I hope some of you ladies can advise my friend. She has just moved into a flat and in a rush to buy something to sit on for some reason has bought a "very" expensive second-hand couch and armchair on eBay costing £500. It really wasn't a deal and I'm not sure why she did it. She paid through PayPal.
The item was supposed to be in good used condition but said little else. A friend went to collect it in a delivery van which is used to deliver packets and parcels all day and is clean. When he arrived to pick it out with his friend to help it was 6.30pm and getting dark and started raining. The light inside the house was very dim ( deliberate?) and the owner said a number of times are you happy with it? are you happy with it? to be polite the friend said it looks fine and was then made to sign a piece of paper on collection about condition. It was difficult to see the condition of the item. Towels were put in the bottom of the van for cushions to be put down and the 2 friends and the owner loaded the stuff in. It was then delivered to my friend's house.
She being a woman and not a man immediately noticed that the suite stank. It was extremely musty and smelt like it been in the garage for years. There was also signs of wear n several of the arms of the couches and stains down one side of the couch - none of which could have been seen in dim light. She is of course extremely disappointed and has asked for a refund and the seller is not interested sating he asked if they were happy when they collected ( in the half dark!) and that the items were put in a dirty and smelly van (it was not as and towels were put down as an extra) and this is where the dirt is from - despite the fact that the suite frame itself was just stood up and did not even touch any floor! The things smells so bad my friend cannot even have it in the lounge
I think the seller is pulled a fast one and is being extremely unhelpful. My friend is happy to pay for delivery back to him and wants a refund. Seller says it is not musty at all (he must have no nose - it's bad) and the dirt must be from the van! Does anyone know what the ebay position is? I think my friend can raise a dispute but does it make a difference that the item is already been collected (query what you do when you collect it and it's actually dark - which is the only time the collection could be done due to seller) - does it make a difference that her friend that picked up was made to sign something? - does it make a difference that she paid for it through PayPal. At a push my friend could resell it but would never get back what she paid for it as it is an old dirty couch that smells and it was not reasonably described. Surely saying nothing in the advert about things like wear is a misrepresentation?
Looking forward to your comments and advice. Thanks