Question about selling a code on Ebay

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I had a Halo Reach beta code and listed it on Ebay yesterday. Within three minutes, the code was bought for $25. I received the payment via Paypal and sent him the code right away. This morning I woke up and checked my Ebay account and noticed my listing was flagged for removal. I didnt think it was a huge deal since I got my money and the guy got his code.

I go on Ebay now and the guy is filing a claim saying that the code wasn't as described and he wants his money back. I immediately tried to redeem the code and it shows it as being used. Obviously this guy bought the code, used it, and is now trying to get his money back, in essence getting the code for free (I know it wasn't used prior since I had just received it from Microsoft).

Do I have any kind of recourse here or am I going to be screwed for the umpteenth time by Ebay/Paypal?
 
Well you aren't allowed to sell an online code electronically on ebay. You should always physically mail it. Don't think there is much you can do.
 
[quote name='madcyantist']Well you aren't allowed to sell an online code electronically on ebay. You should always physically mail it. Don't think there is much you can do.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I knew this going in. I figured I was good though since I had received my money and he got his code prior to the action being pulled. I figure I'm screwed but I was just wondering if there was some slim chance that I had any course of action.
 
[quote name='SEH']Yeah, that was him.[/QUOTE]

He pulled the same shit on me. Did you get any messages from a different buyer asking if you had more codes?
 
[quote name='pitfallharry219']He pulled the same shit on me. Did you get any messages from a different buyer asking if you had more codes?[/QUOTE]

No, just the message that his code wasn't as described. When did he do it to you? Was it for a Reach code? If he's done it to multiple people, we should have some kind of recourse.
 
Oh, I got a message from someone else. I thought maybe they were working together.

Yeah, it was for a Reach code. He opened the dispute sometime this afternoon. I don't know if there's anything we can do.
 
[quote name='pitfallharry219']Oh, I got a message from someone else. I thought maybe they were working together.

Yeah, it was for a Reach code. He opened the dispute sometime this afternoon. I don't know if there's anything we can do.[/QUOTE]

Ebay should be able to look at his disputes. Obviously he has at least two for the same item with the same reasoning. I'm sure he's got others open as well. If they wanna refund the douche his money, fine, but at least ban the guy from buying stuff.
 
Lol you should release his address to the web. I am sure he would like a subscription to some nice pornographic magazines.
 
[quote name='thisboywillbreak']Seems like karma for trying to sell a digital item that you got for FREE. Meanwhile millions of Halo fans are grasping at straws for a code. Good luck.[/QUOTE]

I got one code legitimately. It's not like they only gave away 100 codes and I'm selling 90 of them.
 
[quote name='SEH']I got one code legitimately. It's not like they only gave away 100 codes and I'm selling 90 of them.[/QUOTE]

I understand that. It still violates eBay's seller rules and is a dick move to begin with. Just funny you play victim after breaking the rules and trying to sell something you got for free. Generally frowned upon around here. I don't think there's anything you can do since it's digital and you'd have to go through Microsoft to find out the IP of the computer that redeemed the code (I think they could track that easily, anyways). He has no positive eBay feedback since 07 it seems and uses a different XBL account. If you can't do anything to refute it I'd at least give him negative feedback and such.
 
[quote name='thisboywillbreak']I understand that. It still violates eBay's seller rules and is a dick move to begin with. Just funny you play victim after breaking the rules and trying to sell something you got for free. Generally frowned upon around here.[/QUOTE]

How is it a dick move? People are willing to pay for it, why should I not try to sell it? You're saying that anything I ever get for free I cant sell? I need to either keep it forever, throw it away, or give it away?
 
you probably got it free like alot of other people, but oh well. thing is, what does he mean by item is not as described? doesn't make sense and there is not much to it since it is a beta afterall. also, you should always put NO REFUNDS/AS IS and state why. since it's an online code once it has been sent to the buyer it's out of your hands.
 
