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How does one deal with a mis-listed iPhone on eBay?

uid15

uid15

Suspended
Original poster
Mar 9, 2015
1,186
637
I recently searched for an iPhone 4S, and bought this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261802184624?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT


Listing title: "iPhone 4S"

Listing specs and description: "iPhone 4S"



ONE partial half-sentence at the bottom, says "Iphone 4", but based upon the overwhelming evidence of it being a 4S, due to the TITLE saying it is, and the extended details saying it is... I expected it to be, but then the seller, upon me contacting them to make sure, says "Oh, sorry - I sent you an iPhone 4 - apologies for the small mistake". "SMALL" mistake? Seller evidently doesn't understand the significance of the "S" appended to iPhone models, and seems rather indifferent, implying I should search properly and research more thoroughly before buying. I am not annoyed so much with the fact it's a 4, I am annoyed that they're implying that is MY fault, when THEY have mis-listed the item.

What would you do? They've offered to send me return shipping costs, but I replied that I'd accept the iPhone 4, but with a £30 partial refund.

Some people are incompetent when it comes to dealing with, describing and selling technology stock, and should steer well clear, I think.

Thank you.
 
That is sure a sloppy way for them to sell an iPhone 4. If they are willing to do pay for shipping back and give you a refund then I would personally go with that and call it good.
 
uid15 said:
I recently searched for an iPhone 4S, and bought this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261802184624?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT


Listing title: "iPhone 4S"

Listing specs and description: "iPhone 4S"



ONE partial half-sentence at the bottom, says "Iphone 4", but based upon the overwhelming evidence of it being a 4S, due to the TITLE saying it is, and the extended details saying it is... I expected it to be, but then the seller, upon me contacting them to make sure, says "Oh, sorry - I sent you an iPhone 4 - apologies for the small mistake". "SMALL" mistake? Seller evidently doesn't understand the significance of the "S" appended to iPhone models, and seems rather indifferent, implying I should search properly and research more thoroughly before buying. I am not annoyed so much with the fact it's a 4, I am annoyed that they're implying that is MY fault, when THEY have mis-listed the item.

What would you do?They've offered to send me return shipping costs, but I replied that I'd accept the iPhone 4, but with a £30 partial refund.

Some people are incompetent when it comes to dealing with, describing and selling technology stock, and should steer well clear, I think.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

If you are good with a 4, go for a partial refund, otherwise send it back.
 
Jessica Lares said:
What... They didn't imply you did anything wrong, they just said sorry and offered a refund...

Return it and get what you really want.
Click to expand...

With respect, you are not privy to the private eBay messages between the seller and me, which imply that I should be more thorough when buying, but in fact, THEY should be more thorough when listing items (aka, they are "shifting the burden of blame"). Erm, nope - YOU list an item incorrectly, but I find that incorrect listing, trusting it is correct, and then I buy it... HOW is that my fault?

In short: it's not.
 
So, after receiving my "iPhone 4S", which is actually an iPhone 4, it turns out that this "excellent condition" iPhone 4:

~ Has a LARGE scratch across the back glass.

~ Has a chip taken out of the plastic beading (the glass mounting seal) on the back top edge.

~ Has a USB cable with nicked insulation.

~ Has VERY poor battery life (779 charge cycles).

~ Rarely allows me to connect to WiFi (yes, I am doing ALL the resets properly), and when it DOES connect, disconnects ALL THE TIME.


Back it goes. Piece of junk.
 
Since they offered to pay the return shipping costs just send it back to them, and next time you bid on an auction where it isn't 100% clear what model it is ask before you bid.
 
uid15 said:
So, after receiving my "iPhone 4S", which is actually an iPhone 4, it turns out that this "excellent condition" iPhone 4:

~ Has a LARGE scratch across the back glass.

~ Has a chip taken out of the plastic beading (the glass mounting seal) on the back top edge.

~ Has a USB cable with nicked insulation.

~ Has VERY poor battery life (779 charge cycles).

~ Rarely allows me to connect to WiFi (yes, I am doing ALL the resets properly), and when it DOES connect, disconnects ALL THE TIME.


Back it goes. Piece of junk.
Click to expand...

I'd leave them a bad review too.
 
mobilehaathi said:
I'd leave them a bad review too.
Click to expand...

I like to be fair and to give the benefit of the doubt, and am never hasty in rushing to speak negatively; mistakes get made, but I feel this was just one too many descrepancies to be seller "error". I gave a calm, succinct negative feedback report, and will duly adjust (if possible) it if the seller refunds me and apologises, otherwise, sadly, it will remain on their profile, but if it takes Paypal to refund me - which they definintely will - the feedback remains as-is.

jbachandouris said:
File a complaint with eBay/Paypal. The reason is 'significantly not as described.'

They always side with the buyer.
Click to expand...

Yes, significantly not as described (wrong model), significantly damaged, significantly intermittent, significantly poor battery longevity... haha... on and on. I don't dwell on being negative, we are all human and make mistakes, I forgive them, I just want to move on (I have, mentally), and will wait patiently for a reimbursement.

Thanks for the help folks :)
 
Last edited:
uid15 said:
I like to be fair and to give the benefit of the doubt, and am never hasty in rushing to speak negatively; mistakes get made, but I feel this was just one too many descrepancies to be seller "error". I gave a calm, succinct negative feedback report, and will duly adjust (if possible) it if the seller refunds me and apologises, otherwise, sadly, it will remain on their profile, but if it takes Paypal to refund me - which they definintely will - the feedback remains as-is.



Yes, significantly not as described (wrong model), significantly damaged, significantly intermittent, significantly poor battery longevity... haha... on and on. I don't dwell on being negative, we are all human and make mistakes, I forgive them, I just want to move on (I have, mentally), and will wait patiently for a reimbursement.

Thanks for the help folks :)
Click to expand...

I'm all for being understanding, but it wasn't a mistake that they tried to shift the blame onto you.
 
... and today, another mis-described 4S arrived <facepalm>. Here is the listing:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201313270825

And this is what I have received, and what is wrong with it. Additionally, not mentioned, are flecks of dust and debris under the glass area surrounding the home button - someone's been inside this, and have either replaced the LCD and/or the digitiser. Why can't people just TELL THE TRUTH on eBay?

Message to my seller:

Hello.

Today I received your iPhone 4S + extras, and I found this:

~ An iPhone 4S which is supplied to me as "in very good condition", and then described as "immaculate" by you (via message), and it is neither, and here is why:

#1 The LCD has a pressure mark at the top, slightly left of centre (a sign of a poor repair).

#2 The digitiser/LCD assembly is LIFTED UP from the phone at the top-left corner, with a clearly visible gap - when the lifted corner is pressed gently, the LCD ripples in the area with the pressure mark, indicating a very poorly fitted replacement LCD and/or digitiser.

#3 The bottom-left of the antenna band is *very* deepy dented on the corner (I can provide photos of ALL these issues).

#4 The supplied 30 pin cable is BENT, and cannot be inserted.

#5 To compound all these issues... the WiFi is GREYED OUT AND WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN IT ON.
 
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