EBay item more worn than led to believe

Miró

I have recently purchased a Mulberry Bayswater leather bag which the seller purchased two years ago and the description reads - 'absolutely brilliant condition', 'used once or twice then packed carefully and lovingly away in its dust bag, 'used only a couple of times, 'literally been used just a handful of times - in excellent, as new condition' and 'it really is like new'. To begin with I was more concerned about the item being a genuine Mulberry bag but I have no worries on that score. However, straight away I noticed that the front corners of the base of the bag are very faded and it bothers me! (The way that the bag was photographed avoided showing this and it will be noticeable when in use.) I am aware that this type of leather does wear like this eventually as it is a natural veg tanning process they use but I am surprised that it would be like this already if actually as new and well looked after as described.

I don't know what to do. Should I just accept it in the knowledge that it would age like this anyway or should I express my concern and disappointment to the seller, (and if so how do I word it?). I do not wish to return the bag but I would like the seller to know that I am not entirely happy with the transaction. It was an expensive purchase -these bags currently retail at £895 and I paid £550.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

theonlywayisup

Only you can decide if it isn't as described.

The fact the seller contradicts herself would have prevented me from bidding. Used once or twice. Used a couple of times, a handful.

Once is once, twice is two times. But a handful, well, that's neither once nor twice.

I would message them and let them know it's not as you expected from their description, state it's condition and the fact the offending part wasn't photographed. Something along the lines - thank you for quick delivery, unfortunately there are marks/fading to the bag at x location which weren't highlighted or mentioned on the listing. In view of that, I would like to return it to you for a refund…..

If they don't play ball, open a return request. Ebay will supply you a label, but for that amount, I would use Special Delivery as the tracked label ebay give only insures up to £50 and it isn't yet clear who can claim if lost/damaged.

asajj

I'd think that they would need to put photographs showing such details. I suppose, you wouldn't mind if you knew the exact condition and you'd still purchase it but now it feels like a bit of con, am i right?

Perhaps, take the photos of what you mention and send them to the seller- stating you would pay less if you knew the item was worn out.

Haffiana

I would return the item and give the seller low stars. This is clearly an attempt to mislead. I know you want the bag, but if you wait another one will come along in the condition that you want for that price.

Tell the seller that you feel the item is not as described, and that you would not have agreed to pay that much for a bag in this condition. They may offer a refund which brings the bag price to one that you feel is fair for its condition.

I see this a lot on eBay. If information is missing in the listing, eg that particular photo angle, then it is not an accident. Not with a high cost item like this.

Miró

Thank you everyone for your comments...I am still thinking things over and trying to come to terms with my disappointment! (Yes asajj....it does indeed now feel like a bit of a con!)

I've been thinking about the 'packed carefully and lovingly away in its dust bag' bit. Actually the dust bag was grubby and had a couple of stains, and the bag was sent to me without any internal stuffing to preserve it's shape and was just wrapped in an old woolly scarf and then wrapped in a black bin bag!! No box or protective covering. Quite unbelievable really for such a high cost item! Also, I've now inspected it minutely and have realised that the suede inside is liberally sprinkled with glitter! The more I think about it the madder I'm getting.....

Anyhoo...I have taken lots of photos, in different lights, and when I've calmed down a bit tomorrow I will contact the seller, express my dismay and disappointment and suggest that the bag is not as described and see what she has to say.

Many thanks once again.....

theonlywayisup

Mir! wrote: »

Thank you everyone for your comments...I am still thinking things over and trying to come to terms with my disappointment! (Yes asajj....it does indeed now feel like a bit of a con!)

I've been thinking about the 'packed carefully and lovingly away in its dust bag' bit. Actually the dust bag was grubby and had a couple of stains, and the bag was sent to me without any internal stuffing to preserve it's shape and was just wrapped in an old woolly scarf and then wrapped in a black bin bag!! No box or protective covering. Quite unbelievable really for such a high cost item! Also, I've now inspected it minutely and have realised that the suede inside is liberally sprinkled with glitter! The more I think about it the madder I'm getting.....

Anyhoo...I have taken lots of photos, in different lights, and when I've calmed down a bit tomorrow I will contact the seller, express my dismay and disappointment and suggest that the bag is not as described and see what she has to say.

Many thanks once again.....

My only comment would be, if you are going to claim SNAD, do it sooner rather than later. Otherwise it smacks of someone wanting to use it for an occasion and return it later…...

Miró

I have been in touch with the seller this morning and expressed my concerns, in particular saying that I would not have bid so much if I had known more about the condition of the bag. I got a very swift response insisting that the bag is like new and that the photos and description were accurate but offering a small refund as a gesture of goodwill. I responded suggesting a higher figure and she accepted and thanked me for my understanding!! I have since received notification of the refund in my PayPal account.

So it has all been settled fairly amicably in the end and I will now invest some of the refund in some leather restorer stuff to see if I can improve the fading!

I'm just wondering now about feedback?? I want to be fair and honest but not brutal??? Any thoughts as to how I should handle this please?

gunsandbanjos

£550 for a not great condition Bayswater is very expensive!

Check out labelsmostwanted http://labelsmostwanted.co.uk/stock/page/3/?orderby=date

She has 3 bays for sale, great seller, highly recommended.

theonlywayisup

You called the shots and the seller responded. Personally for me I can't see anything other than a positive experience.

Condition is an opinion and if you were not going to be completely happy with the increased reimbursement, you shouldn't have accepted it.

Rikki

Mir! wrote: »

I have been in touch with the seller this morning and expressed my concerns, in particular saying that I would not have bid so much if I had known more about the condition of the bag. I got a very swift response insisting that the bag is like new and that the photos and description were accurate but offering a small refund as a gesture of goodwill. I responded suggesting a higher figure and she accepted and thanked me for my understanding!! I have since received notification of the refund in my PayPal account.

So it has all been settled fairly amicably in the end and I will now invest some of the refund in some leather restorer stuff to see if I can improve the fading!

I'm just wondering now about feedback?? I want to be fair and honest but not brutal??? Any thoughts as to how I should handle this please?

The seller offered a goodwill gesture and then increased it to a figure you chose, both politely and quickly.

I think you should leave positive feedback as any problem you felt you may have had was resolved to your satisfaction.

I would write something along the lines of - Good communication, initial problem resolved satisfactory. Thank you.

Miró

gunsandbanjos wrote: »

£550 for a not great condition Bayswater is very expensive!

Check out labelsmostwanted http://labelsmostwanted.co.uk/stock/page/3/?orderby=date

She has 3 bays for sale, great seller, highly recommended.

Hi there and thanks for your interest. I have been looking regularly on the LMW site as well as the NaughtyPidginsNest site, (and been looking for tip offs on the Purse Forum), but failed to find the particular colour I wanted. I have ended up paying £500 now after a £50 refund), for the bag that I was looking for and that has been authenticated and is structurally sound - just a little faded on the corners! Although a couple of applications of Collonil have improved matters a little. Anyhoo, I have learned a lesson and will not be going down the EBay route again for bags!