[quote name='intoxicated662']you probably got it free like alot of other people, but oh well. thing is, what does he mean by item is not as described? doesn't make sense and there is not much to it since it is a beta afterall. also, you should always put NO REFUNDS/AS IS and state why. since it's an online code once it has been sent to the buyer it's out of your hands.[/QUOTE]

I put no refunds in the listing.
 
[quote name='thisboywillbreak']I understand that. It still violates eBay's seller rules and is a dick move to begin with. Just funny you play victim after breaking the rules and trying to sell something you got for free. Generally frowned upon around here. I don't think there's anything you can do since it's digital and you'd have to go through Microsoft to find out the IP of the computer that redeemed the code (I think they could track that easily, anyways). He has no positive eBay feedback since 07 it seems and uses a different XBL account. If you can't do anything to refute it I'd at least give him negative feedback and such.[/QUOTE]

Sellers haven't been able to leave anything other than positive feedback for a while now.
 
[quote name='SEH']How is it a dick move? People are willing to pay for it, why should I not try to sell it? You're saying that anything I ever get for free I cant sell? I need to either keep it forever, throw it away, or give it away?[/QUOTE]

Okay.. even if it isn't considered being greedy on your part, at least sell it somewhere where it falls within the rules. You went into this knowing it didn't abide by them and now you got screwed. Maybe not sell a digital item on eBay next time? XD Anyways, point is it should have never been posted to begin with. I'm not sure where eBay stands on cases like this.
 
Wow eBay sure does suck. But seriously, I've got $10 lying around. I'll definitely order some ape porn to his house if you'd like... :)

[quote name='pitfallharry219']Sellers haven't been able to leave anything other than positive feedback for a while now.[/QUOTE]
Wait, WHAT?

EDIT:
http://cybernetnews.com/sellers-cant-leave-negative-feedback-on-ebay/
That is just preposterous...

It makes me feel like I have cancer, but it's located in my ass.
 
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[quote name='pitfallharry219']Sellers haven't been able to leave anything other than positive feedback for a while now.[/QUOTE]
Wait, WHAT?
For reals? Damn.
 
To everyone on the "you're a dick for selling osmething you got free" band wagon:

I won Resistance 2 from a contest months ago. Sold it to my friend for $25. Game was still going for $35 USED. That makes me a dick? The other month I won a Limited Edition Resident Evil 5 shirt. Would it make me a dick to sell it? Even if it's MINE?
 
Put in the response that he prematurely filed the claim before your handling time was up, and mail him something with delivery confirmation.
 
You broke ebay's rules and now someone is taking advantage of you for it. You dont have a leg to stand on.

P.S. You don't sell digital content on ebay. You sell a physical item (paper clip, pencil, sheet of paper, etc) and throw in the digital content for "free."
 
[quote name='darkslime']Put in the response that he prematurely filed the claim before your handling time was up, and mail him something with delivery confirmation.[/QUOTE]

Delivery confirmation has never gotten me out of a not as described claim.
 
have you tryed contacting microsoft to see exactly when the code was used? Just give them the number then you can tell ebay if the code was used after the purchase was complete.
 
[quote name='phantasyx']have you tryed contacting microsoft to see exactly when the code was used? Just give them the number then you can tell ebay if the code was used after the purchase was complete.[/QUOTE]


it doesnt matter..it is against ebay's rules to sell the code to begin with
 
not if its on paper, you can't say in a listing that you will email it but its fine if you "say" your send it digitally or really fast. You gotta bs ebay sometimes
 
Yea, you just pretty much have to state you're selling the piece of paper, and it just happens to have a code for Halo Reach on it. Even when I had a code from an insert from some game I didn't need and tried to say it, it was pulled when I said I was going to email it, but I listed it again stating I was saying the insert it wasn't pulled.

You probably have no recourse since the auction was pulled and ebay will just refund him either way. Just live and learn from the experience.
 
