eBay seller incorrectly lists an item

I ordered a webcam from eBay and one of my requirements was that it was autofocus.

I found one and ordered it.

When it arrived it was manual focus. Hmm. Lets look at the auction page now.

That's right, they removed the word 'auto' from the description. They knew the camera wasn't auto focus but changed the listing after I had ordered it.

Simple I'll just get a refund. This is where the fun starts.

April 29th I send this message:

New message to: icecreamcl

Hi, When I ordered this item the listing claimed it was 'Auto Focus' (see attached screenshot). The listing now appears to have the word "Auto" removed and the camera is definitely not auto focus. I specifically bought this because it was meant to be autofocus. I would like a refund or replacement that meets this requirement. Regards Nigel

They response the following day.

New message from: icecreamcl (844)

Dear Customer, Thank you for your message. We are sorry that you are not satisfied with the product. If possible, could you please kindly send us some photos or video, so that we can better know about the problem? Thanks. Waiting for your reply, and we will do best to solve the problem for you, thanks. Have a nice day. Best Regards

Minutes later I reply with a photo of the camera showing an out of focus image

New message to: icecreamcl

Why do you need a photo of the device not having auto focus ? Is this just a weird delay tactic ? The device is Manual Focus. It has a Manual Focus Control ring around the lens. It does not automatically focus. I have attached a photo showing: 1 - it has a silver focus ring around the lens for manual focus 2 - the image is blurred because it it not auto focus. I specifically ordered the camera because it was listed as Auto Focus. I am requesting a refund.

Do you think I mentioned 'auto focus' and 'manual focus' enough in this reply ? I mean it annoys me when I get a stock response that is simply a delay tactic so I'll reply with as much sarcasm I a believe is necessary.

New message from: icecreamcl (845)

Dear Customer, Thank you for your message. We are really sorry about that, we much apologize for all trouble and inconvenience caused. As a responsible seller, we can offer 10% refund to you as compensation, is that ok? Please advise, thanks. Waiting for your reply. Have a nice day.

Ah, maybe it wasn't clear I wanted a full refund? or maybe they are they just trying to cut their losses as they know they're in the wrong. Lets play the game with them.

New message to: icecreamcl

No, That is no acceptable. I would like to return the camera (at your expense) for a full refund as it is not as advertised.

I think I was pretty clear this time at what I expect to happen.

At this point I figured this might go on a while so rather than just messaging the seller about the item I opened a return request. This appeared to run as a separate conversation and they didn't notice I was already talking to them in this message thread. I'll come back to this later though.

Back to the original conversation, they responded three days later (a weekend was involved).

New message from: icecreamcl (852)

Dear Customer, Thank you for your fast reply. We are sorry, in this case, how about 25% refund? Please advise, thanks. We much apologize for all trouble and inconvenien caused. Waiting for your reply. Have a nice day. Best Regards

Nope, they're committed to playing the part-refund game. You might get the impression my responses are getting a little direct and to the point. Do you think they'll notice I'm not even bothering to change the majority of the message?

New message to: icecreamcl

No, That is no acceptable. I would like to return the camera (at your expense) for a full refund as it is not as advertised.. I have no use for a manual focus camera.

Incidentally I got a response to the return request I opened:

Dear Customer, Thank you for your message. We are sorry that you are not satisfied with the product. If possible, could you please kindly send us some photos or video, so that we can better know about the problem? Thanks. Waiting for your reply, and we will do best to solve the problem for you, thanks. Have a nice day. Best Regards

 A stock message! who would have thought ? :)

I wonder how much i can get away with while still seeming to be polite ?

As stated in my original message the problem with the camera is that it is NOT AUTOFOCUS. I purchased it because it stated that it is AUTOFOCUS, it is NOT AUTOFOCUS. I have attached a photo of the camera showing an out of focus picture because it is NOT AUTOFOCUS. The camera has a manual focus control because it is NOT AUTOFOCUS. I would like to receive a full refund and I am happy to return the camera at your expense. I do not see why I should pay for the return postage of a camera that is not as advertised. By the way, if you read my original message you would be aware that the issue with the product is it's lack of advertised AUTOFOCUS. Sending a generic message like this makes it look like you didn't read the original message and are just stalling for time.

Back to the original conversation. 25% was it ?

New message from: icecreamcl (857)

Dear Customer, Thank you for your message. We can fully understand your feeling,now the thing has happened, as a responsible and honest seller, we hope to solve the problem for you. We can offer 50% refund to you for compensation, and you keep the item.You could also resale or give it to your friends or families, thanks. Is that ok? Please advise, thanks. Wating for your reply. Have a nice day. Best Regards

Suggesting I resell this crappy webcam or give it away. Nope, I'm committed to this. If nothing else I'll follow up the other return request and file seller complaints.

New message to: icecreamcl

No, that is not acceptable. I would like a full refund as it is not as advertised. I do not want the camera and will return it at your expense.

Did I not make it clear I wanted a full refund ? Did I not make it clear this was incorrectly advertised ? No. They know they are wrong and should give a full refund and are trying to not lose 100% of the cost.

New message from: icecreamcl (857)

Dear Customer, Thank you for your fast reply. We are sorry, in this case, how about 70% refund? Best Regards

At least they appreciate my fast replies, they normally take a day to response and I've been replying within minutes.

New message to: icecreamcl

No, that is not acceptable. As stated previously I would like a full refund.

As I had stated many times before.

New message from: icecreamcl (858)

send it back then,

I think I pissed them off :D

New message to: icecreamcl

I would like you to agree to cover the return postage as it was not my fault that it was listed incorrectly. I should not be out of pocket for your mistake

New message to: icecreamcl

According to eBays help pages "The seller pays for return postage if the item was damaged, faulty, or doesn't match the listing description, or if they offer a free returns policy." https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/buying/returns-refunds/returning-item/return-postage?id=4066&st=7&po=3&uci=6&ri=9035223398 As the item does not match the description I would like you to pay the return postage. I have raised a return request but I am awaiting for you to generate the return label.

I had raised a return request the previous week, they just didn't connect that this conversation was the same user. The return request had been sat waiting for them to provide the return postage label.

This morning I awoke to two new messages from eBay.

New message from: icecreamcl (859)

No need to send back due to current situation.

and

New message from: icecreamcl (859)

If you have opened an eBay return request, please kindly close it when refund received, thanks

Along with a refund in my PayPal account.

The entire time was 7 days.