Best way to list "as is" items?

[Kitsune Sniper]

I'm going to list two items that I'm pretty sure don't work - a beat up Sega CDX, and that PCEngine CDRom2 drive I found last week. But, I'm afraid of getting bidders who can't (or won't) read the auction text.

So how do I protect myself against those idiots? Other than using blinky text, large fonts, and other bells and whistles?

[buzz_n64]

best way is in the title itself, or in text on the pic of the item

[ryborg]

Honestly, if you're that worried about getting stupid buyers and/or bad feedback, don't bother posting your as-is stuff on ebay. Just list the items accurately, highlight the known defects, and hope for the best. You can't force people to read, no matter how large, blinky and bold the text is. I've had too many buyers skip the entire item description and buy the item based solely on the first half of the title. It's just part of life on ebay.

[Wookie]

Word you're title something like:
"Non-working Sega CDX system for parts or repair AS IS"

and put a line similar to:
"This item is untested/not working/defective and is sold AS IS"
as the very first line in your description, and describe any known defects or missing pieces. I'm not sure what thier current policy is, but Paypal used to reject claims for defective merchandise as long as the disclaimer was right up front in the description. If you put such a statement deeper in the description, they would side with the buyer (a reasonable policy, actually, since some sellers would bury the disclaimers in overly long descriptions and pseudo-legalise)

[b1aCkDeA7h]

"As is" in the auction title and "repair" or "parts only" or something like that usually covers you. So long as you accurately describe the item, you can't be at fault if the buyer doesn't read.

You've probably heard me say this lots of times before, but the eBay PayPal machine will go through hell and high water to protect a buyer and occasionally glance at issues sellers bring up.

A friend of mine had an issue almost like what you're describing as a worst case scenario. He sold a car ECU that the buyer, who claims it didn't work. The fact that the buyer didn't spell or use grammar properly in his messages is irrelevant as the buyer opened up a PayPal case demanding a refund. This put my friend's PayPal balance into the negative for costs that I'm not sure about but were not a refund to the buyer. My friend escalated it to a claim wherein PayPal stepped in and told the buyer that the item had to be shipped and returned with a tracking number at the buyer's expense in order for the claim to be settled and for the buyer to receive a refund. If the tracking number was not provided to both my friend and PayPal within seven days, my friend would have won the claim. Needless to say, the tracking number never showed up, my friend won the claim and his PayPal balance was restored back to what it was before the case was opened.

That's just one case of a seller winning though. I guess the key is describe things accurately and quickly follow up with everything should you run into a problem.

[ryborg]

I'm not sure what thier current policy is, but Paypal used to reject claims for defective merchandise as long as the disclaimer was right up front in the description. If you put such a statement deeper in the description, they would side with the buyer (a reasonable policy, actually, since some sellers would bury the disclaimers in overly long descriptions and pseudo-legalise)

Nope, definitely not the case. I've lost disputes of this nature before. Literally nothing can stop a "not as described" dispute. You can buy a red shirt, file a dispute because you wanted a blue one, and win, as long as you return the item.

[b1aCkDeA7h]

Nope, definitely not the case. I've lost disputes of this nature before. Literally nothing can stop a "not as described" dispute. You can buy a red shirt, file a dispute because you wanted a blue one, and win, as long as you return the item.

Yep, that's the key. As a seller, your only defense is to escalate it to a claim so PayPal steps in and demands the buyer provide a tracking number within a week.

[rpepper9]

People do not read item descriptions. They hardly look at the photos. I have sold demo cell phones before on eBay, don't ask me why, but people will pay a few bucks for the cell phones that you see at the mall kiosks that do not work, but look exactly like the real thing. I think the outer case and buttons are the same, with a piece of lead in the inside.

The first line in all my auctions is: This is a demo phone, it does not work, and never will work. It is for display or play purposes only"

You would not imagine how many people ask me will this phone work on XXXXX service, or is this phone unlocked? About 1 out of 5 phones will go for more than the usual 3 or 4 bucks, one time reaching a 90.00 price.

Long story short, when the prices reach the amount where I am pretty sure the bidder thinks it is a real cell phone, half the time they complain when it arrives, saying "this phone doesn't work" or "this isn't a real phone". And the other half of the time they don't say anything feeling too embarrassed for their own stupidity.

On the time the phone reached 90.00 the person filed a not as described claim with PayPal, PayPal decided in my favor as the seller. Then the bidder filed a chargeback with their credit card. PayPal fought that for me twice, eventually giving in. However since they had already decided in my favor, and I had "seller protection" from shipping to a confirmed address with tracking, I PayPal ate the cost, not me.

So no, people don't read descriptions! and yes, PayPal will help the seller out in some cases, don't just be all negative on PayPal.

[ryborg]

and yes, PayPal will help the seller out in some cases, don't just be all negative on PayPal.

Yeah, Paypal's swell. I sure love it when they help me in .01% of disputes.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I appreciate the comments.

Taking all of this into account, I plan to do the following:

A) Write that the item does not work in big, bold, flashy glittery letters at the top.
B) Repeat that about five times through the listing.
C) If I get emails asking if the item works I'll block them from bidding.

Sound good?