Regardless of whether or not the seller says that he/she is only selling a piece of paper w/ the code, it is still against ebay's beta software policy.

Beta software
Beta software can’t be listed on eBay. These are early copies of software distributed by software developers strictly for the purpose of evaluation and troubleshooting.

Not allowed
  • Beta software, including test, prototype, and evaluation software
  • Beta keys, including beta cards and access codes
  • Previously redeemed or activated beta codes
  • Digitally-delivered beta codes
Click to expand...

Basically, the OP is screwed.
 
I know it's against eBay's policy to list beta codes. What about regular DLC codes that you get from preordering a game or from an insert in a game itself? I know a lot of CAG sold their ME2 CE amour code and SC:Convection CE code as well. Could they do so legitimately on eBay? How do they prevent a stunt pulled by the buyer saying the code is not valid or something?

OP is screwed by selling a beta code on eBay. He should just refund the money and learn the lesson. If the buyer were to do a chargeback, OP would lose the money PLUS the chargeback fee (~$10).
 
Am I the only one that finds it WAY more of a dick move that some guy is going around stealing codes from people, 2 CAGs included? I mean, selling the code itself might be illogical, but for some ass to be exploiting the system to get free codes, that is a lot worse in my opinion.
 
[quote name='Swift900']Regardless of whether or not the seller says that he/she is only selling a piece of paper w/ the code, it is still against ebay's beta software policy.



Basically, the OP is screwed.[/QUOTE]

No, because you would literally be selling that piece of paper. You're not selling the code or access to the beta but that paper. It's the same with DLC codes, ebay does not allow the sell of digital items, even if it's from some code you get from Amazon or the Sony Reward site for $10 PSN cards. You have to sell a physical item and ship it. The only way to deal with ebay and any digital content, even if it is not a beta code is to sell a physical object and ship it or else the buyer can dispute it claiming they never received anything.

edit: It seems ebay has revised some of the policies since I last use ebay. Though it's still pretty restrictive. DLC items can fall into a gray area, but when I did it they still flagged it and removed it since they usually consider it as an "Online gaming accounts or artifacts such as characters, currency, or other items" which are items that can't be sold through ebay.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/downloadable.html
 
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[quote name='Thongsy']No, because you would literally be selling that piece of paper. You're not selling the code or access to the beta but that paper. It's the same with DLC codes, ebay does not allow the sell of digital items, even if it's from some code you get from Amazon or the Sony Reward site for $10 PSN cards. You have to sell a physical item and ship it. The only way to deal with ebay and any digital content, even if it is not a beta code is to sell a physical object and ship it or else the buyer can dispute it claiming they never received anything.

edit: It seems ebay has revised some of the policies since I last use ebay. Though it's still pretty restrictive. DLC items can fall into a gray area, but when I did it they still flagged it and removed it since they usually consider it as an "Online gaming accounts or artifacts such as characters, currency, or other items" which are items that can't be sold through ebay.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/downloadable.html[/QUOTE]

I understand what you are saying, Thongsy, but all it takes is someone to report this type of auction for it to be instantly pulled. ebay understands that people do not buy the piece of paper for its heavy stock or fine texture, but rather the unused beta code, which coincidentally happens to be on it.

As far as downloadable content goes, I've been able to sell four items (Mass Effect Collectors Weapon and Armor & Inferno Armor and God of War III Dominus & Apollo skins) without any issues. I still go the physical piece paper route and have yet to have any of my auctions pulled. I think ebay takes a firm stand on whether or not the code is beta related. Beta access items do not hold up.
 
[quote name='AlphaPanda']Am I the only one that finds it WAY more of a dick move that some guy is going around stealing codes from people, 2 CAGs included? I mean, selling the code itself might be illogical, but for some ass to be exploiting the system to get free codes, that is a lot worse in my opinion.[/QUOTE]

This was my thought exactly. Even if I'm a dick/greedy/whatever you want to call me, that makes it okay for this asshole to scam the system and basically steal from people? Like I said before, if Paypal wants to give this guy his money back, fine, but he should still be banned from buying stuff on Ebay. I don't see why myself and Pitfall should be the only ones reprimanded.
 
