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Original poster

Faded Item Described as Mint. What would you do?

132 replies

DrowningEveryDay · 10/05/2018 23:45

I bought an item that was described as mint/store display. Since I really wanted it, I purchased it eventhough I knew I'd incur customs duty (the total was around $400 AUD with the GST, and the various fees - customs entrance, duty, broker fee, etc).

When the item arrived, I immediately noticed the fading in the collar and at the back.

What would you do if you were me? The jacket totalled around $950 US with the shipping (not including the customs fee). If I were to return, I will not get the customs duty back.

I messaged the seller but no reply yet.

Faded Item Described as Mint. What would you do?
Faded Item Described as Mint. What would you do?
Faded Item Described as Mint. What would you do?
OP posts:
Badweekjustgotworse · 13/05/2018 00:37

What did eBay say? Sounds like she’s trying to minimise her loss by weasling out of paying the full amount due to you.

Helloflamingogo · 13/05/2018 00:43

Sorry, ignore me!

ChanandlerBongsNeighbour · 13/05/2018 00:47

I'd be wary of the 'looking forward to receiving a mint jacket back' line she looks like she's going to take too! What are the chances of her claiming you have sent her a different jacket back and refusing the refund?

Helloflamingogo · 13/05/2018 00:51

I missed that bit too, it doesn't sound like sending it back will end well.

Evangelinee · 13/05/2018 00:54

What does she mean reimburse the difference? Hmm
I'm not sure she would get far with claiming it's a different jacket. EBay would take the buyers side.

PintOfMineralWater · 13/05/2018 00:57

How stressful. What's her feedback like?

I have also come across several ebay sellers with sick family members. Hmm

Original poster
DrowningEveryDay · 13/05/2018 01:23

I'd be wary of the 'looking forward to receiving a mint jacket back' line

Yeah, me too. She already claimed it wasn't the jacket she sent me, as according to her, she sent me a perfect jacket.

What does she mean reimburse the difference?

Exactly. I don't know what she means. She is supposed to pay for the full return postage!

How stressful. What's her feedback like?

Very good actually. Just 1 neg out of 1200 feedback, which was why I was very confident when I bought from her. However, I also have excellent feedback both as a buyer and a seller, with items more expensive than this.

I'm not sure she would get far with claiming it's a different jacket. EBay would take the buyers side.

Yeah. I don't know what her deal is. But basing on our communications so far (sob story/can't see fading > case opened, now can see fading but pictures are of not the jacket she sent me > send back the jacket, she will reimburse the difference, want mint jacket back) I won't be surprised if she tries this.

I'm already out $400, + $37 since I am sending the jacket back with insurance (and I think I might have to cover insurance). This is so annoying.

OP posts:
Evangelinee · 13/05/2018 01:26

Definitely speak to eBay before doing anything.

I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to claim the jacket wasn't the one she sent but I'm 100% confident eBay & PayPal would decide in your favour.

Also when she refunds you it should automatically refund everything you paid including shipping and customs etc.

Original poster
DrowningEveryDay · 13/05/2018 01:32

Also when she refunds you it should automatically refund everything you paid including shipping and customs etc.

I didn't pay using the Global Shipping Program for the customs. I filed it myself through a customs broker when the item arrived. I thought the eBay quote was expensive, turned out it was correct. I should have opted for the GSP but I didn't expect to have this problem.

OP posts:
19lottie82 · 13/05/2018 07:19

but can't provide a label.

Of course she can. Maybe not by purchasing one through the resolution Centre, but she can buy a suitable one from a courier online and email it to the OP.
The OP just needs to check it’s going to the official return address as confirmed by eBay and it’s trackable online.

I’d still hold out on this one until you have official advice from eBay. Definitely DO NOT post it, covering costs yourself and expect the seller to reimburse you.

19lottie82 · 13/05/2018 07:21

Also when she refunds you it should
automatically refund everything you paid including shipping and customs etc.

The seller has to refund the original postage but not the customs charges.

As I previously advised I’m not sure how things work in oz but I would urge the OP to triple check she can’t get them back from customs once she returns the jacket, because I know you would be entitled to a refund in the U.K. (although it is a lengthy process)

Original poster
DrowningEveryDay · 13/05/2018 07:23

she can’t get them back from customs

I can get back the GST (lengthy process too) but I won't get the rest of the fees (customs entry, processing, etc). The GST is just $129 I think or something like that.

OP posts:
NameChangeCuzImAHorriblePerson · 13/05/2018 07:55

I would keep the jacket, polish it up like PPs have suggested and push for a partial refund. I wouldn't be sending it back, because I reckon they'll dispute that you've sent the actual item back, or they'll claim its got lost in transit or some other bollocks. Also, you're going to be out of pocket if she doesn't refund your delivery charges entirely.

Original poster
DrowningEveryDay · 13/05/2018 08:17

push for a partial refund

I suggested this but the seller wanted me to send back the item, initially with me paying for the return postage.

OP posts:
Original poster
DrowningEveryDay · 13/05/2018 08:25

Update:

I called eBay and they reviewed the case and the message from the seller. They have decided to take action because of the message of the seller that she will "reimburse the difference."

They got a quotation from Australia Post website, and they will cover the shipping fee back with tracking and delivery signature (they won't cover the insurance though but that's fine with me). According to them, once the tracking shows delivered, I'd be refunded the cost + original shipping fee.

OP posts:
ScreenQueen · 13/05/2018 09:06

Oh that sounds more like it. Yay. Please make sure you take pics of the jacket actually going into the courier package with labelling it as the brand name acne jacket. Bet she tries to claim it's not the one she sent (or that you didn't send a jacket back at all 😂) so make sure your photos unequivocally show it is indeed the identical jacket and that it was the item inserted and sent back via the courier.

ScreenQueen · 13/05/2018 09:10

Also make sure instructions for delivery state only the specific addressee can sign for it in case she makes out the courier company "lost it" by allowing someone else to sign for it.

Original poster
DrowningEveryDay · 13/05/2018 09:12

Thanks ScreenQueen! I am planning to take a video of the whole thing if the PO staff agrees to help. Otherwise, I will take detailed pictures. I'm really so scared of this seller! It seems she will try everything!

OP posts:
Original poster
DrowningEveryDay · 13/05/2018 09:12

only the specific addressee can sign for it

Good tip! Will do this!

OP posts:
Original poster
DrowningEveryDay · 13/05/2018 09:13

What an expensive collosal nightmare this has been so far.

OP posts:
FesteringCarbuncle · 13/05/2018 09:19

What a pain in the arse of a seller
They always have a bloody sob story. A friend bought a not as described item and was ignored for a while by the seller then got a horrible message saying I hope you discover what it's like to lose a child
We didn't believe it but she felt she had no option except to drop the case

19lottie82 · 13/05/2018 09:43

We didn't believe it but she felt she had
no option except to drop the case

Why?

Badweekjustgotworse · 13/05/2018 13:58

Glad eBay are backing you up OP, she’s sounds like a chancer

FesteringCarbuncle · 13/05/2018 15:34

19lottie82
I thought she should open a case but she was worried they really had lost a child.
The way the message was written didn't ring true to me

19lottie82 · 13/05/2018 16:20

I thought she should open a case but
she was worried they really had lost a
child

Maybe I’m with you and a bit more hard nosed!

If they really had, then I doubt they would be throwing it in to an eBay debate for good measure.

Sob story scammers really get up my nose!

Occasionally things happen which can affect your eBay sales, but it’s still easy to sniff out the scammers compared to genuine sellers a mile off.