Buyer claiming vintage item 'not as described'

[LapsedPacifist]

Just a rant really - I sell vintage clothing on ebay and am slowly losing the will to live. I sold a 1980s cotton tea dress this week and have just received a message from the buyer saying she wishes to return it. Buyer claims a button fell off when she tried the dress on (the dress has a double row of bottons from neck to hem, so LOTS of buttons) and it 'seems a bit faded'. The dress is not faded in the slightest - the colours are still absolutely vibrant (see pic)

I have a dislaimer on all my descriptions stating all my items are at least 20 years old and normal wear and tear is to be expected. I ALWAYS offer full refunds, even when the buyer just wishes to return because the item doesn't fit them properly, (I always provide detailed measurements) provided the buyer pays return postage.

But this buyer claims 'item not as described' so I will be forced to pay return postage. Am furious.

I would be furious too, but tbh there's nothing you can do except accept the return, pay the postage, block the seller and move on. I'm a business seller and it really grates me about how many idiots there are out there, but sadly there's not a lot you can do about it apart from vote with your feet and ditch eBay (which sadly isn't an option for me).

PS that's a beautiful dress!

Thanks! Was tempted to argue the toss re. the postal charges, , but everything is stacked aganist the seller these days.

I have an Etsy shop as well, but have only sold one item so far in 2 months - a lovely dress sent yesterday to a buyer in the USA who needs the dress for a wedding on the 10th September. She didn't want to pay £45 for express delivery, so we are keeping our fingers crossed the dress will arrive in time!

Do you have a FB page? I will follow you, this is right up my street.

Thanks MarthasHarbour - my facebook page is here but I haven't updated for a while!. DS is just about to start university, so new listings are currently on hold for a few weeks!

I only sell vintage clothing in modern sizes 14-28! It can be really difficult and frustrating for vintage lovers to source clothes in 'larger' sizes, and many items are listed and described as an '18' for example because that's what's in the label, when in fact they will only fit a modern size 14. I always provide detailed measurements for my clothes.

Ooh no advice on Ebay but just to say I remember having that same dress in the late 80's. It's a real blast from the past.

insanityscratching! I have bought and sold on several occasions versions of dresses that I owned myself 30-odd years ago for sentimental reasons . Not the best business strategy perhaps, but my taste can't be all bad!