Shrike Linden Hello,

I'm sorry but in the report, there is no option regarding an item that does not work and that should do so as stated in the article, there are many options (mostly "obsolete") but not this one, if we buy a product, and it is not usable, we have no way to be reimbursed or for the seller to make changes or respond to us directly.

I think this is abused and scandalous.

I have also tried in the past to report an ad of this type, while putting it in a category that does not correspond, but which seemed to me to be the closest, and where no response was made from you!

Kasama Lagan: "Item Not As Advertised" covers items that do not function.

Shrike Linden well, and now? in which category? i already did that and i never had any answer...(3 times) any refund...

Kasama Lagan: I do suppose none of those quite fit! "Item Permissions Not As Advertised" is probably the closest, I'll see about adding another option for "Item Does Not Function".

Shrike Linden Hi. I'm curious, if an item is flagged as 'not as described, not functional' what is the next procedure? Is the item inspected by a linden and delisted if the criteria is met? Thank you

Shrike Linden "Item Does Not Function" might just mean the buyer is not using it correctly. This option could also be abused. The buyer might get a refund on a perfectly functional item. Perhaps the flagging could be followed by an email to seller to either respond by providing support/explanation or item may be delisted. There is also the review system that can warn about faults and unresponsive seller. Its a very tricky situation with no clear solution, and this is why it's always been the risk you take, unfortunately.

and I also add that there is a lot of competition so the reporting might be just to make the creator look bad, about the assistance from the creator I agree, in my case I am always ready to intervene and at no cost, in other cases they don't know how to use it then I get patient and explain step by step. A customer must always be respected.But even I find absolute silence to my requests for help, which deters me later from having him as a provider.

Reid Parkin That's why I'm explaining that there should be a deadline for the creator to respond, a sort of "ticket," where the creator could help or explain, otherwise in the event of a proven malfunction, and then a mediator could decide or refund.

How do real sites do it? They do it like that, and it works. It should be the same here; it's a sales showcase like any other website, so we have the right to demand that things be functional and not allow certain sellers who no longer come to update or sellers who take advantage of it because we have no recourse, and it becomes annoying.

We can't let this go unpunished. It's a form of scam.

Kasama Lagan says 'How do real sites do it? They do it like that, and it works'.

How do you know this, though? Have you ever spoken to sellers on Ebay or Amazon to hear their opinion of it? I purchase online a lot, and most of the time things go smoothly, but there have been times when I get a refund for undelivered and then the item is delivered a day or two later, or it turns out the battery I used is flat etc. Amazon and Ebay lean heavily towards the customer. These sites don't mediate, they just refund, and there isn't even a way to return a refund except organising something with the seller. Most buyers wouldn’t bother.

Who would do the mediating? LL wouldn't provide staff for that because it would be too tedious. That would be a big job with both sides arguing over a few dollars, usually.

I understand that something is needed but it has to suit both buyer and seller.

How about something like this from Ebay, a Contact Seller button directly on MP, and if you get no response don't buy it.

Reid Parkin I don't see how my request poses a problem. You seem to feel attacked as a seller, which is quite strange, especially since this opinion seems to only serve the seller's interests, not the buyer's.

I simply propose that after a purchase, if an item isn't working, a button be implemented to contact the seller directly via the Marketplace. This button would guarantee the seller's obligation to respond within a specified timeframe, which doesn't seem to me to be an unreasonable request. This would allow for quick resolution of problems, whether the problem is a misunderstanding on the part of the buyer or an actual product malfunction. It would be legitimate protection for the buyer.

If the item is indeed defective, this should result in an update or a refund.

Also, when you mention other merchant sites, please note that I also often order online, and in the vast majority of cases, mediation is offered in the event of a problem. I understand that implementing such a system would require resources from Linden Lab, but it remains entirely feasible.

Many sites like Etsy, Temu, and AliExpress already have this type of mechanism in place, and it works. I don't understand how defective items can be sold with impunity, to the detriment of buyers. Just because it's a few L$ doesn't mean it should be considered normal: a purchase is still a purchase, regardless of the amount.

Finally, when you suggest: "Why not implement a 'Contact Seller' button directly on the Marketplace, and if you don't receive a response, then don't buy?"

That would mean having to contact a seller before even buying, without knowing if the item works. Such an option seems completely absurd to me.

Kasama Lagan I voted for this. I see it as a definite problem. I personally know a seller (my ex-partner) who hasn't logged in since 2019, has faulty items and just takes the money, and he doesnt care. I think it's a terrible thing. He sells boat rezzers, but I just can't see an LL staff member buying and testing his items to confirm they dont work. Maybe if it was a rare MP event, but it wouldn't be. And many items would just be user error, inexperience or not reading instructions, and LL would need to confirm this everytime.

I have bought very expensive items and felt I should get a refund, and therefore before I ever buy something I'm not prepared to take a risk on, I would send this message to the seller 'Hi, I'm thinking of buying your item. Do you give after sale support?'. No response, no sale.

Therefore, a Contact Merchant button on MP would be perfect. And as I said in my post right at the top, LL could monitor the responses to see if the merchant is still active, and if no responses then they should inactivate the whole store.

I'm on your side. But not for a system that could be abused.

Reid ParkinUnfortunately, in the absence of sanctions, this type of problem risks recurring without any refund being possible... and that seems unacceptable to me. When selling a product, it's normal to respect the buyer.

I understand your point of view, however. But following this logic, a seller could very well respond the first time, confirm that their item doesn't work, and then cease all communication thereafter. The problem would therefore remain the same: the buyer would still not be reimbursed.

If this is tolerated, then it opens the door to selling defective items with complete impunity, with no obligation for the seller to notify buyers or refund them.

As for reviews, we know they're not a reliable solution. An item can be withdrawn, relisted, and reviews can also be removed...

Kasama Lagan Well, at least the seller is still active. The worst case is a seller leaving SL and selling broken products, but still collecting profits.

I always give refunds to unhappy customers, but I know many merchants don't because they dont think a refund is justified and you cant return the item if it's copy. In RL you can, and you are expected to. Therefore, there's more chance of abuse in SL.

There's no easy solution.