Someone has opened a case against me on ebay, HELP!?

[Lizz]

I sold a laptop on ebay and the buyer claims there was "a scratch" on it and wasn't in new condition as described. The laptop was sold for parts/ not working and was listed with no refunds available. Buyer mailed back laptop but I'm pretty sure something is missing bc weight of package is different that originally sent. Since a case is open against me, can ebay in any way take the money from my Paypal account? Can someone clear up exactly how this works? Buyer sent me several messages with threatening tone, not sure what to do.

[Roddy]

Had you described the "scratch" you would have been covered. Items sold for parts doesn't protect you if you did not describe some major scratch on the screen and it wasn't visible in your photos.

You may win this one or you may not. We don't have access to your listing to see how you described it. If the buyer didn't return it with your permission and didn't use tracking then they can't even prove they sent it back to you.

If eBay/PayPal find in their favor then yes, they will take the money out of your account.

Open up the laptop and see if anything is missing. RAM, hard drive, video card, whatever.

[Ed G]

Well you are finding the big problem with ebay. Some of the people buying stuff rip you off.By doing just what happen to you.I always sell to only good rated buyers.Yes ebay can and will take money back from you.They almost always rule against the seller.The only thing you can do is dispute it through the ebay process.

[ebetsy]

I'm an eBay Education Specialist, and I can help you with this. If the buyer is claiming
that this item "is not in new condition as described", Bay will take your side as long as you specified the item condition as "for parts/not working". The buyer is trying to say that the item was new; you say it was sold for parts/not working. As long as you selected "For parts/not working" in the item condition field when you listed it, you're in good shape. Here's a link to how the dispute resolution process works:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/resolving-problems.html

and more importantly, here's a link to the Seller Protection Policy:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/sell...ction.html

Read the section headed "eBay Buyer Protection Cases", specifically the second section "If a buyer claims an item is not as described":

If a buyer claims an item isn't as described
You may be protected from losing a case if you provide clear documentation that the item was described accurately and consistently in the listing.
Examples:
A buyer opens a case because an item isn't new or has minor scratches, but the listing clearly and consistently describes the item as used.
A buyer opens a case because of a defect in an item, but the defect was accurately described in the listing.
A buyer opens a case because they didn't want the item, but the item was accurately described in the listing.

EBay will even remove any neutral or negative feedback the buyer leaves you due to this issue, and the opened case won't count against you if it's found in your favor. Good luck!