Auctions are not always a pretty picture

Justin is a landscape designer so he spends most of his time outdoors. He decided that he would get a digital camera so he could take pictures of his work. He found the one he wanted on an online auction.

“I don't use the auction much, so when I found the camera I wanted at a good price, I just clicked the “buy now” button. It was from a proper camera shop. However, the camera had a fault. The battery kept going flat in less than hour, when it should have lasted much longer.

When I contacted the seller he said that he sold his items “as seen” and wouldn't let me return the item. I complained to the website but they said since the goods arrived, and it was the camera I ordered, they couldn't do anything.

I just thought “this can't be right”. If I had bought the same faulty camera at that guy's shop he would have to give me a new one. So, why should it be different in an online auction?

I contacted www.e-victims.org and I found out I was right. If you use the “buy now” in an online auction from a business trader then the item is covered under the Sale of Goods Act. If the item is defective the business trader has to give you a replacement or refund.

Since I had paid using a credit card, I was able to do a chargeback. All in all it took about 3 months to get my money back, not to mention the hassle. In the mean time, I lost whole season's worth of pictures”.