What can I do about buyers disputing clearly labelled sizings ?

[mabelsveryable]

I listed some clothing/footwear last week and my listings clearly stated no returns.

Of the items that have sold so far, I've had 2 requests for returns on the grounds that the items "aren't the size stated in the listing".

The listings clearly show the size labels and that's the size included in the specific item details. Neither buyer made contact prior to purchasing to ask for specific measurements.

If I myself bought stuff from an online retailer and wanted to return it because it didn't fit, I'd be expected to pay return postage (unless the retailer specifically offered free returns). Do my purchasers have the right to expect me to provide a free return postage label when there is nothing wrong with the item, they are the size stated on the labels, they just don't fit them well for some reason ?

I should add that these 2 items are "New without Tags" so there's no element of stretched with wear affecting the sizing.

Are you selling on ebay?

Unfortunately it's one of the risks. If you sell on Ebay people will just expect you to be as flexible as ASOS or M&S about taking returns. And i don't even know why ebay has a 'no returns accepted' option because all a customer has to do is say it was damaged, or didn't match the description and you have to accept it. If you don't ebay will refund them anyway so you may as well accept the return, at least get your item back.

Sone people do this thinking you will just give them a dull refund and tell them they can keep the item, because it would cost you more to pay for the return label, so if you say ok, return it then, they might not contact you again. Because they actually want the item, just for free.

@rabbitwoman yes it's ebay.

In future, put garment measurements in your listing, and include photos of the tape measure laid out across the garment. At the very least do the armpit to armpit and length measurements.

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads even for footwear ?

Well I guess it would be tricky with footwear.

I thought if you put no returrns it's caveat emptor, and the buyer is free to resell the item anyway. You aren't a shop.

Is it a problem with Uk vs US sizing? I buy shoes from a retailer that sells using US sizes , I’m a Uk 5, US 7 for example. In which case someone might have a point.

@Daisymay2 the pair of shoes I sold was brand new with labels on stating the size. I've tried them on as they're my size and they fit perfectly. The buyer is stating that they're 2 sizes bigger and "enormous on their feet".

Yes, there is an american size (coincidentally 2 sizes larger) moulded into the sole but I know these are the correct uk size I listed them at as shown on the tags as, like I say, I've tried them on and they fit perfectly in line with the size shown on the tags.

They're using the "item not as described" option to request a return but they are exactly as described and the photo's were accurate and showed the american size number on the sole. If they were confused about it they should have asked before bidding.

The trousers were listed and sold as 16 L.
Again, I know that they are that size as I've tried them on and that's my usual size but the buyer's message says
"I have received the trouser but they are not a size 16 as advertised. I therefore wish to return them". I think she failed to spot the L included in the size in the listing.

I think the problem may well lie in inconsistency in shoe sizes between manufacturers. My shoes range from a 41 (Birkenstock) to 8 (Clark’s) to 9 (New Balance)

This is prevalent in eBay and is just a ruse to get a free item. Normally they want the postage sent to return the item which of course often isn’t worth it unless an expensive item. So you leave it with them - bingo, a new item!

eBay always sides with them. For your own heartache I would move on.

But when you sell on ebay you do have to follow the same rules as any shop, so you are, legally, the same as any online retailer.

No retailer has to accept back an item you have bought unless its not as described or broken. But big online retailers will offer that as standard customer service, so you can buy something, try it on at home and return it if you don't like it.

When someone buys something from you on ebay they expect the same level of service but by law, they would have to pay postage to return it yo you, unless it's broken or not as described.

So a dishonest buyer will just say it's broken or not as described, and if you don't agree to pay return postage ebay will just take it from your account anyway, so you just may as well agree to the return and get you item back.

You can raise a case with ebay but there's no point, they support the buyer and anyway, that's just the law.

So, a lot of sellers will just say, keep the item, then, rather than shell out for return postage.

I am very very wary of selling clothes on ebay. I fell foul to this when I very first started selling during covid and was livid, but really, it's just a downside of selling clothes. I stick to mugs, purses, things like that.