Not to refund this eBay item?

[CesareBorgiasSkeletonOnesie]

Sold a lovely velvet tunic on eBay recently as needed to raise Christmas funds, and have just had a message from the lady who bought it saying she’s unhappy with the size:

‘Sadly this item is certainly not the usual Sahara size L or a 16 - 18. My fault for not requesting measurements but it does mean my feedback won't be positive since I've spent over £50 on an item that doesn't fit.’

It may not be the usual but it is definitely a size L from that shop and fitted me as a size 16, admittedly only for a try-on. I’d offer to refund but really can’t afford it at the moment. I don’t often sell stuff on eBay and have never had bad feedback or the threat of it before - WIBU to suggest she sticks it back on to get her money back and say there’s nothing I can do. Will it matter if she gives me bad feedback?! Also WHY is she giving me bad feedback - I listed the item as the size it is!

On eBay as a private seller you can either offer refunds or not. If it states on the listing you don't offer refunds you're under no obligation to to refund her but you will get negative feedback

I'm almost certain that's not true. Lots of sellers say in the listing that they won't accept refunds and/or can't be held responsible for items lost or damaged in the post. But eBay will make sure that they do accept the refund or pay for lost items by simply taking the money from the seller's account. There's no point saying you won't accept them because you pretty much have to.

toad

And it isn’t feedback extortion, although I would understand why people would think it is.
Feedback extortion would be “let me keep this and refund me in full or I will leave A negative” or “refund me £10 and let me keep this or I will leave you a negative”.

Lots of sellers say in the listing that they won't accept refunds and/or can't be held responsible for items lost or damaged in the post. But eBay will make sure that they do accept the refund or pay for lost items by simply taking the money from the seller's account. There's no point saying you won't accept them because you pretty much have to

Exactly this ^^

And the feedback extortion thing seems to be entirely subjective, especially as this buyer's been a bit guarded in what she said (suggesting she has experience in doing this, perhaps). You could get two different folk at ebay, each with heir own view on exactly what it means

The point is that there's no consistency and practically no chance of appeal for small volume sellers

Might I suggest that you ask on the Ebay sellers forum? Not that there is anything wrong with asking here, some of the posters here also post there, but some of them have been giving advice since Moses was a boy so might be worth a try.

I’ve made a mistake I think- I didnt check how Sahara describe their own size Ls and assumed as I fitted it at size 16-18 that’s how I should describe it. I do feel bad if it should have been 14-16.I’ve written this response - does it sound ok?

‘I’m sorry you’re unhappy with the top. It’s definitely a size L as pictured, and as it fitted me when I tried it on as a size 16-18 that’s how I listed it. Having checked though Sahara describes their size L as a 14-16 so that’s a mistake on my part. If you’d like to send it back tracked postage I will refund you, or alternatively you could try selling it on as there was a lot of interest and I’m sure you’d get your money back that way. Let me know what you’d like to do.’

I'm almost certain that's not true. Lots of sellers say in the listing that they won't accept refunds and/or can't be held responsible for items lost or damaged in the post. But eBay will make sure that they do accept the refund or pay for lost items by simply taking the money from the seller's account. There's no point saying you won't accept them because you pretty much have to

You've misunderstood my post. There are many circumstances in which eBay can make a seller refund - doesn't arrive, misdescribed, damaged, faulty etc. The return policy refers to whether you accept returns as a matter of course. Some sellers do accept refunds for whatever reason within 14 days etc.

In this circumstance it turns out the item was unintentionally misdescribed so the buyer has a right to a refund.

But if the buyer simply hadn't liked it or decided it didn't suit her or even if it didn't fit her - as long as the OP had described it accurately - in that circumstance the seller is not obliged to refund.

I would just take the negative feedback. Doesn't really matter is you are not someone who sells regularly. Also you can reply on the feedback, and your reply is also visible to anyone checking feedback.

Ebay are such dicks in stuff like this though from experience. They once refunded someone who was clearly scamming me. I never did get my item back, and also had to give the refund. So they got it free. Honestly, I just abandoned the ebay account after they did that and I still get emails from time to time about how I 'owe them money'. But nah. I am not paying for them maiking stupid decisions.

Personally I think it's worth retaining 100% pos feedback status. I don't buy from sellers with less than 99% pos feedback - depending on the reason. People are prepared to bid more for items if you're a reliable seller.

By 'clearly scamming'. They claimed the item was never received, a few months after they already gave me positive feedback. My tracking also proved it was signed for. So they gave positive feedback at the time and also tracking says it was delivered. For some reason, ebay still refunded them.

You’re responsible for return postage OP.

Easier and cheaper to advise the buyer to open a not as described case and then you can purchase a prepaid label for £2.99, which will be added to your eBay fees.

TheGoalIsToStayOutOfTheHole - same here. Except I paid because PayPal collude too and put a block on my transfers. I repeatedly contacted eBay and they eventually just stopped replying to me.