Paint on 'excellent condition' boots?

[Queen0fFlamingEverything]

I recently bought a pair of boots on Ebay - the photo wasn't brilliant and only showed one side of them, but the description clearly said they were in 'excellent condition' and 'hardly any wear'. They were £50, which is only a little less than they would cost new but they are not made anymore so it seemed a fair price.

They have arrived and whilst they have indeed have had very little wear, there is a large area on the side of one (the whole lower part of the boot) that has had bright green paint all over it. Its been wiped off but is still visible in all the seams, and in patches on the leather. It won't wipe off with a baby wipe so I assume it is not water based and I don't want to try and remove it with anything solvent based in case it damages the boots.

From reading up on this sort of thing it seems like they'd have to be returned for a full refund? But that will cost nearly £10 (they are mega heavy motorbike boots with metal bits) which I won't get back, plus I can live with the paint, it just isn't what I'd expect from boots described as 'excellent condition'. Is asking for a partial refund reasonable?

I think you shuold send seller a pic and ask for partial refund. You are well within your rights. I'd rather give a partial refund than have an item retuerned!!

I doubt the seller will co-operate and give a partial refund. If you had known they had the paint on them then you would not have paid the amount you did, and the seller clearly knew the paint was there if they have made a hash of removing it, and it wasn't visible in the photos.

What is the seller's feedback like? If they have really good feedback they may not want to risk ruining it.

Their feedback is good, 99.8% positive. But tbh one neg isn't going to make a dent as they have over 3000 positives.

Seller has responded to the case again now saying general wear is to be expected on a used item and that they would never have sent them out with paint on. Bollocks.

Well, on closer inspection the other boot has green paint in the seams in a different area and also has damage to the lining, so I decided to return them. Collect+ turned out to be the best bet, so I messaged her and said I'd return them today. She replied to say that this was unacceptable as they only deliver to a "LOCAL SHOP" (her caps, she is extremely shouty) and that she wanted them sent by a postal service.

I now am concerned that even if I do retrn them she is going to refuse delivery or something. She is a bit unhinged and unbelievably rude.

WWYD next?

It is really annoying. She sounds a total nightmare seller. Before your post about the torn lining I was going to suggest buying a dye for leather that you can paint on. I know you should not have to do this but I was thinking that you were going to be £10 out of pocket anyway. If you paid by paypal I thought getting a refund through them was a lot easier. I don't buy very much from ebay these days. And not expensive stuff.

Paypal refer you back to Ebay's dispute thingy for Ebay items so I can't go to them either.

I am furious.

Surely they can't dictate how you return them? This really is outrageous. I'd get back onto ebay and complain again that they are refusing your return - so you demand they prepay or summat?

Collect Plus CAN (I can shout too ) deliver to a local shop, but WILL deliver to an address - I've used them loads, mostly with no problem, and always to a buyer's address.

Biggest issue with them is the max box size - 50x30x30cm. Sounds big until you realise all your boxes have one dimension 2cm out !

I agree return via Collect Plus to her address - and even if she refuses delivery you will still get your money back

What's happened? Did you return them okay?

Yes, Ebay sent me a return postage label after I escalated the case, mad seller signed for them on Monday, but no refund yet

Fab - hopefully the refund has arrived now.