Auctioned item not as described - consequences?
Summary: noameie_51 shared a concern about winning a bid for a supposedly new Thermomix TM6, which appears used based on images showing scratches and signs of wear. goldeifel advised checking eBay's rules for bid retraction and suggested inspecting items thoroughly before bidding. petersmodellbahnstuebchen clarified that eBay's Buyer Protection applies to private sellers for items not as described, while perfect-sally recommended contacting the seller for bid cancellation and confirmed the possibility of returning the item if it doesn't match the description.
Hello everyone,
we are currently the highest bidders on a Thermomix TM6, which according to the seller’s description and also after asking by message
is supposed to be completely new and unused. However, upon closer inspection of the product photos, we have now noticed that there are apparently some
scratches on the housing as well as signs of use in the bowl - so the device has already been used once (or several times)
contrary to the statement.
We can’t withdraw our bid and probably won’t be outbid either. The eBay customer service AI assistant is no help.
Can we file a complaint with eBay about the item’s incorrect condition after winning the auction and receiving it in the worst case?
VG
petersmodellbahnstuebchen
·3 weeks agoHi @noameie_51 ,
if the item doesn’t match the description, the Ebay buyer protection applies. Then, after receiving and checking the item, you can open a case for an item that does not match the description.
Best wishes from the Baltic Sea
Peter
goldeifel
·3 weeks agoGood morning @noameie_51 ,
However, this can only be judged properly if you know the item in question; adding the item number would be helpful for specific assistance from a mentor or staff member here.
As far as I know, it is indeed possible to withdraw a bid, provided you have a valid reason.:
"An eBay bid is generally binding and can only be canceled in exceptional cases (such as a typo in the amount or a subsequent, drastic change to the item description by the seller) and up to one hour before the end of the auction via the official eBay help page for withdrawing a bid canceled. [1, 2, 3]
Requirements for withdrawal
Input error: You made a typo in your maximum bid (e.g. €500 instead of €50).
Change to the description: The seller has significantly changed the item description after your bid.
Time window: There are still more than 60 minutes left until the auction ends. If there is less time than that, all that helps is contacting the seller directly. [1, 2, 3]
Steps to withdraw
Open the official eBay help page for withdrawing a bid and log in.
Click the bid withdrawal button there.
Enter the item number and a valid reason for the withdrawal. [1, 2]
Here is the "guide" that Google "spat out".
Hot tip for future purchase requests:
Before placing a bid look at and read EVERYTHING carefully, and if necessary ask the seller. You should take the time for that; it saves both sides a lot of effort and time.
If the above-mentioned options for canceling a bid are no longer possible, the only thing left is: complete the purchase process as normal, check the goods immediately after receipt, and if necessary make a complaint.
A complaint / return is also only possible with commercial sellers.
If it is a private seller, it looks a bit different.
petersmodellbahnstuebchen
·3 weeks agoHi @goldeifel
small correction:
"Complaints / returns are only possible with GVK."
eBay buyer protection also applies to private sellers. Only the right of withdrawal applies exclusively to commercial sellers.
Best regards from the Baltic Sea
Peter
goldeifel
·3 weeks agoHello @petersmodellbahnstuebchen ,
thanks for the heads-up, I phrased it wrong, sorry.
Regards back 👋
perfect-sally
·3 weeks agoI don’t really see a reason for retracting a bid here, since the thread starter apparently didn’t look at the item or the pictures properly before bidding.
At most, you could message the seller, explain the situation, and ask them to cancel the bid, and then the bidder wouldn’t face any possible disadvantages either
as far as bid retraction is concerned.
If that doesn’t work, of course you can return the item if it doesn’t match the description, and the seller will also pay for return shipping.
Sure, that’s not exactly ideal from the buyer’s point of view, but if you want to act correctly and in line with eBay rules, there isn’t much room to maneuver here.
lidor3073
·3 weeks agoHe had apparently asked about it and the seller confirmed the above. ONLY THEN did he look at the pictures more closely again. That's how I read it. What do you do in a case like that?