Help with returning a DVD box set

Sophie._2

I bought a DVD box set from someone on ebay last week. It was described and listed as in new condition however when it arrived it had quite a few dents on the outer box and the bottom of the box was coming away (it's a big box set, so not a flimsy slip cover).
Obviously I'm not happy so I opened a case to return the box set to the seller for a full refund.
The seller has responded saying that before he sent the box set he had noticed a 'couple of dents' but that he hadn't noticed that the bottom of the box was coming away and that if I returned it to him in the condition it was sent he would refund me minus the shipping costs.
From what he said it seems like he might be implying that I caused the damage or that it was damaged on it's way to me. The box he sent it in is in perfect condition so there's no way it was damaged on it's way to me.
What can I do if he blames me for the damage? And is he allowed to not refund me the postage I paid to him?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

celestius

Is this a business or private seller?

glentoran99

Yes he has every right not to refund the postage costs

Sophie._2

I think they're private but I'm not sure how I'd be able to tell?
They told me they bought it from amazon and it arrived with the dents, so they were selling it from their own collection so I guess that makes them private?

Sophie._2

glentoran99 wrote: »

Yes he has every right not to refund the postage costs

Okay thank you. I thought because when I opened the case the option was to return it for a full refund which meant I would be refunded everything I paid as it was their mistake but if that's not the case then I'll let it drop.

RFW

glentoran99 wrote: »

Yes he has every right not to refund the postage costs

If it's described as new and perfect and received as not new and perfect then the seller does not have any rights to refuse to refund postage costs. He should be paying for return post and refund the initial transaction.
That said, the tricky part is to get him to pay what he should. Through Ebay you will get the full amount paid for the original transaction including postage.

notbritishgas

Sophie. wrote: »

Okay thank you. I thought because when I opened the case the option was to return it for a full refund which meant I would be refunded everything I paid as it was their mistake but if that's not the case then I'll let it drop.

You are correct, if the case is closed in your favour then all original costs including postage will be refunded.

glentoran99

Sophie. wrote: »

Okay thank you. I thought because when I opened the case the option was to return it for a full refund which meant I would be refunded everything I paid as it was their mistake but if that's not the case then I'll let it drop.

notbritishgas wrote: »

You are correct, if the case is closed in your favour then all original costs including postage will be refunded.

What about the cost of return though no chance of getting him to pay,

theonlywayisup

glentoran99 wrote: »

What about the cost of return though no chance of getting him to pay,

If he is a business, he is legally bound to pay.

That said, actually getting him to pay isn't straight forward.

The OP may like to ask Ebay for a prepaid tracked returns label, they do sometimes oblige.

Sophie._2

Thanks everyone. So if they don't agree to refund all that I paid including postage should I wait to escalate the case?

I did get an email from ebay this morning before the seller responded to the case saying they would pay the return postage costs. I'm guessing I'd get a prepaid tracked returns label once a return is agreed?

usefulmale

If the seller is mandated into managed returns, you can print off a return label, which the seller will pay for.