eBay issue WWYD?

[SpaceGal]

UGH so this is my first time buying something off of eBay clothing wise. I bought this white silk dress that I wanted 2 years ago, (I was preggers with my baby but didn't know the sex so I never bought the dress, but now I have a baby girl and thought the dress would be perfect for a baptism). Anywho, I buy the dress and I even asked the seller for more pictures. She never really stated the condition other than that it was worn once and has been sitting the the dry cleaning bag since 2007. The pictures looked fine, bad lighting as she stated and she also noted that it probably just needs a good ironing. So I thought the dress would be in excellent condition...wrong of me to assume but I guess I tend to think most people are honest and stuff. I'm not usually like that but I just assumed that in this situation.

I get the dress today and the bodice has a huge water stain so it's yellowed a bit...nothing noticeable from a far but it's there and I can see it. It was the first thing I saw when I pulled it out of the bag! Then the the diaper cover has a little stain...blood or poop...but since the inside of the diaper cover I won't be too annoyed...but all in all I am. To top it all off she stated that shipping was like $7 bucks...and of course it was just $5. I know it's just 2 bucks but I just feel a little cheated though I could be to blame for not asking enough questions. Granted I only paid $13.60 total but still I can't help but feel a little unhappy with my purchase.

I did email the seller to say thank you for the prompt shipping but I did note to tell her the dress was stained and what not. Should I have bothered? I dunno.

Teaches me to ever buy anything off eBay that's used.

[new_mommy25]

That's terrible. You can ask her to return the dress or get a 50% refund. I have done that when items arrived in a condition worse than what was stated. I have been burned a few times off ebay so now I no longer buy clothes from there unless they are used or I am confident with the seller.

[Pennylane]

Did you read the sellers return policy before you ordered? You might have a tough time getting anything from them since the condition was not stated in the listing.

I would email the seller and let them know you are not happy with the condition of the dress and see if they offer you a partial credit or anything.

As far as the shipping, If it was listed as $7 and you didn't try to get them to lower it, you are probably out of luck. You can report them for high shipping fees though when you leave feed back.

Ann

[KrisM]

Probably not worth it to return it, since it'll cost you $5 to ship it back. I'd point out the stains and see what she offers. I wouldn't start with a request for a partial refund, as a seller might think you are not truthful and be irritated.

As for a $2 handling fee, while it's a bit high, I don't think it's completely unreasonable. It covers packaging, labels, time to pack and ship, etc. Personally, I charge $.70 on clothing, but I think I'm on the lower side.

[KrisM]

Originally Posted by Pennylane

As far as the shipping, If it was listed as $7 and you didn't try to get them to lower it, you are probably out of luck. You can report them for high shipping fees though when you leave feed back.

Ann

I really don't think adding $2 for handling should be reflected in feedback. Yes, I'm talking as a seller, but what if she has a 20 minute drive to the PO, so it costs $1 in gas. And, did it come in a bag or a box? Was it a free USPS box or did she purchase it? Was the label printed on her printer? Labels and ink aren't free. Shipping and handling charges are more than just postage costs.

[SpaceGal]

Originally Posted by KrisM

I really don't think adding $2 for handling should be reflected in feedback. Yes, I'm talking as a seller, but what if she has a 20 minute drive to the PO, so it costs $1 in gas. And, did it come in a bag or a box? Was it a free USPS box or did she purchase it? Was the label printed on her printer? Labels and ink aren't free. Shipping and handling charges are more than just postage costs.

Very true, and I won't be saying anything about the shipping costs since I didn't factor in gas, time and supplies. I'm also on the lower end of shipping costs as well when I am the seller, but in this case, I didn't ask for a lower shipping rate and it's not too far off so that's fine.

I will probably just keep the dress and see if it can be "fixed" but all in all just a little annoyed and needed to share and get opinions on how to handle the situation. I supposed I also felt bad "complaining" to the seller when I know that maybe it's my fault for not asking enough questions.

A lesson learned I guess.

[veronica]

I have learned my lesson as well and sorry to hear how many experiences like this people have.
I bought a great hanna andersson playdress recently that was listed as "looks like it has never been worn". I was a bit wary (and should have known it was too good to be true) since I couldn't figure out how the seller didn't know if it was worn or not (perhaps they have a consignment shop or are selling for others). When I got it, it had been washed and worn as the cotton was pretty thin. Although there were no visible flaws, being the hanna fan I am , I did let the seller know it was definitely worn! I never heard back via email but they refunded my total price paid. They were a very honest and conscientious seller and for that I am glad, but I am so sick and tired of buying things that are listed as "excellent" condition with poop stains on them-seriously, if that's excellent condition to a seller, I'd hate to see what "play condition" means in their book.......I have kind of had it with ebay.....

[KrisM]

Originally Posted by veronica

I was a bit wary (and should have known it was too good to be true) since I couldn't figure out how the seller didn't know if it was worn or not (perhaps they have a consignment shop or are selling for others).

A lot of sellers buy for resale. We buy at Salvation Army, garage sales, consignment stores, etc.

That said, I try to be as objective as I can and really point out anything that could be seen as a flaw. "looks like it hasn't been worn" is way to wishy-washy, I think.

I am close to done with buying on ebay, too.

[huskermama77]

I think that stains should ALWAYS be stated. That's not just used, it's stained. I would ask for some partial refund or at least cover the cost of dry cleaning. As for the shipping charges, I always charge a $2 handling fee which is clearly stated in my listing as I have to pay for packaging and driving back and forth to the post office.