Grrr....please tell me whether this is in new condition (EBay related)

[Mycarsmellsoflavender]

DS (13) wants a grey fluffy fleece dressing gown. Trawled through Amazon and eBay and found one I thought would fit the bill. New with tags - they had several in different sizes. Below are 2 close up photos from the eBay listing. What I received looks very different. The fleece is clumped and looks as though it has been through the wash 20 times. There are threadbare patches in several places. It looks like it's fit for the fabric recycling bin in the local charity shop. Suspect someone previously has bought it, used it, had a change of heart, washed it and retied the tag back on and returned to seller without disclosing that it has been used. I contacted the seller with some photos and have just received the reply "it's just how the material is".
I'll attach some more photos of the item i received in the following post. Do you think I am justified in saying this looks used and doesn't match the photos in the listing?

It’s difficult to tell from the pics, but it looks like it might be slightly matted in places? If so I’d say that it had been worn and washed several times

3 more pictures of the item I received.

Just to clarify, the first 2 photos in the OP are from the advert. The others are mine.

Definitely looks like it's been washed a few times... I'd return it.

It does look like it's been washed. I'd definitely return it

I've sent him the photos but he's insisting it's how the material is. Think I'm going to have to take it though eBay resolution centre.

What does it smell like? Some fleece is a bit more clumpy than others. What brand is it? Do they still sell them or similar?

It doesn't really smell of anything so I would guess it's been washed in plain water rather than detergent. They had several for sale in different sizes and colours. I suspect a dishonest buyer has used it, washed it and then returned it for a refund. Or maybe swapped it for an older one in the same style / size. The tag is tied on so easy to remove and re-tie.

Unbranded but I've seen the same design and colours for sale on Amazon at a similar price.

Do the amazon ones give any more clue to the tuftiness of the fleece?

Am I dreaming, or has it changed colour as well?

I think it probably is new but you don't and it is your opinion that matters. Go through eBay and get a refund.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B076H8ZD6Y/ref=mpssa111?ie=UTF8&qid=1511877105&sr=8-1&pi=ACSX2366SY340QL65&keywords=boys+grey+dressing+gown&dpPl=1&dpID=51GqgTP5MPL&ref=plSrch

Can't post any more photos today as I've reached my limit. Third photo on link above shows pockets in close up detail. Definitely fluffy, not clumped/ matted.

Gingernaut, no it hasn't! They have a Navy one in the same design with the same grey fleece pockets. Which are fluffy in their photo.

Go through ebay to get a refund. They will take your side. Go to a proper shop like M&S or Debs to get a decent dressing gown.

It could just be the type of material. Especially if it's non branded.

I looked at both M&S and Debenhams online before I bought this but couldn't find anything in his size that fitted his specification. ( no bright colours, no pictures / logos, soft polyester fleece, to fit a tall slim 13 year old preferably for a couple of years to come). I am finding early teens a difficult age to source clothes for - men's clothes too bulky, limited range in older boys' clothes and some designs are too childish or colourful, women's clothes although a better fit are mostly not suitable style/ colour wise. M&S had a nice boys' navy dressing gown but had sold out in the biggest size. Might go back to looking for a black one in the ladies department.

Ew. Looks very used.

it doesn't look soft and fluffy :(

It definitely looks used and washed to me.

Teddy fleece looks clumpy but that looks washed.

Would a small mens not fit, especially if you want a few years out of it?

www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2658422_c229/melange-fleece-dressing-gown-grey

www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2659321_c229/premium-dressing-gown-light-grey

Have you checked inside the sleeves at the wrists? If it's been worn there might be some giveaway bobbling.

Thanks for the link. I think I will go for a small adults size as suggested. He's a bit shorter and skinnier than me at the moment but he'll soon grow.

Good idea about the insides of the sleeves - I'll have a look out of interest although overall, I feel it's irrelevant. It may just have got dirty during storage / transport rather than being worn and someone decided to wash it, possibly several times and reapply the labels but the end result is the same : it is not in new condition. I don't have any issues at all with second hand clothing if it's sold and priced as such but this was nearly £15 for what looks like a rather scruffy second hand dressing gown.

No further reply from seller. I'm trying to arrange to return it.

If you do return it, make sure you wait until the seller sends you an electronic returns label, so you don’t have to pay return postage.

If they refuse, contact eBay and they will send you one.

Looks like a different type of fleece to the original ad.