Won’t be trying that again!

[Steve M]

I’ve recently ‘moved on’ a couple of locos that were gathering dust, via eBay, but have struck a problem not encountered before.

The loco in question was fully tested, serviced and packaged securely before being posted of to a new owner in the USA - ebay even managed to deliver it inside a week.

That’s when I got my first message from the buyer saying that there are ‘bear wires’between loco and tender and that it doesn’t run.
I ask for photos which showed that the ‘bear wires’ is actually the way Dapol sends them out of the factory.

Any way, I asked for it to be returned (not worth arguing) but then find that you can’t buy return postage via eBay anymore and suggested that I send him a separate payment to cover the postage (I will issue a full refund once I have the loco back in line with eBay policy).
But will he actually go along with it, who knows, certainly not so far.

I will have to add the USofA to my list of blocked countries

[RogerB]

Always tricky. You see a lot of eBayers saying they won't send overseas - now I know why.

If it ran though what was his issue?

R-

[Steve M]

He says it didn’t. Gave him the usual suspects to check, dirty track, dislodged blanking plate.

He did say it was his first Dapol loco and tried to assert that the wiring looked bodged even though it was factory standard and a loco I have had from new - so I reckon he just took a dislike to it.

Unfortunately as he claims it is defective, eBay will support him not me. Knowing that is how they work I just want it returned so I can check it myself - but he’s not easy to deal with as you can see.

It’s funny though, over the years I have sold countless items to foreign buyers and never had an issue - but there’s always a first time I guess.

[brian1951]

I stick to UK only now, even on here.

[davey60]

I had a similar problem and did not get the item back and lost the money, ebay always go on the side of a buyer stay within uk only.

[yelrow]

thats all very well but guys like me, in france have never been a prob, and we are now losing out for no fault of our own

[Steve M]

thats all very well but guys like me, in france have never been a prob, and we are now losing out for no fault of our own

Agreed John but it only takes one bad apple............

[brian1951]

Thats life im affraid John, a few can spoil things for a large majority of others, i dont sell on here anymore due to a influx of time wasters.

[Steve M]

It will be interesting to see how this plays out as I don't believe I have acted unfairly or in a detrimental manner.
A chat with eBay 'support' tomorrow I think.

[yelrow]

Core, twernt me. Glad my ebay germany, america, and Italy sellers, dont object to posting. When you sell, can you not see feedback prior to completion. I understand time wasters, but people like me are fiercely proud of our 100% record.