Gumtree Buyer Wants Refund

waterbottled on 31/07/2020 - 18:14

Ozbargain's favourite topic, here we go!

We purchased a brand new packing machine on ebay last month, but we didn't need it anymore (still new and unopened), so instead of returning it to the ebay seller (which would've been subject to 15% restocking fee and return shipping costs borne by us), we listed it on gumtree.

The gumtree description included a generic picture of the machine we took from the ebay listing, and a generic description about the product. Importantly, we stated it was brand new and sealed.

We received a call from the buyer who was interested in purchasing it. They ran a business in another state and said they could get a courier they contracted to pick it up from our address to their company free (so we didn't have to pay any shipping fee). We accepted, so they deposited the money into our bank account. They picked it up the next day, and that was the end of that…

Fast forward 1 week later to yesterday, they texted claiming the machine was faulty and they want a refund, and that they will be sending the machine back to us. We told them it was a private sale on gumtree and we never offered nor agreed on a refund policy, so we won't be refunding them, and that they should not send it back to us because we won't give them a refund even if we receive it.

However we did tell the buyer that we are willing to talk with the original ebay seller to see whether they can refund us (in full) the money for the allegedly faulty machine, and if we successfully receive the refund, we would refund the buyer the money if they send the faulty machine to the ebay seller.

The ebay seller asked to see video evidence proving the machine is faulty. We asked the buyer to send video evidence showing its faulty (repeatedly) but they repeatedly refused to send a video citing they don't want to because the machine is packed up already and that it took hours to repack and so they didn't want to unpack it and repack it again. We kept insisting the we and the ebay seller needs video proof but they ignore the request. Instead, they start going on about taking us to ACCC and xcat, and we reiterated it was a private sale so we can't refund it and that we are still willing to help if they send us the video and we can maybe get a refund from the ebay seller. They kept ignoring and said they'll take this to ebay which we don't understand because the transaction was on gumtree.

What should we do? I'm inclined to ignore the buyer now because they're clearly not understanding that:
1. It was a private sale
2. We are willing to help (out of goodwill) if they send the video proof, but they're refusing to send the video

General Discussion

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Comments

  • andyken on 02/08/2020 - 12:22

    Don't worry, there is no such thing of warranty if you buy stuff from gumtree especially from private listing. Just write back there is no warranty on the listing, stop contact me as and do whatever you need to do that necessary.

  • justaperson on 02/08/2020 - 13:02
    +3

    I reckon they've likely swapped it with their own faulty machine which is the same model and are now trying to return their junk to you.

  • HKS on 02/08/2020 - 13:11
    +1

    if its a private sale then never take back an item thats already been purchased. if i sell stuff on marketplace, etc and they demand a refund with a dumb excuse i tell them im keeping 50% of their money for wasting my time.

  • capslock janitor on 02/08/2020 - 15:12
    -1

    I believe that you can get more information here: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/josh-frydenberg-…. Although I am not very familiar with the ATO's recent regulations, I believe that the economic support payment is for Residents only (born and raised in OZ). As a Non-resident, you may apply to deduct your superannuation earlier (which cannot be done by Residents, they can only claim it once they retire, but if you've been on a work and travel program, for example, you could claim your superannuation on an earlier stage of your career). The problem is that the fund you're using (be it CBus, Sun, etc.) is deducting monthly fees for simply keeping your account active, which causes your superannuation refund to get lesser with each passing month. That is why I can only advise you to prepare your tax application (it is not too late, even for the 2018 filing) and get as much refund of it as you can. That way you'd also have clear tax records with the ATO and (if Resident) would have a bigger chance to be considered eligible for the stimulus payment (note: to check for your eligibility, you can use the link from above). Apologies if my comment is too long or confusing. Let me know if you need me to explain anything in further details. Cheers

    capslock janitor on 02/08/2020 - 15:12 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • kerfuffle on 02/08/2020 - 15:38
      +2

      Wrong thread? Not sure what Gumtree refunds have to do with tax and super

    • CocaKoala on 02/08/2020 - 17:08
      +3

      Apologies if my comment is too long or confusing.

      Umm, apologies accepted.

  • markathome on 02/08/2020 - 15:19

    Wait for the video proof. It's not an unreasonable request of your's (nor the ebay seller's). Also poll.

  • CocaKoala on 02/08/2020 - 17:08

    It doesn't matter that the buyer had packed the item because you hadn't asked them to do so. You were being reasonable in asking for a video of the fault to liaise with your seller for a refund, but you can't do anything if the buyer won't provide it to you.

    If the item arrives, assuming it's not too much trouble, I'd personally examine to see if there's a fault and will video and send it to the original seller. If I received a refund, I will pass it onto the buyer, minus any shipping fees that I may incur. This is just me though.

    • Mechz on 03/08/2020 - 09:27

      Minus $450 per hour charge for labour unpacking, testing, repacking and shipping to the vendor.

      It's a big machine so will take more than one person and lots of time.

  • leiiv on 02/08/2020 - 21:17

    Just tell them to claim manufacturer warranty by themself and provide them with original eBay receipt.

  • NotOnThePBS on 02/08/2020 - 21:52

    Ignore

  • badg3rz on 03/08/2020 - 08:50
    +4

    I'm sure they used it for what they wanted it for, finished with it, now returning it and want their money back. Simple.

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