jdon

This is what I would do as well although I share the sentiment posted earlier about good and asshat ebayers. Make it right if it isn't too costly or take them back. BTW, having served doesn't automatically make a person good.

Nick29

This would be perfectly reasonable, and would give you a better idea of whether the buyer's claims are legit.

Monkey Face

You absolutely KNOW that the bearings were fine - and if you have good feedback so far, I'd either take one bad feedback or split the cost in exchange for good feedback.

DropDeadFred

seems like 4 months for a response and hes well out of the 60 day period to file a claim right?

kayakdiver

My return policy is 7 days... so he/she knew that when they purchased the wheels.. Also, good luck getting back money already paid to Paypal and eBay.

In my opinion the "right thing" is for you to make him honor the deal.

DropDeadFred

and the right thing to do would be (and this coming from somebody who has a seller score of 100% with over 1000 auctions closed) tell him to read the TOS. he has a certain amount of time to review the product and contact the seller, if the item is not as described then he can take that up with you, if you don't feel you should replace it then he can dispute it through paypal, which you and he can leave it up to them to settle the claim. If he's buying things that he knows he can't physically look over for 4 months he shouldn't be buying them from ebay. If he's buying wheels that are 3+ years old and doesn't want pay to have the hubs serviced then he's just an ebay troll...you can see other items he's won and see feedback he's left as well as feedback responses, if it's something common with him then screw him. If he's legitimately concerned over the wheels then offer a partial refund, he can pay for the listing and closing fees plus the paypal fees (for withdrawing money) etc. plus shipping...im sure all of this will change his mind and he will see that paying to service his hubs himself might be just the same...

kayakdiver

also, having purchased some 105 brakes from Rad last Fall for the girlfriend... his item was as described.

K&K_Dad

I'm sorry, I'm just not buying this. Same thing as everyone else. just about everytime I order something it arrives while I'm at work. Unless it's for the wife I ask her to open it immediately to make sure that everything is there and in working order. Did this man say where these wheels were stored in the 4 months they 'sat around'? Climate controlled storage or out back in the shed. I'm all for our guys and gals in the service and would do anything for em but I find it insane the no one could check on these wheels for him in 4 months. Hope things work out for ya.

Silvercivic27

Personally, I think tough cookies to that guy. That's the risk you take buying stuff on eBay. If he doesn't like it, he can cough up the dough and buy from a retailer or someone he knows personally.

OldsCOOL

I would wonder if the guy can accurately assess wheel bearing condition and what at what point they need replacing.

KateinNH

I agree, I've bought and sold on Ebay a lot and I'd say to him that you are sorry he seems to think there is something wrong with the bearings, but that you know they were good when you sent them out and that you expect people to examine their products within 30 days of receipt.

You can try that and see if he leaves it be. But, unfortunately the way Ebay sets their rules, he has the ability to open a case on the transaction and press it until Paypal covers his loss and makes you pay up -- if you refuse to reach an agreement with him.

Possibly you could offer a partial refund if you get the feeling that he'll press the issue -- if he responds or opens a "case" after your first response stating you don't feel responsible. Ebay protects buyer more than sellers. I've bought many sketchy things on Ebay, even an old truck, knowing that I have almost 100% right of return for any defect or misrepresentation that I perceive.

DropDeadFred

It's too late for that...he has 60 days...after 90 the transaction can't even be pulled up on eBay only paypal history.

mmmdonuts

I agree with getting an LBS involved. You should have a professional opinion on the state of the bearings because the buyer may not know what he's talking about. If they say the bearings are bad and you want to make the buyer happy (ie. shut him up) then cover the cost of standard bearing replacement. You wouldn't want to give him a free bearing upgrade.

DropDeadFred

LBS will service anything and suggest it just as well....it's how they Pay the rent...seriously offer a refund minus ALL costs...fees and shipping...he'd save more keeping them and fixing em

glrnns280

Tell him to send proof that he was overseas and that he had just got home. Then if its true send him money for the parts.Just explain to him this happens all the time in the world of ebay,people like to scam.

Nachoman

That's a good point. Is this guy even able to diagnose some perceived problem with the wheel?

JTGraphics

Since you want to be nice even after 4 months get the numbers of the bearings pick up a set and send them, tell him you will supply bearings and he's going to have to have them installed or do it himself. That's a good compromise for something that's 4 months old I'd say .

55/Rad

Lots of good information here...thank you all for your responses. Here is how I handled it.

First, there is no way I can say with 100% certainty that the bearings were perfect when I shipped the wheels. I can only be 98% certain. Second, I dug up the Paypal record of the AUCTION and was reminded that the winner paid more for a set of used wheels than he would have for a new set - which are still available in shops. Both of these contributed to my willingness to work with the buyer.

I researched the cost of new cartridge bearings for this wheelset, which are relatively inexpensive. The hubs aren't anything unusual in terms of design so I offered to pay for both the bearings and the labor and I requested to pay the shop direct.

His response was one of surprise and gratitude which confirmed for me that he was being honest in the first place.

As for the bearings, the only thing I can think of is that some moisture got in there and the long sit mucked them up.

55/Rad

KateinNH

I agree with socalrider and think that consulting with the seller's forum on Ebay is a good way to go, especially considering that its been long past the time for making a grievance -- he may have lost some of his leverage.

Also, consider how much time you want to put into this issue? How much money are we talking here? What is your time worth? Would it shut him up to just send him ten or twenty bucks toward another set of bearings or would you be better to just wait it out, especially considering that you don't have a positive or negative feedback to gain or lose by this, so I think consulting with Ebay experts would be good advice and then considering how much time this is worth to act on at all outside of the ebay advisers.

cyanemi

I would refund and have him send them back at his expense.

nhluhr

My sentiments exactly.

AllezDada

Sounds like a reasonable solution (and happy ending) for you and the buyer.

SpongeDad

does it really take an LBS to replace cartridge bearings?

Offer to send him new bearings if he sends you the old ones.

mustang1

Not sure if you're using eBay to sell a whole bunch of stuff, if you are, you probably wanna take more sensible advise. BUT you asked what we would do... and me... I'd tell the guy to go screw himself. I've had enough of being the good guy having his balls busted. You get these real low lifes screwing the good sellers.

LowCel 

Proof once again of why you deserve the respect that you get from so many on this forum (and in real life I would assume), including myself.