was then double boxed with more bubblewrap and those packing air-bags. Packaged pretty much perfectly.

Next thing I hear was that it had arrived and they complemented me on the packaging! however, they had a couple of issues - firstly they couldn't find the belt (I replied it was tucked in the chassis) and the tonearm rest had snapped off in transit - seemingly by the bubble wrapped platter (it must have been dropped out of a window for that to happen!). 

OK we've all had items that have arrived slightly damaged and how deflating that is for both buyer and seller, so I behaved the way I would want to be treated and offered a full refund on return of the Beogram (and I was confident I could repair the sheared off arm rest) and would just swallow refunding the full amount.

Oddly they replied that they didn't want to return it but wanted a partial refund towards the cost of a repair. Hmmm I thought - non-paying bidder first, now wants money back but keep the item! I started feeling uneasy.

Becoming suspicious I replied I'd prefer to give a full refund on return of the Beogram (they had all the original packaging that they'd complimented me on anyway!).

Finally this morning I receive an unpleasant email from them saying now (after I'd insisted on a return) there were magically MORE problems with the turntable and they will return it packaged 'as best they can', saying how it was badly packaged initially (despite them complimenting me initially?!). All this and and they would be wanting compensating for the cost of returning the item AND a full refund.

This got my goat. 😠

I called eBay and explained the situation. The representative looked over the item case and read through the communications and then told me that ultimately as the item was listed as 'parts or not working' that it wasn't liable to eBays money back guarantee so I didn't have to give a refund OR reimburse the return shipping cost. If the buyer opened a case against me then I could reject it and that was that - also eBay would remove any negative feedback. The rep added notes to my account to surmise our chat.

I've decided not to conduct any further communication with the buyer as I feel it will be both futile and just wind me up even more. If they open a case then so be it.

They've attempted to take me for a mug, having both the item AND part refund. I was honourable in my behaviour but when I didn't give them everything their own way I believe they then fabricated additional damage to strengthen their case and scam me.

Ultimately I will now be wary of eBay and certainly no longer ship ANYTHING.

Please be warned - since I joined eBay in 2001 it has fallen to the mercy of liars, cheats and unscrupulous people - the honest sellers and buyers are ripe for being shafted.

Sorry again for the length of the post but this incident has really aggrieved me!