Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
eBay

If you buy or sell items on eBay, you will find tips and advice on this forum.

Original poster

I don't know what to do about this buyer's claims...

52 replies

saoirse86 · 14/11/2011 22:01

I have just received this message:

^Really disappointed that basically it was washed or plunged in water and then simply put into a grey plastic mailer bag. It arrived damp, with mildew, and extremely musty/mouldy smelling. I now have to launder it again.

I'd like a good partial refund on this. When all is sorted I will leave positive feedback as everything else is ok.^

I had washed and dried this before even listing so it was about2 weeks since I had washed it before sending it, so was definitely not wet at all when I posted.

Could this have happened in transit or is she lying to get money back?

If I refuse to refund anything will ebay give her all her money back?

I feel quite upset about this as I am a good seller and always work hard to make buyers happy. Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
saoirse86 · 14/11/2011 22:53

Sorry, lots of x-posts!

Ok, I'm going to compose a reply...

OP posts:
Original poster
saoirse86 · 14/11/2011 22:58

Ok, will you help me edit this:

I am very surprised and sorry to hear this. I had washed and dried it in the tumble dryer before even listing it, so around 2 weeks before sending it. Therefore, when I packaged it, it was completely dry.
I definitely did not wash it or plunge it into water before putting it in a plastic bag. I have very good feedback and always work hard to ensure my items are described accurately. I would never sell or send anything that I wouldn't be happy to receive myself.
I would be willing to refund the cost of the wash if there is no mildew and it just doesn't smell right to you. For this I will refund £1 to pay for the washing powder, fabric softener, water and electricity used.
If there is mildew then this will not come out in the wash so please could you send me photos to show this.

OP posts:
Ponders · 14/11/2011 22:59

I suppose - to give her the benefit of the doubt - as it's clearly a thick dressing gown there could have been a tiny smidgen of damp left in a seam.

unlikely I know, as you did it 2 weeks before you sent it, but it is just remotely possible, & she has exaggerated the result to justify her complaint.

fwiw I have had to rewash a few things recently which were hanging to dry in the bathroom, but with insufficient ventilation around them, & did end up with a musty whiff (as it's been mild enough not to need the heating on, but not warm enough to accelerate drying)

so offer her a token refund to cover her laundry costs Smile

Ponders · 14/11/2011 23:00

oh, X-post

your message sounds fine to me!

Original poster
saoirse86 · 18/11/2011 22:15

Well I still haven't heard anything. I'm hoping she's either decided her lies won't get very far with me, or if it is true that it smelled funny, she's realised asking for a load of money essentially just to wash it is a bit much.

Thanks for all your replies. Smile

OP posts:
FabbyChic · 19/11/2011 09:42

Id apologise profusely saying it was in great condition when it was packaged and that something must have happened to it whilst it was in transit, but as you are a good seller and do not want her to be disappointed offer a partial refund of a few pounds, depending of course how much she paid for it.

Some plastic mailing sacks do cause condensation. However mildew takes about a week to form not a few days.

Has she got you mixed up with another seller?

FabbyChic · 19/11/2011 09:43

Plastic mailing sacks can and do make clothes smell damp, specially the blue ones.

Original poster
saoirse86 · 19/11/2011 10:53

Maybe she has got me mixed up. It was sent first class last Thursday 10th so she would've got it on the friday or Saturday. That's definitely not long enough for mildew to form.

Anyway I'm hoping the lack of response for the last 5 days means it's over. Fingers crossed!

OP posts:
fergoose · 19/11/2011 11:06

I don't believe any of her claims to be honest - I reckon she was trying it on. Fingers crossed here too that you hear no more from her. :)

JaneFeestelijkBierdekijn · 19/11/2011 11:10

Yes I hope that's it from her.

Fwiw the black sacks some people send stuff in can make clothes smell of cigarette smoke - really weird phenomenon - so watch out for that one too!

Original poster
saoirse86 · 20/11/2011 11:54

I've just had this message from her:

"I still haven't received a partial refund that it arrived damp. I think £1 is a little low, I'd be happy to settle on £5."

£5 for a wash?! Cheeky bitch! And why would I refund when she hadn't replied agreeing anything? And learn some grammar! Angry

I am completely beyond skintight and refunding her £5 will get me £35 in bank charges if I do it before Thursday when I've had some more money. Sad what shall I do?

OP posts:
catsareevil · 20/11/2011 12:01

can you reply saying that the offer of £1 was a good-will gesture, but that she can return it for a refund if she prefers. She is unlikely to want to do this if she is just trying it on, and if she isnt trying it on and it is true that the item arrived wet and mildewed then I expect that she would have wanted to return in the first place.

fergoose · 20/11/2011 12:04

I agree - £1 for a wash or return it for a refund.

To be honest I think this is a case of buyer's remorse - she wants to keep the item but wants a partial refund as she spent more than she should have or wanted to.

You do not have to give her a partial refund of any description - I would just tell her to return it for a full refund and leave it at that. If she opens a dispute that is what eBay would tell her to do.

LoveBeingAFirework · 20/11/2011 12:13

Totally agree with the above, she can't return it anyway as she has washed it eBay won't refund. If you are concerned call eBay help and advise she washed it already but wants £5 or you'll get neg feedback and that you have happily offered her £1 as goodwill. They might even agree to open and close the case for you over the phone.

teenswhodhavethem · 20/11/2011 12:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

JaneFeestelijkBierdekijn · 20/11/2011 12:21

saoirse, I don't think you need to panic. Either agree to refund on Thursday, and then do it, though she may still open a case so make sure you do it the proper way so it's traceable through ebay.

Or say, enough already, please return the item for a full refund. She will need to do this trackable and she will need to pay the return postage costs. Then ebay will refund her the original payment including initial postage costs.

You don't have to cover return postage, only outward.

Work out what will cost you the least and go with that. She only has so many options. You don't need to provide a partial refund at all.

SoupDragon · 20/11/2011 12:23

tell her to fuck off Leave it and take the negative. Leave a follow up comment to the feedback commenting on the attempted "blackmail"

"I am sorry you feel that way. The item was clean, dry and securely packaged when it left my house. The £1 refund was a goodwill gesture and I am not prepared to respond to your threats of negative feedback."

SoupDragon · 20/11/2011 12:23

And then block her.

Original poster
saoirse86 · 20/11/2011 12:59

I'm talking to ebay but they're not very helpful. He's said I need to work it out with the buyer. That if she returns it she has to pay return postage. Then if it's fine when I receive it I have to get back to ebay for further support. Hmm The problem is if I have to refund the amount including original postage then that leaves me at least £5.66 out of pocket.

OP posts:
lisad123 · 20/11/2011 13:04

tell her to return it for refund minus postage fee's. I bet she wont

fergoose · 20/11/2011 13:14

if she has washed it then she has accepted it anyway so she can't return it in the condition in which it was sent.

I would refund her £1 and leave it at that if I were you.

Original poster
saoirse86 · 20/11/2011 18:20

So I emailed her saying what her options were...

  1. She could return it and I would assess it, but the return postage would be at her cost.
  2. She could send me photos of the mildew and we would discuss that once I saw the photos.
  3. She could accept my original offer.

Well guess which one she accepted.

I think you might have all guessed right! Scheming cow just trying it on! Angry

OP posts:
LoveBeingAFirework · 20/11/2011 18:42

The main thing it's all over now. Horrible and leaves a bad taste I know.

TheMonster · 20/11/2011 18:50

So she accepted the £1?
Well done for sticking to your guns.

Ponders · 20/11/2011 21:09

Angry for you, saoirse

but glad she has caved in finally

cow

Swipe left for the next trending thread