ebay - feel like I've been ripped off, can anyone advise?

gemmaj

I bought this item;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180754960198
to go in my Biorb 60 fishtank. In the listing it states

fits most 60 litre Biorb tanks (see size below)
Size Approx: L16cm x W16cm x H32cm

Its no-where near 16cm. Its 19cm: which won't fit in my biorb 60. They have offered me my money back but won't pay return postage - the item is huge and heavy and is going to cost me quite a lot to post back.

I have emailed them again asking them to reconsider - I chose this item specifically because it mentioned biorb 60s and gave the measurements. Do I have any other options?

withabix

How much does it weigh?

Did you ask if it would specifically fit your Biorb before you bought it? (It does say fits most, not fits all)

Put in a SNAD claim on eBay and see what they say - not sure if that will get you the return postage back.

soolin

OPen a claim for SNAD in ebay, you will be virtually guaranteed to win it. Occasionally ebay will issue a returns label- if not find the cheapest courier who will track to delivery (we have experts on here who can help) send it back and get your refund.

Ask seller once more to repay return postage, if they say no leave a neg and poor stars in appropriate categories (1 or 2 * for p and p, communication and despatch) and wait to see if seller tries to buy the feedback from you. Many will, they suddenly decide they can refund the return postage after all if you remove the feedback.

Do not threaten feedback, in fact don't mention it at all, and word your neg carefully. Be prepared for it not to work though and make sure you choose a courier that will update online when they attempt delivery

System

I don't see it as a failure by the seller. He did say fits 'most'. Why didn't you make any checks to ensure that it would actually fit your type as there are different styles of your tank?

Quick check on the net for this item (Rosewood SKU 915712) from other suppliers say the size is 16 * 16 * 32 (including Rosewood themselves)

RainbowDrops

Overall their feedback looks good, although some of their responses to negs are firey.

I'd follow Soolin's advice.
Just word your message carefully so as not to rile them.

Use the "!!!!!!" sandwich method (ie, complement, problem, complement).

Eg: Thank you for your quick response, and for the initial good service you have provided.
While I appreciate your kind offer of a refund, I am still going to be out of pocket paying for return postage. Unfortunately the measurements you provided on the listing were 3cm out, and the item should have fitted my tank had the measurements been as stated.
I have found a quote to return the item to you for £XX.
As the rest of your service has been very good, with the only problem being an error in your listing, I would be most grateful if you would consider covering the cost of the return postage.

gemmaj

Thanks for all responses. They have refused to refund P&P and I have opened a SNAD. I suspect I will end up paying a fortune to the post office, however.

!!!!!!, I can't help but feel that is a little harsh. Not only do I have a standard size biorb 60, but they gave a measurement of 16cm. I checked the measurements before ordering. 16cm would fit fine, but it isn't 16cm. Its 19cm. I thought checking the measurements would be sufficient - I didn't think they would be 3cm out!

pinkshoes

gemmaj wrote: »

Thanks for all responses. They have refused to refund P&P and I have opened a SNAD. I suspect I will end up paying a fortune to the post office, however.

Why not take the previous advice and send it with a courier? It will probably be much cheaper than royal mail!

System

gemmaj wrote: »

!!!!!!, I can't help but feel that is a little harsh. Not only do I have a standard size biorb 60, but they gave a measurement of 16cm. I checked the measurements before ordering. 16cm would fit fine, but it isn't 16cm. Its 19cm. I thought checking the measurements would be sufficient - I didn't think they would be 3cm out!

Fair enough if you think my comment was harsh, we are all entitled to opinions. Iit doesn't change the fact that the opinion of at least 3 people who sell them including Rosewood the makers say it is 16cm.

Are you sure that you haven't been sent the centre piece trunk rather than the corner trunk. Centre trunk is advertised as 20cm

QuackQuackOops

gemmaj wrote: »

Thanks for all responses. They have refused to refund P&P and I have opened a SNAD. I suspect I will end up paying a fortune to the post office, however.

!!!!!!, I can't help but feel that is a little harsh. Not only do I have a standard size biorb 60, but they gave a measurement of 16cm. I checked the measurements before ordering. 16cm would fit fine, but it isn't 16cm. Its 19cm. I thought checking the measurements would be sufficient - I didn't think they would be 3cm out!

If you open a SNAD dispute with Ebay and let Ebay know that it would not be financially viable for you to send it back then they may either send you a prepaid postage label or give you a refund without the need of returning although thats an off chance with it being a bit more expensive.

If they send you a label (actually it is one that you can print off yourself) you take the parcel to the post office. The post office will then give you a recorded delivery number which you then input into the dispute.
Ebay usually refund within 24 hours after having used one of their labels.

You can also report the seller to trading standards as his returns policy is illegal.

editesztan

I use this courier company:
collectplus.co.uk
£3.99 up to 2kg
£4.99 2kg to 5kg
£6.99 5kg to 10kg

bartman100

Whatever you do, do not send via Royal Mail, go to https://www.interparcel.com I use these for all my big, heavy deliveries and they are brilliant. I usually use UPS and pay £10 including VAT for a parcel weighing up to 25kg they do offer cheaper ones on there like Hermes and Yodel but i have had bad experiences with these. You can print all the paperwork off at home stick to the box and wait for UPS to pick up and they will deliver next day. If you need any help give me a shout willing to help anytime.