When browsing around looking for good prices on your next piece of kit, do you take warranty into account?
Are you aware that by paying a few dollars less on eBay you may lose out if your purchase develops a fault? If you look at the eBay T&C the word "warranty" does not appear. If it arrives faulty you are covered, but once 30 days elapses you are at the whim of the sellers if they choose to support you.
I just had that experience with an IP camera for home and was lucky not to lose out. I bought it from an Aussie seller with 100% positive feedback, but not a known company name. The listing stated 2 years AU warranty. The camera failed after a few weeks so I raised a Return request. There were a few "try this, try that" emails but eventually they sent details for me to return it, which I did. Then, the 60 days limit to leave feedback expired and the next day the seller closed the Return on eBay. Impeccable timing, with camera now in transit. Alarm bells now ringing in my mind.
Tracking showed the returned camera was delivered, but when I prompted 2 days later the seller's response gave no indication of intending to do anything ... "if there is an outcome we will contact you". After 9 days I contacted eBay and the first response was not encouraging. Would not reopen the Return and said they could not intervene as 30 days for faults is the limit. But, he decided that as it was first reported just outside the 30 days and the camera had now been returned they would send an email "encouraging" the seller to resolve it. Whatever was in that email worked because next day the seller sent me a replacement.
But if it had been months instead of weeks I would have lost out. So, my message is to only consider buying from a known eBay seller or be prepared that you may only have a very short warranty. Without a company name or physical address, I don't know if Fair Trading would help.
If I have trouble with any item I first ask the seller and if the conversation starts going around and around I mention that I will mention the details to PayPal and I have always received service from there.
I have had items replaced and with no need to even return the faulty goods.
If you bought it on EBay you would have used Pay Pal so give them a try.
__________________
Welcome to Biggs Country many may know it as Australia
With few exceptions I take the view that anything I buy on Ebay has no warranty.
However: it matters not one jot what Ebay's or the seller's terms and conditions are Australian consumer law overrides them - end of story. Almost....
The trouble of couse is enforcing your Australian consumer rights; chances are the ACCC won't be terribly interested because your $50 camera has failed after six months and the seller won't talk with you. You could employ a lawyer to pursue the matter but that would cost a few $k and you'd be taking a chance as to whether you'd get costs. Maybe there are "small claims courts" you could pursue an Australian seller in but it'll be a lot of work for $50.
If you are feeling really vindictive you could, over a few months, buy a few very cheap products from same seller and give him really bad negative feedback but, for me, life is too short for such anger.
Maybe PayPal or credit cards will offer help but I wouldn't bank on it.
Personally I just learn the lesson and do not purchase from that seller again.
__________________
"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
