item not as described but seller doesn't accept returns. What should I do?

[AnAngelWithin]

I bought a queen anne cruet set for DHs aunty off ebay for christmas. Cost me £7.51 with postage. Described as unused, in excellent condition and would make an ideal gift. Anyway, this morning it came and the whole box was dented cos it had been dropped by royal mail, and it was only wrapped in a single layer of brown paper anyway. Well I was going to rebox it anyway, but when I opened it, all the silver plate on the top of the salt, pepper and mustard pots are discoloured. the plate they all sit on is really brown on the handle and underneath. the photograph on the listing doesn't show any of this (obviously had the pots and handle 'the right way around') and there is no mention of any discolouring in the listing either. i don't feel able to give this as a gift, but it says in the listing that the seller does not accept returns. Can I still ask them for a refund?? TIA

They can't refuse to refund under these circumstances. Did you pay via Paypal...?

Of course you can ask for a refund. You didnt get what you asked for. When I see that sellers dont accept refunds I assume that to mean that they dont accept returns for no reason ie they wont take it back just because you dont like it.

yes i paid via paypal. Also looking at the picture, its got a tag on the plate, but the one i have been sent hasn't got one on it. how on earth do i ask for a refund without appearing snotty though??

State your case calmly and include photos maybe. Don't threaten a Paypal claim until the seller has refused to be reasonable though.

ok what about this....

hello. I have recieved this item this morning and I am afraid I am not very happy with it. It had obviously been dropped in the post as there was a fair dent in it, and also, there is an awful lot of discolouring to the item so it is not in the excellent condition that you advertised it at. There is also no tag on the item as shown in the item photograph. I bought this as a gift for my husbands aunty, but feel that I cannot give it to her as there is too much discolouring. I would therefore like a full refund on the item. Even though it says you do not accept returns, if you wish me to send you the item back send me your address so i can send it back, as long as you also reimburse my postage costs. Thank you.

I would remove "Even though it says you do not accept returns,"

I would skip the "dropped in the post" bit too. The seller can get into a quibble about whose fault that is, suggest you take it up with Royal Mail, etc., but the key issue is the condition of the contents. I would be more explicit about that part and say what you did here ("All the silver plate on the top of the salt, pepper and mustard pots are discoloured and the plate they sit on is really brown on the handle and underneath") rather than "there is an awful lot of discolouring".

I would leave out the postage problem too. Your email sounds fine and include the 2 ammendments above. Good luck

hello. I have recieved this item this morning and I am afraid I am not very happy with it there is an awful lot of discolouring to the item so it is not in the excellent condition that you advertised it at. There is also no tag on the item as shown in the item photograph. I bought this as a gift for my husbands aunty, but feel that I cannot give it to her as there is too much discolouring. I would therefore like a full refund on the item.

I await to hear from you with thanks

I would also leave out above lines but the rest sounded fine .

Sorry leave out those not in above

I put down that I don't accept refunds but that is only because I don't want people to think they can have things on approval, I am not a business. However if someone wasn't happy I would give a full refund.