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Warranty claim - seller is being difficult.
Summary: bathg_de reports a problem with an e-bike that may have engine damage. Although a video shows the damage, the seller claims the noise comes from the tire rubbing and refuses a refund. bathg_de wants a partial refund to avoid having to send it back, since assembling the bike took a lot of time and the packaging has already been thrown away. perfect-sally and another participant advise using buyer protection and opening a return if the seller does not cooperate. The possibility of enforcing the warranty in court is also mentioned.
Hello everyone,
I have the following problem. I bought an e-bike that obviously has a motor defect.
The seller asked for a video of it, which I also sent him. First he writes that there really is a defect, but five minutes later he wants to tell me that only the tire is rubbing against the mudguard.
I explained to him that the noise stops when I switch off the motor. By the way, it sounds like a circular saw and is also very loud.
Besides, I can recognize a rubbing tire when I hear one.
The seller thinks that my demand for a 10% refund is excessive and that I have to pay for return shipping myself.
What can I do? It is definitely a warranty case and he has to repair it or refund me, or doesn't he?
Best, Sam
perfect-sally
Mentor3 weeks agoYou mean a warranty claim! Sellers don’t give a guarantee; only the manufacturer does that.
meinehexe11
Mentor3 weeks agoHi, hi.
When did you buy the e-bike?
bathg_de
OP3 weeks agoPurchased on 30.06.26 - it was delivered on Monday 13.07.26. I haven't ridden it 30 km yet.
perfect-sally
Mentor3 weeks agoWell then you still have buyer protection after all! Open a return with the reason that the item is not as described and that’s it. The seller has to pay for the return shipping and refund you.
bathg_de
OP3 weeks agoYes, that’s basically right, but I don’t want to have to send it back. It took half a day to put the thing together. Then everything has to be taken apart again. It came via freight carrier and I had to get rid of the huge box because I couldn’t store it anywhere.
Unfortunately I couldn’t afford an e-bike from a local dealer, otherwise I wouldn’t have bought it online. I could live with having to switch off the motor from time to time.
I just want a partial refund, but unfortunately I can’t select that, or report my problem directly to eBay.
perfect-sally
Mentor3 weeks agoYou won't get anywhere without opening a return and then you get nothing! If you don't open a return, buyer protection doesn't apply either.
The seller could offer you a partial refund within the return, but doesn't have to.
So you have no other option, unless you enforce your warranty outside of that with the help of a lawyer.
bathg_de
OP3 weeks agoOk, then I'll do it that way. I had offered the seller to refund me 10%, he thought that was excessive.
petersmodellbahnstuebchen
Mentor3 weeks agoHi @bathg_de
Overall, I don’t understand your statements here. If you only wanted a partial refund, let the seller know again.
If he digs in his heels, you have no choice but to open the case and send it back. The seller has to pay for the return shipping.
As for the packaging you’ve already thrown away, that’s your problem and you need to dispose of suitable packaging. You simply keep shipping packaging at least until you’ve thoroughly tested the item.
Best regards from the Baltic Sea
Peter
bathg_de
OP3 weeks agoYes, normally I keep all the packaging, but this box had a bicycle in it; it was so big that I couldn't store it in my small apartment.