Item not as described

[cerealqueen]

Really mad with myself for this. Bought what looked like a normal sized handbag and it arrived today. It is tiny! I should have checked dimensions so my fault. Worse, it is described as new, but it arrived dirty and the metal parts scuffed and small hole in back. I asked buyer was it new and she said she bought in spain a few years ago but never used it and did I want a refund but asked me was it worth it as I only paid 99p (you get what you pay for!). Thing is, I paid £3.00 p&P and it only cost her £1.70 to send it. Should she refund that too or should I open a case? I'd never sell it on as new myself as its not in the condition to pass for new, whatever she said.

if you open a case with eBay not as described if you tick the box other then write in refund next to it then eBay should refund you without the need for return

The size can't be an issue if the dimensions were on the listing, but I guess the condition would be. First of all you should email the seller first, then take it from there.

Thanks, she did not offer postage but I have just asked her if she would.

but if eBay refund you themselves you will not need to return it

Well she offered me £1 toward postage and said sorry I wasn't happy but that was part of the risk of using EBay! Yes, a risk which for me was a silly mistake not to ask how big the bag was but there should not be a risk in buying a bag which is supposedly new, not looking like it has been hanging in the shed for a few years. I will go to EBay direct now- do I need to tell the seller?

no - no need. just where you want resolution tick the box other and next to it write in refund

escalate when you can then eBay should refund without you needing to return

then you can leave appropriate feedback and stars

Thanks Fergoose you've been great - one more question please - how does Ebay get the money back off the seller if she is not being very helpful with me?

well if you do as I said eBay give you the money out of their pocket not the sellers

but if you open a case saying you want to return it, then you have to return trackable at your expense, give eBay tracking info then they give you back the money you paid the seller - which can put sellers Paypal in the red.

I got my refund but had to pay to return the item!! oh well, you live and learn!

You forked out £3.99, not £399! You should have just tossed it in the bin and marked it down to experience.

I could have yes, but in light of her couldn't give a toss response I decided to pursue it on principal. Ebayers like that make it harder for everybody and shouldn't really just get away with selling their trash (unless they explicitly say it is their trash!)