help please! need advisefrom someone who knows the rules re returning item

[claudialyman]

Hi. I bid on a used chid's shirt described as being "in excellent condition" and hardly worn, from primark. I paid .99 plus 3.00 postage (am in ireland)It arrived and has a large red stain on the right cuff. Looks like the previous wearer was painting in it tbh. Its also very worn. Have asked to send it back and get full refund.

Have only recently started buying on ebay and am having trouble with the seller. He suggested I wash it and he gives me a partial refund. This won't work as it looks like the stain is well set into the fabric. He then offered I just throw it out and he refund me the purchase price (ie 99p but not the postage)as that would save me paying postage he says.

When I said I expected the 3.99 and a refund of my postage when I send it back he said "It is ebay rules" that I have to pay the return postage and he's trying to save me money? Surely this isn't the case when you are sent a stained item of clothing?

Am assuming he can see I am a newbie and is trying to take advantage. He is also telling me the postage I paid was £2 but I assume that part can be easily disproved.

He generally has good feedback and I am assuming this is an honest mistake but from his reply comments to the 2 people who left him a neg and a neutral he made very nasty personal comments.

Can anyone tell me clearly what the rules are? I knew enough from this forum to tell him the item is not as described but would love some advise before I get back to him!

[NewPinkPup]

He's right I'm afraid, you have to pay return postage.

[Knickers0nMaHead]

Yes, he is right. I would be inclined to just accept the 99p refund and keep the shirt for messy play.

[claudialyman]

will only cost me 1.25 to post i think (thats basically what postage on the packet actually cost him)so if i send it back does he then refund the 3.99? ie the 99 and the £3 p&p i paid? would love to have this straight in my head for the future! thanks!

Take your point about the messy play knickers, would just prefer to have £3 to put towards another shirt Ds can wear to school. and will see this as a learning exzperience. it is great MN has this section

[sixlostmonkeys]

the seller should refund the full amount paid ie 3.99 when the buyer returns it. the seller is not obliged to refund the return p&P but a good seller will.
If you return it you musct send it by trackable means to ensure you get a full refund

[PfftTheMagicDragon]

You should be refunded the full £3.99. As monkeys says, good sellers will refund your return postage, or TBH, as he knows it is stained, is not denying it and seems to accept it was his fault, he should tell you to chuck it and just refund you. He doesn't have to refund your return postage.

If you are worried that he is taking advantage, tell him that you have started again with a new name but have been selling on ebay for a while and you won't let him take the piss.

[ATortoiseisBetterThanABlackCat]

I would start an item not as described dispute with paypal. This way you should get a full refund and i think return postage.

A good seller would pay return postage if their fault.

[FlightAttendant]

Sounds like you are justified in being annoyed, ridiculous description...I'd ask for a full refund including return postage, (get it tracked in case of claim) and if he doesn't oblige, negative feedback for sure.

You should actually just ask him if he 'wants to save you money' to refund the entire 3.99. What a nobbo.

[FlightAttendant]

and keep the t shirt i mean!

[FlightAttendant]

yes if you do return it, you'll get your full amount back, ie the 3.99.

Paypal won't make him refund your 1.25 but I doubt that includes tracking, which you'll need to prove delivery.

[claudialyman]

Thanks FA and everyone. I will suggest he saves me money and hassle by refunding the 3.99 and letting me chuck it! doubt he'll do it but would be nice to make the point! I will send it trackable if he wont. And then negative feedback if he doesnt refund postage.

Am thinking noiw if he does make another nasty personal attack in the reply to feedback section he is actually sinking his own boat as if he posts too many of thise people arent going to be keen to buy from him. I certainly wouldnt have if i,d read his views first! Thanks

[claudialyman]

Did that and he mailed how about he gives me 3 quid and i use it as a tea-towel!

he's original. Should i just take that? and explain briefly in negative feedback. Would save me posting and possibly not getting refunded.

But personally feel like insiting on full refund as item no use and he just keeps pushing with reasons not to refund in full. In terms of ebay etiquette does that just me being a bit petty though? What would you do? Would like to be a giood responsible memeber of the ebay community here

[FlightAttendant]

LOL at teatowel.

I'd say take it but mention that your feedback is not going to be supremely kind! Maybe a neutral if he refunds the £3.

[phatcat]

I would push for a 3.99 refund, let him decide whether you return it or not, trackable if you do. Give him a deadline by which to respond and say you will raise a Paypal dispute otherwise. Definitely neg him too. I wouldn't want to buy off a seller who gives the runaround like this.

[claudialyman]

Interesting! 2 perspectives. Yes have not enjoyed the runaround altho i did like the teatowel bit. I shall contemplate both your ideas now while taking DS out (possibly to purchase a shirt in a normal highst store)and get back to him this eveing. thanks!

[FlightAttendant]

Phatcat is right actually.

[claudialyman]

have mailed and said am surprised hes still offering a partial refund on an item not as described issue. said I expect the full, and up to him if I post it (trackable). havent said paypal dispute yet, am saving that for his next email, he definately does drip feed his offers, my inbox is full with his macchinations!

[TheDevilsKnickers0nMaHead]

Dont say you will be opening a dispute, that will give him time to empty his account.

[claudialyman]

Oh good I didnt. he's getting all uppity now
and claiming we have to go to dispute and he was only offering £3 as i will lose out having to send and pay postage. i would actually prefer to pay to send the damn thing back and lose the postage money (he says no way i'll get it in a paypal dispute) and feel ive done it all by the book and can justifibaly add to his negatives

[TheDevilsKnickers0nMaHead]

Yes just do that. Open a paypal dispute now, then escalate straight to a claim. Send the shirt back, recorded, then you will get your £3.99 back, then leave him neg feedback.

Sounds like a right tosser.

[claudialyman]

shall do exactly that, am sick of reading the mans emails! Am sendimg it back recorded tomorrow and will neg. Thanks for all your help, it gave me confidence to refuse the offers. we have lots of teatowels...