Item not as described, what to do next?

[Pannacotta]

I bought a rug on ebay recently and it was described as 'in excellent condition, not been is use and had been stored'.
However it arrived and has flecks of dirt in it (its a long pile rug) and is grey with old dust and there are some pubes in among the tufts of wool (nice!).
I emailed the seller to ask for a refund (I politely explained the above) but she refused and claimed it was in excellent condition.
I have asked for a refund via ebay but wonder if I should open a paypal dispute or similar?
Any advice welcome as I cant afford to lose out on nearly £50....

Open a PayPal dispute, they should refund you but you'll have to send it back and pay the return cost (which always annoys me).

Thanks Salty, will paypal refund me the original postage cost as I realise I paid over the odds, having checked courier costs?

I think so - it's just the return postage you have to pay as far as I understand. I've had to do it a couple of times.

If you have opened an eBay case you don't open a Paypal one too.

Pannacotta Your seller can't refuse a return if item SNAD it's against ebay policy now to state that on your terms,just keep the claim polite and too the point insisting on a return and refund do everything via ebay messages so they can keep track of everything if she is difficult about it,ebay may send you a prepaid postage label but I'm not sure when they do that but a friend had one sent to her to cover the return cost. Good luck.

I would try to avoid return postage costs, why should you be out of pocket
If I've opened a case with eBay I have always either got the seller to pay or got a return label from ebay

Depending if seller has been enrolled in the new program (thats done automatically) eBay will issue a pre paid postage label for the return amount so you shouldn't be out a penny.

If they haven't, hassle eBay. Tell them this is a SNAD and they will more than likely pay the return anyway.

You cannot choose whether you pay return postage or not. That isn't how it works.

It can be requested though. I have never paid return postage for a not as described item
I would be incredibly pissed off at having to pay when it is the seller at fault

Thanks v much for the replies.
All bit odd really as the seller offered me a part refund then ebay refunded me the full cost including original postage but no mention of returning the item.
I cant afford the return postage cost as it will be high, given its a rug so am unsure what to do next...

you don't need to do anything

You've been given a 'no fault refund'. EBay do this occasionally, sort of a peace keeping exercise. The refund has come from eBay not your seller so as current says you do nothing now. Send it down the charity shop