New Sterling Silver Product - Light scratches normal?

Shrimply

Hi guys,

I hope this is a suitable place, I wasn't really sure but I'm sure someon here can help.

I've opened a parcel this morning and I'm feeling a little bit gutted. I'm not someone who is used to the finer things in life, or rather try to avoid them. But I have bought a pair of sterling silver cufflinks as a gift on ebay. I spend a lot of time deliberating over the right ones and spent more than I really intended to.

I got them for a good price, but the seller sells a lot of stuff from the same Silversmith so I presumed that they'd be brand new. The seller's communication has been brilliant. They came really well packaged and the box ( from the correct Silversmith) is pristine.

However, after unwrapping the cufflinks which were individually wrapped inside the case there is light scratching all over the face, and a couple of slightly deeper scratches too. I know the metal scratches easily, but I wasn't expecting there to be any marks on a brand new item. Is it expected with silver?

Thanks

Flyonthewall

Shrimply wrote: »

I got them for a good price, but the seller sells a lot of stuff from the same Silversmith so I presumed that they'd be brand new. The seller's communication has been brilliant. They came really well packaged and the box ( from the correct Silversmith) is pristine.

However, after unwrapping the cufflinks which were individually wrapped inside the case there is light scratching all over the face, and a couple of slightly deeper scratches too. I know the metal scratches easily, but I wasn't expecting there to be any marks on a brand new item. Is it expected with silver?

Thanks

What does the listing state? Are they listed as new? Just because the seller sells a lot from the same silversmith does not mean that they are new, that's why listings have conditions stated.

They've obviously been handled if the seller has individually wrapped each one, but they should have been handled with care. If new though then it certainly shouldn't have scratches, especially deep ones. They should have been kept, untouched, in their box if brand new and had no way of becoming scratched.

Shrimply

That's what I thought about the wrapping

They were sold as "New with tags" as are all the other products

I've added some pictures

sham63

You're clearly unhappy with them, so return them.
As it's a business seller, you are perfectly entitled to do so.

Shrimply

Well they are a gift, one which I put a lot of time and effort into choosing, so the fact that I having nothing to present on the day now is pretty upsetting. But that's personal.

The real question was, is that an acceptable state for new sterling silver to be in?

If I'm just unhappy with them then I have to pay return postage, if the consensus is not as described that obviously it's the sellers responsibility.

I feel bad as the seller has been really nice and friendly, and they were posted signed-for next day even though I didn't pay the extra for it. But I opened them up and my heart just sank.

Flyonthewall

Yeah, they certainly don't look new, although with reflections it's harder to tell on a photo just how bad they are.

Well your options are either keep them (you could try for a partial refund, but the seller may say no) or send them back for a full refund.

The seller, I assume, is listed as a business seller? They should pay return postage by law. Make sure they're sent tracked.

Shrimply

Thanks,

Glad to get a second opinion. Yes it's a business seller, they've been really nice, which makes it harder, but I do feel a little bit cheated. They must have known.

Going to give it the weekend to calm down and show my boyfriend so he knows I have actually tried to buy him something, and it's not all just a rubbish excuse haha

Guess you can't win them all. It's just gutting when you've put so much time and effort into trying to choose the right thing.

stormbreaker

I would contact the seller and arrange return sooner rather than later.

You have made an effort have photos to prove to your boyfriend.

Differant, but I purchased shoes from a business on eBay, they were new but when they arrived they were cheap and nasty and ever so slightly differant to the picture on eBay.

They accepted the return without quibble and refunded money including postage.

I left them positive feed back because their customer service was exepilary.

BTW- they do look a little scratched.

Flyonthewall

Yeah, it is. Don't leave it too long before sending them back.

They're a business so returns should be expected and, regardless of how nice they are being, if they're knowingly selling scratched (possibly used or returned) items and claiming they're all brand new then they're really not a good seller. So don't feel bad about returning them or leaving feedback that reflects your experience.

Shrimply

Thanks,

I will let you know how I get on. I'm so careful when buying anything that costs much on ebay, the seller has 100% positive feedback but cufflinks don't seem to be one of their standard products. Even though they do primarily sell items from the same Silversmith. It's a little bit strange.

Really appreciate the advice though from all of you

rach_k

Something to consider is that cuff links can get pretty beaten up in use, depending on how careful the wearer is. I would contact the seller and ask if they would consider a partial refund *if* your OH decides to keep them anyway (we probably would, as I know my OH would scratch them up fairly quickly!). Then you get to show him you chose something for him and give him the choice - keep them as they are with a little extra to spend on a bottle of wine or something, or return them for pristine ones. It's always good to have options