Buyer says my item is the wrong colour...?

J3nesis

In short - I have sold a bit on eBay before, had a clearout and put some clothes up. One item was an esprit jacket, in a very light brown/beige, with dark brown leather belt. Lots of pictures in bright light against a white background, the usual stuff. I even checked with another person and they said beige too.

Winning bidder now wants to return it because the jacket is "grey".

What do I do? I recognise that colour is subjective, so she might see it as grey for whatever reason, but with all the photos and the clear description (and a big "ask for more photos/details if you need" link) I think it's a bit cheeky to try and return something because she doesn't like what she actually got. She even pulled the "I bought it for a special occasion and now I can't wear it" line.

I've only sold a few things on eBay and the last thing I want is an item not as described ding or negative feedback.

What should I do?

theonlywayisup

If you don't want a INAD 'ding' or negative feedback, the only way to try and avoid it is to offer to refund on return.

Let's face it, if they open a case they will be asked to return it.

J3nesis

Thanks for that, looks like that's what I have to do. Seems a shame.

hollydays

I sometimes photo item next to a well know product of the primary colour to allow for comparison.heinz tomato sauce, perrier label , Jacobs crackers!!

soolin

hollydays wrote: »

I sometimes photo item next to a well know product of the primary colour to allow for comparison.heinz tomato sauce, perrier label , Jacobs crackers!!

The problem is if ebay decide to police their photo policy it could well end up getting the listing pulled. Having said that I do still risk photographing some of my items against a tape measure or coin, but make sure that photo is not the main one.

mrcol1000

It really doesn't matter what you do. Some people buy things, can't fit into them and then find another reason to be unhappy. Just ask them to return it and tell them you will refund on return. Block them and then relist. I have had to do this a number of times. The best was for a piece of clothing that was black but had a white pattern round the neck. Had lots of photos of the item. Buyer complained I had listed it as black when it wasn't completely black. Request return. Block. Refund. Relist.

shaun_from_Africa

hollydays wrote: »

I sometimes photo item next to a well know product of the primary colour to allow for comparison.heinz tomato sauce, perrier label , Jacobs crackers!!

Have you ever received a message from one of your buyers:


"Thanks for the XXXX which was delivered today. Unfortunately you seem to have forgotten to include the bottle of tomato ketchup that was shown in the listing"

kalsha

soolin wrote: »

The problem is if ebay decide to police their photo policy it could well end up getting the listing pulled. Having said that I do still risk photographing some of my items against a tape measure or coin, but make sure that photo is not the main one.

Am I missing something here? What is wrong with that? Most of my photos have a ruler or a coin next to it - esp if sizing is important. And that is always my main photo.

Alexandria1121

My own line, although I'm only a seller in a very small way, is to include in my descriptions that if buyers are unhappy with their purchase for any reason, contact me. In this case I wouldn't worry about their wonky colour vision, I'd just refund on return in good nick, relist and then block them as a buyer in future.

I like the idea of photographing items next to something of known colour, but perhaps one would have to think of something that could not possibly be assumed included in the sale - the back lawn for instance! I notice a lot of sellers photograph a drinks can alongside to show scale, but that's open to the same objections as a ketchup bottle. Do Ebay ever object to such pics? I have seen lots of them.

soolin

kalsha wrote: »

Am I missing something here? What is wrong with that? Most of my photos have a ruler or a coin next to it - esp if sizing is important. And that is always my main photo.

The new policy which came in last year is for clear photos with nothing additional in them, no background, no text no decoration or border and no 'other' objects. It does not appear to be rigidly enforced though.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

It does not appear to be enforced though.

I've corrected that for you.

The policy just appears to say no borders, text or logos, eBay even advise:

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/sell/photo_tutorial.html
Show scale, eg place a coin or a ruler next to the item to show its size