Ebay help - item shrunk in wash by seller?

Aileen_Una

Hiya, I've bought and sold a few low value things on ebay, never any bother.

I bought a playsuit I really liked in Topshop, went home and found it on Ebay cheaper. Seller sells a lot of high street, lots of positive feedback all going for decent, if not shop, prices.

I received it today and it is much smaller than the one I bought from the shop (and then returned).

I realise items vary in size even within the shop but this is an awful lot, and it smells of washing powder whereas the item is dry clean only.

The item has a different pattern on the buttons too, but I am sure it is not fake, it is so exact, in every way, down to the pattern on the zip! I would imagine Topshop would use whatever buttons were available, same overall affect achieved (same colour size shape etc).

Any advice on how to proceed? It is real, and nothing wrong, but really not the size 10 as described anymore. It fits but not as well. Do I have cause to contact the buyer and ask to return in (no returns as per their page). I hate confrontation and just want this to go smoothly!

Many thanks, in advance.

Kestrel

Aileen_Una wrote: »

I bought a playsuit I really liked in Topshop, went home and found it on Ebay cheaper. Seller sells a lot of high street, lots of positive feedback all going for decent, if not shop, prices.

Is the seller a business or private seller?
Was it listed as new/used?
Did you ask for any measurements prior to purchasing/bidding?

jazabelle

Kestrel wrote: »

Is the seller a business or private seller?
Was it listed as new/used?
Did you ask for any measurements prior to purchasing/bidding?

If you had just gone into a shop and purchased a size x, and it fit perfectly, then found the exact one online for the same size, I think it would be pretty reasonable to assume it would be the same size. It wouldn't occur to me that there would be a huge difference of size x in the same top.

Aileen_Una

Private seller I think, listed as used, didn't ask for any measurements because it said size 10 and I'd tried the exact same one on.

As I don't think the shop would vary that much I am wondering whether it was shrunk in a home wash and that hasn't been mentioned. And if so, I doubt they'd admit it so how would trying to get it refunded go?

It cost enough for me to be willing to pay return recorded postage.

Kestrel

Well as it's a private seller their not obliged to accept returns if it's as listed. What I would do in your position is email the seller and say that the garment is much smaller than what you expected from a Top Shop size 10 and that unfortunately it doesn't fit, ask them if they will consider accepting a refund if you pay the return costs. See what response you get and take it from there.

cyberbob

Kestrel wrote: »

Well as it's a private seller their not obliged to accept returns if it's as listed. What I would do in your position is email the seller and say that the garment is much smaller than what you expected from a Top Shop size 10 and that unfortunately it doesn't fit, ask them if they will consider accepting a refund if you pay the return costs. See what response you get and take it from there.

I would also mention the washing smell if I was the OP. If the item is not as described which if its dry clean only and has been washed it is. The OP needs to open a not as described dispute if the seller wont accept back. Then the op will have to return for a full refund

.

hermum

Showing my age here, a playsuit is that a 1 piece trousers & top, or short & top all in one? If so would anyone seriously dry clean it? I don't even dry clean wool coats, my daughter has ones with cashmere & they go in the wool cycle of the machine, they've never shrunk or gone out of shape.

Giggles_Fairy

Have to say I dont think you have a case for item not as described.

Sizing of items can change between batches. You state it fits, just not as well. I have seen people try jeans on in Topshop and hold them up to each other and they vary by over an inch in the waist even though they are the same size. The seller hasnt lied, its a size 10 topshop. You state the button are slightly different so it could be that its not only a different batch but maybe even a different supplier than the playsuit you tried on.

I think the most you can do is message the seller and ask that if you were to return at your cost and only ask for a refund of the cost of the item (not the postage) and then do a mutual cancellations (not sure if you can do this after a refund? but It would mean they recieve their FVF back) then could you return it. If you claim they have been dishonest in their listing you will probably just annoy them and they wont co-operate.

You mist just have to take it on the chin and chalk it up to experience. Maybe resell and go buy the one from Topshop that fits you correctly.

Aileen_Una

Hermun - sort of, but its tailored suiting, not just casual, made from wool and silk.

Giggles Fairy - not claiming anyone was dishonest, after all she hadn't stated that she hadn't washed it, IYSWIM.

I messaged her and asked, explaining it was a good few inches once measured smaller than mine and just asked if it had been washed. She didn't say whether it had but told me to send it back, so all good, glad it worked out ok!

Thanks for the advice.

Giggles_Fairy

I was just trying to warn you to be careful how you worded it as if someone messaged me saying 'Its smaller than one I got from the shop so you have obviously washed it and shrunk it' I would think twice about going out of my way to help them. Im glad you had more sense than to do this And Im glad the seller it sorting it for you