Just received some trousers - they have a stain and stink of smoke.

[vacaloca]

I'm not that experienced with ebay. What would you normally do - wash them to see if the stain will go and if not return? It's a fairly big brown stain just under the back pocket - unmissable. Warn first that that's what I'm going to do? How about the smoke smell? It really is pretty awful. But I guess it didn't say anything about a smoke-free house, so I don't think I can complain about that, can I?

I would send them back and complain to ebay if you come across any problems. You shouldn 't have to wash and clean items as it is expected that they will arrive in a nice wearable condition.

So ask for your money back incl postage and send them back. unless they were only a few pounds then maybe just wash them and save the hassle.

How annoying tho!

They were £9 including p&p. Probably worth sending back, I imagine. I'll write to them and see what they reply. Thanks for the advice.

She's agreed to the refund. What's the usual procedure now? Do I post and then she'll refund or do I wait for the refund first? She said she'd do it on Monday. And would I need to leave feedback after that, and if so, what would you say on the feedback? Sorry for all the questions.

you return them trackable. She then refunds in full.
feedback is always optional. If she communicates well and refunds promptly then there is no need for a neg. words could be seller communicated and rectified problems very well.... or something

do you mean send them 'signed for'? would she refund the cost of that too?

Technically the seller only have to refund the bid price and the original cost of postage - the cost of return postage, and this needs to be by recorded delivery, is your responsibilty. However most sellers will also refund you the postage back - after all if they've made the mistake it's hardly fair for you to out of pocket.

I agree with SLM re feedback, if all goes well with the refund, and you're not left out of pocket theres no reason not to leave positive.