I have a Halo Reach code to trade, but I used one myself. Doing so, I can enter this code and it says I already have the content. I took a screenshot of that, which proves it is valid.

I may try to sell it on eBay as well.... I don't want to be greedy, I just want a $10 Amazon giftcard or something for it. I just have no use for it.

EDIT: After reading this thread... I may not chance it. Bah...
 
Sounds like you got stiffed by a typical Halo fan, i.e. underaged child

I've sold plenty of codes with no hassle. I tell the person to use the code immediately, and if there is a problem to send me a message.
 
[quote name='pitfallharry219']Delivery confirmation has never gotten me out of a not as described claim.[/QUOTE]

Exactly. I sell codes and e-mail them all the time. I've been screwed one time. I see no real reason to ship the code, because if the buyer is a scammer, he can still just lie and say the doesn't work. And he will get his money back. At least by e-mailing, I don't have to pay to ship it, and I won't drive off buyers who want the code immediately.
 
Id say just put it in an envelope and send it to him physically. Have delivery confirmation on the envelope and once its there its out of your hands really...

On ebay they are buying the physical card itself and not the actual content within. Its kind of like when buying coupons on ebay your only paying for "the time of them cutting them".

Ebay would certainly side with u since you shipped the physical item and they buyer really has no proof of showing he didnt receive it with delivery confirmation.

I ran into this same issue with fable 2 codes a while back sending in email and I got around it by sending the card once they opened a claim. Was kind of a funny thing... cuz I sent the code with a screen cap of the code entered on live saying would you like to redeem so I knew it was active.

End game, people are assholes.
 
[quote name='Steggy']I ran into this same issue with fable 2 codes a while back sending in email and I got around it by sending the card once they opened a claim. Was kind of a funny thing... cuz I sent the code with a screen cap of the code entered on live saying would you like to redeem so I knew it was active.[/QUOTE]

People like to pull fast ones.... but if you do that- you KNOW the code is still active, and you can call their bluff.
 
[quote name='Steggy']Ebay would certainly side with u since you shipped the physical item and they buyer really has no proof of showing he didnt receive it with delivery confirmation.[/QUOTE]

You apparently have never had any issues with selling on eBay. They will side with the buyer, unless the seller has an absolute, rock-solid, air-tight defense. If a buyer claims they received an item in a condition over than described, you're pretty much screwed. So, they can lie and say you sold them a code that was already redeemed, and you really have no recourse. This happened to a friend who shipped out a few XBL codes to some dirtbag liar.
 
[quote name='Malik112099']You broke ebay's rules and now someone is taking advantage of you for it. You dont have a leg to stand on.

P.S. You don't sell digital content on ebay. You sell a physical item (paper clip, pencil, sheet of paper, etc) and throw in the digital content for "free."[/QUOTE]
Does that actually work?? You're not allowed to sell codes apparently, but can I sell them like a picture of my dog via e-mail or something for like $5 and toss in a code like that??
 
I tried to sell a beta code on ebay and it didn't even get listed. It was removed prior to listing by ebay itself. Then they said if anything like that happens again my account is suspended. This is despite writing a description that matched all the ones that did sell and taking every precaution. I contacted them and they told me to call some number, but they didn't tell me it would cost me money. So then I lost money making the call. I contacted them 3 more times about it and they just gave me the fucking run around and would not even talk about the call despite how many times I brought it up.

[quote name='The Holy Pretzle']Does that actually work?? You're not allowed to sell codes apparently, but can I sell them like a picture of my dog via e-mail or something for like $5 and toss in a code like that??[/QUOTE]

This will not protect you if they review it.
 
I think you guys should just forget about selling it. You're not making much anyways and too much work is involve just to sell it. After the starcraft beta code debacle, never again!
 
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