Warranty on eBay purchase

[kriskwery]

I bought an new, fully boxed C&W DECT answerphone on eBay in February which appears to be covered by a manufacturer's warranty for 1 year. Having spoken to them and exchanged emails we have been unable to resolve the fault. They have suggested I return the unit to the "retailer" but my email seller is not playing ball, having given me, at the time, an 8 day "working guarantee certificate". Do I have any rights??? Suggestions, please, as to how best to proceed (and it's far too late to leave negative feedback on eBay!)

[j2buttonsw]

Your contract is with the ebayer who only offered an 8 day guarantee (which you accepted, through buying from them, and has now expired). So they are a dead end. You could try to send it back to the manufacturer but they may want proof of purchase and you have bought it second hand! You probably will not be able to transfer the original manufacturers waranty (which was with the original buyer) so I guess you have been unlucky.

[BenDToy]

I can only echo what jbuttonsw has said. I am surprised that you use words like "new" (how can it be?) and "covered by a manufacturer's warranty" which normally would only apply to the original purchaser. You can only benefit from either of these if you purchase from a "proper" retailer. I also suggest that your only route is through the manufacturer. They may offer to repair it as a goodwill gesture, but I wouldn't hold my breath. As a comment I don't think the ebay seller is being unreasonable. You can hardly expect them to offer a service like Debenhams, because presumably you didn't pay a Debenhams price!

[kriskwery]

Thank you both for your answers - yes, I suppose it's a case of caveat emptor and you get wot you pays for! I am just a little bit disappointed though because the seller trades entirely in such goods, ie. it's his business, rather than as an individual moving on an unwanted item. A proper shop next time, maybe!

[smudge]

My motto is: 'E-BAY - NO WAY'. Yet another disasterous E-Bay story in the Daily Mail this morning!

[WoWo]

I'd agree, I have purchased on e-bay a few times and every time I have been happy with what I have recieved but I would'nt spend more than I was willing to lose. Unless you spent a lot of money on it I'd wrtie it off and look for a retalier with a bit more of a reputation, there are plenty of other on line retailers offering goods cheaper than the highstreet.

[Kos]

Ebay are next to useless at resolving disputes between sellers and buyers.Despite all their promises, you try and get them involved in a dispute and all they do is send an email or two- really frightening!!