Misdescribed item but don't want to return it - compensation of some kind?

Spooz

I received a dress I had bought on eBay the other day. It cost about £20 and is a full length blue gown from the 1950s. However, the listing stated it was in 'excellent' condition and it clearly isn't. The seller had photos of a dark mark on the front but the same marks appear near the top and part of the outer fabric has worn away completely under the arms. The seams are coming apart in three places at the back.

Now, here's the rub.

I sent a message to the seller, essentially saying the above, and she has replied saying that she is an honest seller, owns a shop, has 100% positive feedback, etc. She says if I am that unhappy I should return the dress for a full refund. I don't want to do that because I know I can mend the dress to my satisfaction and it is fundamentally nice. However, I do want to impress upon her that I am unhappy, the item was misdescribed and she should be more careful and meticulous in future.

I don't want to leave negative feedback as she is being very helpful and responsive, and it seems too harsh.

What, as a buyer or seller, would you do in this situation?

justjohn

Tell here exactly what you have said here....Then send back if you do not get what you want.

Sellers get it hard on ebay as many buyers attempt to scam sellers. There are now more scam buyers than sellers now.

It may be an honest mistake. Please try too be realistic and fair.

sam.4000

Too many seller have been stung with people who are after a partial refund. She has stated what ebay will tell you and you either need to return the dress for a full refund or accept the dress.

porto_bello

As a seller, I would have offered you a full refund on return of the dress (via signed for postage). If I then received a follow-up email from the buyer asking to renegotiate, I would refuse and conclude they were a 'chancer'.

As a buyer, if I was unhappy with the condition, I would not want the item regardless of price and I would have sent the seller an email asking for a full refund. After receiving a reply offering a full refund, I would have packaged it up, content that both I and the seller are 'above board'. I would not try to renegotiate the price with the seller, as it would look as though I am a chancer.

Spooz

I'm not expecting any money back - I made that clear in my message to the seller. I want to keep the dress and am happy for her to keep my money. However, I know how damaging negative feedback is to a seller and so I am reluctant to give it as she is being helpful, but I do want to make it clear that the item was not as described and that this is not acceptable for future listings. I just don't know how to do it.

justjohn

Spooz wrote: »

I'm not expecting any money back - I made that clear in my message to the seller. I want to keep the dress and am happy for her to keep my money. However, I know how damaging negative feedback is to a seller and so I am reluctant to give it as she is being helpful, but I do want to make it clear that the item was not as described and that this is not acceptable for future listings. I just don't know how to do it.

ok thats easy

If it was an honest mistake then it was exactly that.
If deliberate, sooner or later they will get someone that does not want too keep the item and neg them.

Dont trash there stars.

So leave them good feedback, put there was a small problem in the feedback. After all everyone can make a mistake.

Taadaa

Well you can leave a neutral and mark her down on her as described stars? If you don't want to return it for a refund, there isn't much the seller can do but apologise.

I concur what others have said, I do not offer partial refunds, ever.

ineed

justjohn wrote: »

ok thats easy

If it was an honest mistake then it was exactly that.
If deliberate, sooner or later they will get someone that does not want too keep the item and neg them.

So leave them good feedback, put there was a small problem in the feedback. After all everyone can make a mistake.

Exactly, I'd leave a positive feedback and just leave a comment saying not exactly as described but helpful polite seller or words to that effect.

Taadaa

Although I am confused as the title of this thread suggests that you are expecting a partial refund or something for nothing

Spooz

Taadaa wrote: »

Although I am confused as the title of this thread suggests that you are expecting a partial refund or something for nothing

Sorry, started typing the thread (was considering it) then had a think and carried on (because realised it wasn't fair) without looking at what I'd already typed properly.

porto_bello

My gut feeling is the seller doesn't deserve a negative. I would expect a new dress described to be in excellent condition to be pristine, but I would not expect the same standard of a 60 year-old one, bought for £20.

It's subjective, but I would not feel justified in negging the seller for the situation you describe.

Like Tadaa, I feel the title suggests you want to keep the item and a cash sweetner not to neg the seller.