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Original poster

WWYD? Have I been fair in my description? Should I part refund or not

36 replies

alltoomuchrightnow · 07/09/2014 22:14

I sold a vintage knit top from 1960s
I put full details in my listing , including this below (it wasn't hidden at bottom in 'small print'! I am always very honest in listings.)

''I have machine washed it twice on '30 delicates' and it came up fine. It does still have a vintage smell, certainly not unpleasant to my nose but definitely a vintage smell. Please do not bid if this is a problem! It's a smell of old fabric and not of anything human! A smell I actually quite like.. even Kate Moss said she likes the smell of vintage clothing too. Not all garment have it but this one does.''

OP posts:
ElizabethMedora · 07/09/2014 22:15

Is the buyer complaining about the smell?

Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 07/09/2014 22:16

yes this is her reply

Hello. I bought a pink jumper off of you and there is a smell on it that won't go away. Jumper has been washed 5 times! We're you aware of this problem?

OP posts:
Jacksonville14 · 07/09/2014 22:17

return and full refund - but partial refund no.

lljkk · 07/09/2014 22:18

Gawd that's maddening that buyers don't read!!

Who's to say the smell is not a different smell from what you meant... (sorry, but that's how Ebay will treat the case, she'll win SNAD if she opens it).

Has she contacted you using "Other" or has she opened a case?

Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 07/09/2014 22:19

The fact that she asks if I was aware, makes me think she hasn't read the listing, or SHE would be aware that I was aware !! Hmm

I did put, not to bid if this is a problem. I didn't guarantee that smell might not come out (maybe I should've put this?) Obviously that is a lot of washes.. her 5 and my 2. It's NOT a bad smell…. I've been selling vintage for 9 years.. it's just a musty , well, vintage smell. Item is very clean.

OP posts:
Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 07/09/2014 22:19

should I refund? or part refund? she hasn't left Feedback and nor have I
I know I should've covered myself, saying I can't guarantee smell will go

OP posts:
Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 07/09/2014 22:20

no she hasn't opened a case. I've been away for a week (which she knew ) and i've just been in half an hour and checked my emails and read hers

OP posts:
lljkk · 07/09/2014 22:20

Has she opened a case or has she just gone for Other? You asked WWYD & the answer affects WIWD.

Woodenheart · 07/09/2014 22:21

Bet she wouldn't have said if, if you hadn't written it, Tell her to return it.
Bet she decides to hang it out on the line!

Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 07/09/2014 22:21

I think that my listing WAS accurate and fair. but i don't want to risk neg FB. I wonder if ebay would support me if she negs me

OP posts:
lljkk · 07/09/2014 22:21

oops sorry, Xpost.
Then I would gently refer her to the original listing text and say that you did everything you did to try to advise buyer that it had an aroma. She may be grumpy, but she may accept it was her oversight.

Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 07/09/2014 22:22

shall i email her cutting and pasting the description that she obviously didn't read.. i don't want to be rude though… i am sorry if the smell is still there but it's really not a nasty smell and i was honest

OP posts:
lljkk · 07/09/2014 22:25

ps: and if she insisted that it was an unacceptable smell regardless of the warning, then my next step depends what it sold for, how much interest there was in the auction, and how much hassle I could stomach. I would offer a partial refund if all 3 of these applied: A) she suggested it, B) It hadn't attracted much interest so I had scant hopes of it reselling and (probably) C) the partial refund was a small amount.

Put her on your blocked buyers list ASAP.

If you want it back to resell & she gets full refund, then next time advertise it as "STINKY VINTAGE JUMPER" but that won't be enough for some buyers to take note, sadly.

lljkk · 07/09/2014 22:27

It's worth a try. Copy the text, include a link to the original listing and very unemotionally explain that you were very upfront and obvious about the aroma being persistently there.
Bite your tongue probably don't add that you've been "fair" (or that's she's a blind bint), let her digest what you're saying about the item is as advertised.

lljkk · 07/09/2014 22:28

Sorry for deluge of replies, ppl who don't read descriptions make my blood boil.

Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 07/09/2014 23:05

Total came to about £11 including postage
I will copy the text to her.. fingers crossed

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 08/09/2014 17:53

If she rinses it in vinegar the smell will go. If you google "smells vintage clothing" you'll find loads of tips.

cavkc · 08/09/2014 18:03

I run a small ebay business and can really understand your position.

I have been lucky in not receiving any negative feedback but it hasn't always been easy. Unfortunately ebay 9 times out of 10 will support the buyer and not the seller .. It is extremely frustrating,

I would really urge you to try and sort this out with the buyer, even though it may stick in your throat it depends on whether the £11 is more important than your feedback.

Terrible system, there was an article recently advising people on how to save money, the suggestion was, you purchase something on ebay with free p&p which means it is unlikely the seller will send it Recorded, you then say you never received the item and get a full refund!!

19lottie82 · 09/09/2014 13:01

As a seller, I would remind her of the listing description but advise that if she wants to return it (at her own cost), you will refund in full.

Don't agree to a partial refund, tell her it's a return for a full refund (again at her own cost), or nothing.

lljkk · 09/09/2014 16:29

What's happening, all2much?

Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 10/09/2014 01:05

i haven't heard back yet

OP posts:
Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 10/09/2014 01:06

Lottie, do you mean , she gets a refund if she pays for the postage to return it?

OP posts:
Jacksonville14 · 10/09/2014 08:11

yes she will get a full refund once she proves the item has been returned.

gamerchick · 10/09/2014 08:15

But she's washed it multiple times.. you couldn't return back to a shop after that.

I would copy and paste the listing for her to read again.

Catsmamma · 10/09/2014 08:52

and who's to say she hasn't ruined it with her repeated boil washes??