Item not as described - do I pay return postage?

Felicity

Hi,

I bought an item of clothing from ebay which was described as used but in good condition.

It turned out to be in terrible condition, totally unwearable, really scruffy.

I mentioned it to the seller and they said they would refund if I return it but that I would have to pay postage both ways - is this correct if the item is significantly not as described?

Thank you in advance, Felicity.

Crowqueen

You should not have to pay either set of postage but the seller cannot be forced to refund your return postage.

If you raise a dispute then you will get your original postage back but will have to send the item back tracked at your own expense unless you win eBay's lucky prize draw and get a prepaid postage label.

With this sort of response I would open a dispute - you are probably not going to persuade anyone who sends out an item in an obviously poor condition to return postage costs. Non-positive feedback would also be forthcoming.

I must say situations like this is why I don't buy clothes from private sellers on eBay.

kev225

How much did the item cost?

You have to pay the return postage, the seller has to refund the item price and original postage.

Though if they are being awkward you may have to raise it to a dispute which means you have to return it tracked, which costs more.

A politely worded but assertive message highlighting the sellers responsibility to a full refund might prompt them to play nice.

edit: Crowqueen you beat me to it

shaun_from_Africa

Once you've completed a dispute and received your refund (as already mentioned, this will be for the full amount that you originally paid), a well worded neg for your seller may change their mind about refunding you the return postage cost, especially if they don't have too high a feedback score.

Don't mention anything to your seller about feedback (as this may be seen as feedback extortion), and just leave something factual such as:

"Not as described. Seller refused to cover postage costs"