eBay (probably not first or last to ask this!)

[Heyha]

Sold clothing item on eBay. Took pics of manufacturers' size tags and used in description, item sold. Posted item. Same morning buyer contacted me querying the size of it, I referred them to the description pics. Now had a message saying they will just return if doesn't fit.
I'm not a bloody shop?! I hardly use eBay so I'm not worried about risking negatives etc. AI/WIBU to tell them tough luck?

Does your listing say No Returns? Mine always do. Refer them to that.

If you’ve included the size and condition in the listing, which you have, the worst they can do is start a claim due to ‘item not as described’ for which you have evidence it is, so they won’t uphold the claim. It’s good that they’ve messaged you querying the size because they can’t then reasonably try to claim a different reason for wanting to return it. Tell them to do one.

It does, but it's got that 'backed by eBay moneyback' thing on it which seems to over-ride the individual seller's terms anyway.

Clothing is notoriously difficult to sell on ebay as not all manufacturer sizes are equal. How often have you tried something on in your size that doesn't fit? Likewise until they have the garment they don't know it fits.

As a private seller you don't have to take returns for change of mind/don't fit however if they message saying they want to return the best option is to just accept the return and let them pay the postage. Some are just chancers who want a discount rather than to return, refuse a discount and say you are happy to take a return if they are not happy.

If you refuse a return they can, without any proof, claim 'not as described'. ebay will side with the buyer (they don't know the facts) , allow the return and make you pay their postage too.
Putting no returns does not override ebay's money back guaranteed,

In answer to your AIBU, (lol, if forgot that bit) no your not unreasonable at all, however you will not win if they claim "not as described"

Seems silly doesn't it, if I put 'label says this but I think that' someone would challenge that as well, wouldn't they?
So if eBay force me to accept return (I had a feeling they always sided with the buyer) WIBU to leave negative feedback on the buyer saying that they will query manufacturer descriptions after purchase? They'll obviously leave negative on me if they have to dispute but it'd be my first one out of 250 transactions in 10 years or so, so I'd get over it.

And if my PayPal is empty, how do eBay extract the cash for the return from me?

Sellers can leave negative feedback on a buyer. You can leave neutral feedback, however, and block the buyer from using you again.

Your PayPal is linked to a credit card, usually. They'll charge against it.

Sorry, seller cannot leave neg feedback for a buyer.

Ah well will have to see what happens. I shall remain polite

with clothes always put the size on the label and all the measurement bust measurement shoulder to hem length waist measurement waist to hem length and that way you are covered by all the sizes, i have jeans i have bought which are supposed to be a size ten got them home and no way are they a ten they are more like an 8 as i cant do the zip up, my own fault for not trying them on in the shop and they are jane norman ones as well you would think designer would be right size and im always a size ten in jeans , unfortunately nowadays ebay will say you have to accept the return and if you have taken the money out of your paypal they will put your account into a minus

You can't leave negative feedback for a buyer, leaving a negative comment on a green dot can get your account sanctioned/banned.

Paypal will pay the return putting your account in negative balance. If you have a linked bank account/credit card on file they will take the money from that. If they can't do that then they take further steps to recover the debt, it doesn't just go away.

It's shit, I completely agree with you but this is how it is.
I was once a big ebayer, clothes were my staple product but I gave it up for the reasons you are describing. Near the end I used to take measurements of the garments with a tape measure and pictures showing these measurements. It changed nothing and returns kept on coming, increasing in numbers. Add in the free rentals where they have clearly worn the clothes for a party or whatever, then send them back claiming they were damaged.

I started doing it for fun, it stopped being fun so I stopped doing it.

Thank you all for your sage advice- I have advised the purchaser, in the first instance, that as the description clearly showed the manufacturer size labels I won't be able to accept the return. If they want to go through eBay that's up to them and I hear what you are all saying about how unlikely I am to win but we can follow the correct process if nothing else. And that will be the end of my eBay selling career so the local charity shop will be getting a nice donation instead!

Exactly same thing just happened to me twice. I've just taken the stuff back and resold

I'd allow the refund as they can leave negative feedback!

I always provide measurements to avoid confusion. Sizes are hit and miss, especially if the item has been stretched through wear.

Something similar happened to me a few years ago. Sold some expensive shoes, then a few days later buyer messaged me to say they are the right size but didn't fit and she wanted a refund. We argued it a bit as they were exactly as described, it's not my fault they don't fit but she wasn't having any of it and contacted eBay.
eBay gave her a refund from their own fund and I got to keep the money from the sale as I hadn't done anything wrong. She also sent the shoes back to me so it was win win. But she had worn them and broken a part of them ha!
As soon as your buyer contacts eBay I would have all your evidence to hand that you did everything correctly. Hopefully they will see sense. You can also comment in response on any negative feedback left for you from the buyer to show the real situation. Unfortunately there isn't much protection for sellers on eBay which is why a lot of individual seller have stopped using it

Im just sending something back now. Despite the size being correct it’s clear these jeans have shrunk. That’s retail Im afraid.

Unworn item still with tags on (clearly showing size) so that will help, hopefully. It'd be ideal if eBay refund out of their own pot, I'll take the risk on negative feedback if it helps the buyer learn that if you want retail shop service you need to pay retail prices!

This is why I stopped selling anything on eBay.
Anything I didn’t pay for tracking on never turned up (so you have to pay postage for basically the full value of some goods???) and other things there were random complaints on.

I usually get one these customers every so often and in between lots of really lovely polite buyers/sellers - there’s always one who turns it all into a massive faff, but luckily in the minority (for me).

And to add if you leave positive feedback that reads negatively it can and will be removed by eBay.

Now accusing me of the item being fake 😂 I've clearly found a loon. Is there any way I can get in touch with eBay first to alert them that there'll be a problem, I know the item won't get there til Tues/Weds

Turns out there is. 'report buyer' used!

Annoying but the issue is you have to accept a return on eBay because all they have to do is open a case, eBay always sees in their favour and they’ll leave you negative. Nothing you can do.