What is the best way to settle a dispute?

[BrianMolkoismyPlacebo]

I sold a toddler dress for £1.80. Postage £2.80. So £4.60 all together, not a lot of money.

There was a stain on front of dress, which I took a pic of and described.

Buyer received said dress, gave positive feedback.

Now one week later she has messaged me saying that the stain is more noticable than I described. (I said it was faint), and that she's found another small one (which I hadn't noticed). She claims the dress is unwearable. She hasn't explained what she would like me to do about her complaint.

Should I offer refund outright?.... Should I ask her to send dress back before I offer refund? It's only £1.80 but I don't want jer having it for free. I could give it to a friend if buyer doesn't want it.

God. Just refund. It's too much bother over less than two pounds and especially for a stained dress. Who buys a stained dress! She's paid a fiver almost for that in the end....and now she quibbles over another stain?

Weird.

Well yeah, that's what I thought. I only listed it as it's a popular branded one (and quite expensive new) so knew someone would be still keen to buy it.

Part of me, out of spite wants to make her return it for the faff!

Was the photo you posted an accurate representation of the stain? If so, and the fact that she initially left positive feedback, then it seems rather odd behaviour from her. I wonder if she has had second thoughts?

Yes it was. I took a picture and it struggled to show up the stain properly so explained that it was faint.

It's just a lot of faff over £1.80! And a risk you take buying on ebay. I've bought things that I've not been keen in in real life. But tough!

The description was accurate

Could you ask her to photograph the stains? She can send the photo to you using the messages section of eBay.

I had a similar thing happen a couple of months ago. I sold a child's winter coat, pointing out a fault with it. When the person received it, they said it 'wasn't in excellent condition as described' ( I never said this) and wanted a full refund. When I pointed out that I had listed the fault in the description, the buyer then said it was 'stained and dirty'. When I replied that it had been in clean condition when it left here and could she send me a photo of the stains, I never heard back from her. I think some people just try it on, maybe after making an impulse purchase and then realising it's not what they wanted. Didn't leave any feedback either.

Cross post!

If you want her to return the dress, then you will have to purchase a pre paid returns label from eBay for £2.99, and once its returned, refund the purchase price and original postage cost.

Personally I'd just refund without the return.

Yeah I think I'll just refund her. Such a pain. This is why I've not used ebay to sell for ages!

Hasn't she already left positive feedback? In which case she has no bargaining tool. How come she only noticed the dress was 'unwearable' after a week and after she had left feedback? Surely if it was that obvious she would have noticed it?

exactly nenny

Nenny, the buyer doesn't need a "bargaining tool".

The OP has 2 choices.

1. pay £2.99 for the buyer to return the dress, then refund the purchase price and original postage cost.

2. let the buyer keep the dress and refund the purchase price and original postage.

No. 2 sounds best. I'm not keen on spending money!
I've emailed her back with 2nd option. Not heard anything yet

If offer a full refund and keep the dress I.e pay her £1.80. If she files a dispute and wins she gets a full refund and return postage costs which eBay take from you

Get her to open a not as described case (don't worry this won't have any negative effect on your standing with eBay), then you can refund with one click and you will get your fees refunded as well.

What a weirdo.... she was probably hoping to get rid of the stain and when it proved impossible, she decided to blame you instead... all for 1.80... I'm sorry you have to deal with her. I'd just let her send it back and pay the 1.80 to be rid of her.