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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask Etsy seller to refund my postage too?

27 replies

Qqq67 · 12/07/2021 08:21

I bought something on Etsy and it arrived with a stain. So I contacted the seller and they told me where to return it to.

It cost me £4(ish) to return it 2nd class signed for.

I want to ask her to send me the money for postage too… she didn’t offer to pay for it, but I feel like she should.

What do you think? Should I send a photo of the postage receipt and ask her to send me that amount too?

As it’s an Etsy seller, the “shop” is one person making things for a hobby. I am sure her margins are tiny.

OP posts:
MattHancocksSexTape · 12/07/2021 08:23

You would be within your rights to do it.

What does £4 mean to you?

MrsWooster · 12/07/2021 08:25

Depends how much £4 means to you; strictly speaking, the seller should pay but if she’s on really tight margins and £4 is pin money to you then let it go?

SinkGirl · 12/07/2021 08:32

I’m an Etsy seller and would expect to pay for return postage

Original poster
Qqq67 · 12/07/2021 08:35

I’m back studying again, which means DH is the only breadwinner. I can afford to lose it, but possibly no more than she can!

(I wince when I buy my DC an ice cream on a hot day these days!)

OP posts:
Derbee · 12/07/2021 08:37

Doesn’t matter how tight her margins are. If she’s sending items out that have stains and are being returned, she doesn’t deserve to make money.

I’d ask for the postage to be paid by the seller.

Howcanthisbe123 · 12/07/2021 08:37

£4 to you is smaller than £4 to her.

If it was me I would of offered a discount, collected and amended the item, or sent a replacement.

If a customer does send something back to me I don’t cover the cost of return. I only expect them to send me things back that they want refunded due to change of mind though.

IARTNS · 12/07/2021 08:39

Did you pay via paypal?

www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/refunded-returns

Original poster
Qqq67 · 12/07/2021 08:41

[quote IARTNS]Did you pay via paypal?

www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/refunded-returns[/quote]
I did use PayPal - I didn’t know about that! I haven’t activated it, but I will look into it now. Might be too late for this purchase though?

OP posts:
Roseyleaf · 12/07/2021 08:42

You shouldn't be out of pocket for something which was caused by the seller. Of course they should refund the postage costs in this instance.

comebacksunshines · 12/07/2021 08:42

Ask her to refund it.
How much was the item worth. I would have just told you to keep it, if it was low value.

IARTNS · 12/07/2021 08:43

I don't think I'd activated it before I needed to use it, (was a while back now so can't remember sorry) but definitely worth a try.

I've used it a few times since and once you upload your proof it gets refunded fairly quickly.

It came in very handy for an ebay dispute where the seller wasn't being particularly helpful - as it covered the costs of special delivery to return the item to them Grin

comebacksunshines · 12/07/2021 08:44

You don’t need to go in heavy handed, just politely ask her to refund it. If she refuses then report the issue to Etsy, or Paypal.

Houserenoqueen · 12/07/2021 08:45

Yes ask for it to be refunded. I sell on etsy and shopify and would refund postage if there was an issue.

JustLyra · 12/07/2021 08:46

Given that the item was sent to you stained she should pay for it to be returned - you shouldn’t have to be out of pocket for something that should never have been sent like that

LCDIT · 12/07/2021 08:50

I'm an Etsy seller too. She should have just sent you a replacement. You have been inconvenienced having to go to the post office. She definitely should refund your postage.

Leafy1986 · 12/07/2021 09:14

I’m another Etsy seller too. I would totally refund you the postage as the product was faulty!

TakeYourFinalPosition · 12/07/2021 09:41

As it’s an Etsy seller, the “shop” is one person making things for a hobby. I am sure her margins are tiny.

Maybe but not necessarily - while there’s a lot of shops with very small profit margins on Etsy, there are a decent amount with massive ones, too.

But yeah, I’m surprised she hasn’t offered to cover it, I’d definitely ask.

TreeSmuggler · 12/07/2021 11:04

She should refund you, but the refunded returns on PayPal is really good and easy. You don't need to activate it, it's on everyone's pay pal account. You'll need proof of payment for the postage though, so receipt from post office, photo of parcel showing stamp, emailed receipt from courier company, etc.

Footballschmootball · 12/07/2021 11:12

Definitely ask her to pay!

Original poster
Qqq67 · 12/07/2021 11:14

Thank you all! I’ve just asked her if she can pay and sent her the receipt. I feel a bit better about asking after your comments!

OP posts:
Original poster
Qqq67 · 12/07/2021 11:14

(Sent her a picture of the postage receipt that is.)

OP posts:
HomerSimpsonsDonut · 12/07/2021 11:25

Regardless of how much an item cost, you shouldn't be out of pocket because of a seller's mistake. YANBU to ask for a refund.

DocsOddSocks · 12/07/2021 11:39

@Qqq67 Of course she should refund the postage as it was through their own mistake that its having to be returned.

I bought some wax melts once off Etsy. Something was missing when it arrived. I messaged her and the seller was very apologetic and even sent some freebies as I'd been so understanding. It definitely made me want to buy again whereas your seller, I probably wouldn't unless the postage was refunded.

LovelyLovelyWarmCoffee · 12/07/2021 12:00

@Howcanthisbe123
£4 to you is smaller than £4 to her
Why would you assume this?
Etsy might not be the seller’s main income, and OP spending £4 on Etsy also doesn’t mean she is well off.

Ariela · 12/07/2021 12:35

I'd use the Paypal refunded return, you have to activate the request within 30 days of returning and 150 days of buying the item. I believe Paypal pays the cost, not the seller if a business