A Cranky Case



I recently sold an old wooden ice cream maker for a best offer of $55.

 

In the description I made some mistakes that bit me in the butt when the buyer opened a case as item not as described.

 

My Actual Listing:

 

Vintage Rustic Primitive Decor White Mountain Freezer Ice Cream Maker Hand Crank

6qt

This hand cranked ice cream maker would make a beautiful décor piece in your Rustic/Primitive/Country style kitchen.

It does crank and presumably work, but there is rust and aging throughout - I think it is more of a show piece than for actual use.

 

Here is the case:

 

The buyer requested a return

Comments:

The listing said that it was old, but fully functional. I intended to clean it up and try it out. But this is a mess, mainly because the top of the milk canister is missing...

 

You sent a message

Comments:

Hello, The item description stated that it was a decorative piece. I will gladly accept a return but I will deduct the shipping cost, and a 10% restocking fee. Thank you

 

The buyer sent you a message

Comments:

Look at the Specific part of you description--this states that the product may be used but still is fully functional.. I purchased this freezer knowing that it had rust, but thought it was fully functional and that I could clean it up.... You never said that the lid on the freezer part was missing! Now you expect me to pay to ship it back plus you intend to charge me a 10 percent restocking fee??? This is no way acceptable to me!!!!! I'll probably be contacting E-bay for their decision on this sale.

 

You sent a message

Comments:

My return policy is that buyer pays return shipping. I will waive the normal 10% restocking fee, but feel that the condition of the item was fully disclosed.
No where in the description does it say "fully functional" - only that the crank piece works.

I am also willing to let eBay make the final decision.

Thank you.

 

This is where I went wrong! I'd listed the item as "USED" not "For Parts" - I was thinking it was a used decoration and all decorations have to do to function is sit there. She was thinking it was a used ice cream maker. And according to eBay:

 
Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.

 

Uh oh. Well I did not try to argue with eBay that I really was thinking someone would buy the piece as a decoration because I did say that the crank worked. Oh well.

 

I learned my lesson and hope that by sharing these details some of my readers will too.