"The photos form part of the description...."

[Steve]

It's because buyers are using lack of explicit notice of defects as an excuse for an "item not as described" ("INAD") return. In other words, if you show a horn with a scratch in the photos, don't explicitly point it out in the description, and don't put something like "photos are part of the description" in the listing, it opens the door for an INAD return. When the buyer requests an INAD return, eBay pretty much automatically sides with the buyer, and you are then expected to pay all costs the buyer has for the return. Buyers are hoping you'll tell them to just keep the item instead, which they then get for free because of eBay's policies.

Easier to add those few words than to go through all the above manipulation and expenses.

100%. When I sold stuff on eBay I used that phrase, but I also included many clear photos. I did not want any issues.

Yes, I understand that but the question remains why now? Sellers have been selling without the message for over 25 years so what has changed? Is it Ebay policy all of a sudden?

The other problem I see is that it's okay for a seller to have his/her "get out of jail free" card with that handy little message, but if you're going to expect buyers to rely on your photos, then at least provide good photos and many more of them than most seem to offer. Take a portable gramophone for example, how many sellers will even bother to show the outside case condition? Very, very few in my experience.

I used that phrase for the fussiest of buyers. I think it's just lazy and unprofessional not to be clear, and has become a sort-cut. It will not work if a strong argument can be made.

I bought a slotted crank off of eBay. It had damage on the slotted end and was written and pictured. No problem, it still works fine. I got it, some of the wooden handle was missing, not written or pictured. I send a message to the seller pointing it out in words and a photo. I also said I was keeping it as is and that he should have at least shown it. He as not nice in his reply, as if it happens often. I clearly told him that I was being informative and he was wrong in his reply to me. This was a professional sounding as if he has had enough and was blaming the customer, but it was his own doing.

James.

I am a collector so I'm a buyer far more than a seller but I do on rare occasions sell things too. It does annoy me when sellers try to blame buyers for their mistakes. If there are faults which are obvious, please point them out. If they don't appear in photos, then describe them in words. Don't hide stuff. I think sadly it's human nature for a lot of people to hide behind the "Oh, sorry, I never spotted that!" position and expect the buyer to stomach it and live with their mistakes. It's not fair, it's not professional and it's not honest. I'm 55. I haven't had my eyesight properly checked in 20 years and I know it's not the best but it's funny how I can spot an obvious defect in a machine upon removing it from the packaging when a seller can claim they never noticed it. I'm supposed to believe they never noticed it when they bought it, have owned it for a while, have photographed it, uploaded pictures to Ebay and then wrapped it after it sells. I just don't buy that argument. Or does everybody walk around blind-folded? I've dealt with my (un)fair share of unscrupulous sellers over the years but I would never try to abuse the system for financial gain as some people have hinted that some buyers do. If sellers are fair with me, I'm completely fair back. That's how it works. Some sellers have accepted their mistakes and offered small discounts here and there if I want to keep stuff. More often than not I do because sending things back can be a complete hassle but even with the discount I still have to live with something with defects I might not have bought if I'd been able to see it beforehand. It's not about buyers trying to get everything cheap or maybe even for free. I see it more as a review process and re-valuation of the item when both parties have had an equal chance to see it and agree what it's worth.