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Original poster

Not to give an eBay refund

62 replies

deliakate · 03/05/2011 09:00

I just sold a vintage wedding dress on eBay that I bought for my wedding, but did not wear. Before selling, I measured the dress with a tape measure around the bust, waist and hips and put these down in the listing. I also put down in the title that the dress was a size 14, as that's what the measurements I took roughly equated to in modern terms (and that I intended to have the dress altered to fit my size 12 figure).
Winning bidder turned up excited to collect her purchase on Saturday, and even when she came to the door, I thought "I hope this is not for you", because if she was a size 14, it was a large one - pushing a 16 really. Anyway, got an email last night saying the hips fitted, but the zip wouldn't go past her waist, can she have a refund.
Firstly, the listing stated no refunds, and secondly, the actual measurements in the text of the listing were accurate. She is hung up on the number 14 from the title, but I have tried to point out that with high street and vanity sizing, 14 can mean many things, and so she needed to use the accurate measurements as her guide to buying.
I don't have to give a refund do I? Can really do without the hassle, as my baby is nearly here, and I was so pleased to have finally sold the dress (for 10% of the purchase price, she has a bargain!). ????

OP posts:
mnistooaddictive · 03/05/2011 11:14

I bought a pair of trousers from ebay without rwading the description properly. When they arived they didn't fit. Did I ask for a refund? No, because the fault was mine not the buyers. She is trying it on.

IWantAnotherBaby · 03/05/2011 11:29

No, don't refund. I ebay a lot, and people try it on all the time. If your auction clearly stated no refunds, and the dress was as you described it, then you have no obligation to sort this out for her. But she may leave you negative feedback...

impty · 03/05/2011 11:55

No don't refund. I used to work in a (discount) shoe shop, there were signs everywhere warning that shoes would have to be tried on as refunds were not given for ill fitting shoes. There was a constant queue of people still requesting refunds every day.
Besides, she can always put it back on eBay, this is what everyone else does if something doesn't fit/ look right/ match isn't it?

FurKnickersAndNoCoat · 03/05/2011 12:24

no, not BU at all IMO. as others have said, everyone knows that once you bid on an item on ebay then you are "commiting to buy" (as indeed it says!). she can sell it on again herself as lots of people myself included have to do when items they buy from ebay don't fit.

izzywhizzyletsgetbusy · 03/05/2011 12:34

eBay make a nonsense of consumer law.

If the buyer paid using PayPal and files for item significantly not as described she'll win and you will have to refund.

If the buyer paid cash on collection she can file a claim but if it's upheld you won't be forced to refund.

However, ANY claim made against a seller counts against the seller's performance and, unless you've racked up loads of positives, any negative feedback will severely impact on your ratings.

I'd ask the buyer to bring the dress back, check to make sure it's in the same condition as when it left you, and refund.

eBay sellers can't refuse to accept payment by PayPal but you should always state on your listings cash on collection preferred where items are to be to picked up by the buyer as you'll have no proof of delivery if an unscrupulous buyer claims item not received.

If you relist, stating the size as 12/14 might deter those whose hope triumphs over reality from attempting to squeeze into it and possibly rip the fabric etc.

The above is why I'd never sell on eBay!

BTW, you can get help from experienced eBay sellers via eBay's community help pages.

FabbyChic · 03/05/2011 12:36

Izzy eBay do not entertain claims for collection items even if the buyer paid via PayPal.

You cannot open any dispute if you paid by cash.

Thus there will be no disputes filed against the OPs account.

I am an experienced eBay seller, I also post on the PayPal community forums.

Original poster
deliakate · 03/05/2011 13:31

Oh, so looks like she will have no comeback as she paid in cash (having seen the item too). Starting to feel a little sorry for her now, but eBay is pretty much Carpe Diem, as everyone says - Buyer Beware.

OP posts:
leeloo1 · 03/05/2011 13:42

Isn't Carpe Diem - sieze the day? I think its Caveat Emptor (spelling?) that means buyer beware? Grin

olderandwider · 03/05/2011 13:59

If the dress fits her hips doesn't that means she is a size 14 hips and therefore the rest of her should fit the dress too? She can't have it both ways, either she is a 14 all over, or she is a different (bigger) size in certain places and so should not complain that this size 14 dress doesn't fit her size 16 (or whatever it is) waist/bust.

NinkyNonker · 03/05/2011 14:07

Haha at Carpe Diem. Grin

Habeas Corpus I say!

Original poster
deliakate · 03/05/2011 14:09

I meant Carpe Diem, too. WIGIG and all that, just do it!

OP posts:
Bogeyface · 03/05/2011 14:09

or Older, it is six inches too short at the back where it has ridden up!

Bogeyface · 03/05/2011 14:10

Carpe Testiculos?

HecateQueenOfTheNight · 03/05/2011 14:11

You're not unreasonable to not refund. she's clearly in the wrong.

however, she can leave you negative feedback, can't she? and you can't return it! so I suppose you have to think how much your feedback is worth to you.

NinkyNonker · 03/05/2011 14:11

Carpe vino.

Wine
Tryharder · 03/05/2011 14:11

Clearly you don't have to refund if you don't want to although of course, you risk her leaving a negative feedback.

But if I were you, I would let her bring it back, make sure it is in the same condition as it went out and then give her her money back. You can cancel the transaction through eBay to get your fees back. Then I'd relist it as a small 14/large 12/whatever... It's the decent thing to do and you will be repaid several times over in karmic value or whatever.

expatinscotland · 03/05/2011 14:13

I wouldn't refund her.

pigletmania · 03/05/2011 14:14

Yanbu you gave accurate measurements, silly moo should have measured herself first. I guess that if you knew it would not fit you should have gently pointed that out when you saw her

oohlaalaa · 03/05/2011 14:31

Size 14 varies hugely. She should have checked the measurements.

pigletmania · 03/05/2011 14:35

Or suggested she try it on first in the bog. Next time if u sell clothing, put in big red letters and underline the measurements, and that thAt people should measure themselves before bidding as there are no refunds. That's what I do in my listings and there's never been a problem

IWantToBeAFairyWhenIGrowUp · 03/05/2011 15:14

Surely if she leaves you negative feedback though you can complain to ebay to get it removed if your description was correct.

whackamole · 03/05/2011 16:05

No refund.

I have never bought anything vintage off ebay as I am too tight to pay for alterations that would definitely have to be made. But even non-vintage stuff I ask for measurements as every shop is different!

ccpccp · 03/05/2011 16:36

If you knew the dress was for her and it wouldnt fit, then you have slightly scammed her.

Refund so long as it all goes through ebay and you get your money back inc. fees.

She really wanted the dress to work but was denied by her porkerness. Shes a good ebayer otherwise.

expatinscotland · 03/05/2011 16:40

How's it her job to tell her, 'Sorry, I don't think your arse is going to fit in this?'

Should shops now tell customers who are buying items that probably don't fit them, 'Sorry, I can't see you this. Your arse won't fit in it and so I'd be scamming you.'

For all she knew, the gal was planning to go on a diet before her wedding.

HecateQueenOfTheNight · 03/05/2011 16:41

Agree with expat.

Sorry love, I'm looking at you and you are far too fat to fit into my dress.

Yes. That'll work Grin won't get you a smack in the chops at all.