Poor quality item - refund chances?

panpipe

I'm hoping that someone may be more of an eBay expert and can help me with this!

I bought a new bedding set for our spare room from an eBay shop, back in September. Since it's only been slept in once since this time I only washed the covers for the first time this week, to find that the colour ran all over both the bedding and the other clothes in the wash, to such an extent that they are all now unusable.

I contacted the seller to request a refund as I don't believe that this should have happened after the first wash so the item isn't a satisfactory quality. They sent what I thought was quite a sarcastic reply (not that this really matters!) saying that there's 'not much they can do to help' as it's outside their 14 day returns policy.

Is there anything I can do to pursue the matter or is it just a case of lesson learnt? I'd definitely push more for a refund in a physical shop but not sure where I stand with eBay!

TIA

Contains_Mild_Peril

The time limit for an eBay dispute is 45 days, so if you've missed this window you may have a hard job getting a refund. You can leave feedback up to 60 days after the transaction, but do not threaten the seller with a neg, since this is considered "feedback extortion" and could lead to the removal of your feedback.
What does the washing label on the bedding say? A lot of items are labelled "wash dark colours separately" or "wash with similar colours" (whether this is necessary or not). If there is no such instruction, you could theoretically have a case for damage to your other washing, but that would be via a small claims court rather than eBay. If the bedding itself is no longer fit for purpose after one wash, you should be entitled to a refund under the Sale of Goods Act if you bought from a business seller, but this may be difficult to enforce.
It might be worth politely sending the seller another message stating that you would like a refund under the Sale of Goods Act because the merchandise is unfit for its intended purpose.

panpipe

Thanks for your reply. It was a darker part on top of the mainly cream bedding that ran; one of those awkward ones where you can't separate colours as they're on the same item!

I was thinking along the lines of the Sale of Goods Act; might give that a try and see what they say.