Vinted buyer claims item and packaging smell of curry, wants refund

[Ilikeviognier]

Vinted issue - what’s going on here?

Sent a fairly expensive clothing item (dryrobe) which has just arrived. Seller has’ messaged me to say it smells of curry and the packaging smells of curry (!)

packaging and item have been nowhere near food of any kind and it was fine when it left.

all I can think of is something to do with either where it’s been with the courier (!) - or the plastic packaging (but this was from previous items of clothes anyway).

they have refused to wash it or air it (despite saying it’s a lovely item) and just want a refund, however they also seem to want me to initiate this and to send them a shipping label which I don’t believe I can do.

im a bit flummoxed here - what do I do? Is it possible they are trying it on? The item is in great condition. I don’t believe I’ve done anything wrong.

I dont sell on Vinted (prices too low). I sell on the international Ebay site and at one time dishonest vintage buyers were few and far between. In the last 6 weeks I have had 4 scammers. I know most of the tricks and all these cases were closed in my favour. People are becoming more and more dishonest.

This is incorrect because no seller ever has to pay for a return on vinted no matter what the reason.

Even if a photo proves a visible defect or an item has been sent by mistake or incorrectly described.

It is entirely at the seller’s discretion.

Also, although it is a moot point in your justification, this buyer can’t prove it does smell.

Update. They have reported it as “damaged” to vinted. I’ve said to return it - at their expense - so that’s it.

tbh I’m annoyed as I suspect it just didn’t fit them! I’m tempted to say that to them but haven’t - as what’s the point really?

it’s put me off using the platform though.

I’ve never paid for a return as a seller , because I’ve never sent anything that I didn’t describe properly , I have always accepted a return if requested , purely for the reason that if Vinted rule in their favour you’d end up with nothing . Having said that , I’ve sold over 600 items and only accepted 3 returns so not bad going really

@bugalugs45 this has never happened to me before! And it’s nothing to do with the description or quality of the product. But I can’t prove or disprove a smell can I? All I know is that it didn’t smell when it left me….

Watch they don't mail you a fake in place of the real item

Even if it smells slightly of curry, any reasonable Vinted buyer would just put it in the wash. Everything I buy second hand is always washed first before I start wearing it.

I bet the Vinted buyer just changed her mind about buying it and is chancing it with you. The curry smell is not the reason at all. How strongly can an item smell of curry anyway?!

Be wary of this buyer. Scam alert!

@OvernightBloats yes I agree. What can I do though?

anyone know what happens if it’s ruined when it comes back - or fake? Would I have any recourse with Vinted?

You have the same option on receipt of the return to raise “I have an issue” within two days of the returned package being delivered

@Tomikka so I could refuse it because it “smells of curry” then could I?! :)

I like your style

Update. Robe returned…and guess what? It smells of nothing. Buyer completely lied to get a refund!!!!

do I report?

It would be interesting to click “I have a problem”
and the reason that the return reason is invalid

@Tomikka I’ve contacted vinted support but the buyer is pushing me to release the refund and is sticking to their nonsense story!

I am of course on a position of interest, rather than any valid advice ….. accepting and closing the refund will just end it at no loss other than the hassle (assuming it is returned at their expense)

But, as an observer I’d like you to continue the process

it’s you that are getting the messages, so for peace of mind it would be to close it off, for fun it would be to see what Vinted come up with ( probably just a black mark against the buyer with no actual effect )

@Tomikka I’ve thought about that - but does it bring risk? Ie vinted siding with the buyer in some way that’s beneficial to them but not me?

Not a surprise that your dryrobe didn't smell of anything! What a time wasting saddo the Vinted buyer must be. At least you have got the item back in one piece.

I would be wary about complaining and trying to take this further. Basically it's her word against yours. There is no way to prove to Vinted whether she is lying about the curry smell or not.

Chalk it up to experience and see what happens next. If she leaves a bad review for you, then I would then retaliate and say what happened. But I wouldn't leave a review first just in case she goes nuclear and leaves a horrible review about you. This is where the review system is flawed because it can affect your rating even if you have done nothing wrong!

Pleased that you have got the dryrobe back. Vinted is a minefield with cheeky chancers who spoil the experience for others.

@OvernightBloats Thankyou and I know you’re right - I just feel that there should be consequences for their actions - which of course there won’t be by the look of it.

had a terrible response from vinted anyway just telling me to click “there’s a problem” if it’s not in the same condition - which isn’t the issue.

@Ilikeviognier
there is that risk of something backfiring

The sensible option is to just leave it be and move on

I don't see how this is proof of anything other than a recording of you parcelling up something you claim to have sent.

@Tomikka yes - I’ve done that and blocked the member. Thanks for listening to my ranting!

Do you cook lots of curries?

@DuckyLuck My update said that the package had come back and smelled of nothing. The buyer made it up to get a refund. And no in answer to the question About cooking curries :)