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Original poster

Customer dissatisfaction- Am I in the wrong?

53 replies

poshsinglemum · 06/04/2009 15:26

I recently sold a pair of boots on e-bay. It was my first time selling so I was bound to go wrong somewhere.
I had only worn the boots once and described them as in excellent condition but with a few marks that added to the distressed look. They have been through several house removals so they are a bit battered but in my eyes they are in good nick.

There was also a delay in me sending the boots as I didn't realise that I had to verify with paypal etc. I was totally honest with the buyer about this and kept in touch.
The buyer has recieved the boots but has sent me a really arsey comment about the boots not being in 'excellent' condition as they looked worn more than once and had a ripple in the leather in the heel. I honestly forgot about this detail. She also said that the fur was a bit grubby. She resented paying £27 for them( the minimum bid plus postage) These boots retail for £80-£100 at least and are a sought after label- Destroy boots. She also made an arsey comment about being more than patient about waiting a week and a half for delivery. This is despite knowing that I had to wait for paypal verification and taht I am a first time seller and therefore a bit stupid when it comes to selling online.
I replied and apologised that she didn't think that the boots were in good condition but I thought that they were fine and didn't think that £27 was a bad deal considering the high retail price. I also said taht I have learned my first e-bay lesson- not to mention any potentially misleading adjectives such as 'excellent'.
I now feel rubbish- like some crook and I can imagine her writing me a rubbish rating.
I had several photos of these boots from different angles. So was I wrong to use the phrase 'excellent' condition? Mabe I should have used the phrase 'good condition'? I really didn't think that they were that bad. I think that I mislead the buyer and feel a bit bad.
This has put me off selling.

What I really feel like saying is 'cut me some slack fgs- I am a new mum to a young baby'

OP posts:
Original poster
poshsinglemum · 06/04/2009 17:07

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&item=300301166589

OP posts:
Original poster
poshsinglemum · 06/04/2009 17:08

Boots are as seen in photos. I think that they are battered but beautiful!

OP posts:
Bucharest · 06/04/2009 17:10

The photo looks clear enough to me. And your description isn't OTT.

ClaraDeLaNoche · 06/04/2009 17:13

I think your description is fair enough, you can see from the photos that they are distressed as you say. They are excellently distressed in fact.

tiggerlovestobounce · 06/04/2009 17:23

Your description reads OK to me, and your pictures are clear.
I couldnt see the word 'excellent' in your advert?

buggylovinmummy · 06/04/2009 17:28

The description seems fine to me and you didnt use the word excellent anyway. You can see from the photos that they are distressed but the soles look as you described so you can see theyve only been worn once.

smudgethepuppydog · 06/04/2009 17:31

I think the buyer got a good item for £20, is that the 'ripple' she's complaining about?

thumbbunny · 06/04/2009 17:43

I think your buyer is taking advantage of your newness to the game, tbh. The photos are very clear and the only issue I have with your description is that you need to learn to spell gorgeous!

cupcakesinthesnow · 06/04/2009 18:26

On seeing the link, I think your description is perfectly fair nd I can see they are a bit 'distressed' and agree that those sort of boots do look just fine slightly weathered. I would not have bid on them had I wanted 'perfect' condition but have to say I certainly wouldnt have complained if I did win them. You didn't say they were 'excellent' anywhere and I think you have been hard on yourself as initially from your firt few posts I thought you had 'bigged them up' when they were not that geat but that is NOT the case as far as I can see.

Are you going to relist them when the winner posts them back? I might bid :0

I take back what I said and don;t think you should have offered a refund as I dn;t think you have been deceitful in the desription at all. However, sadly I think you got a picky buyer so don;t take this experience personally

solidgoldshaggingbunnies · 06/04/2009 18:27

Some buyers are wanky. I am still a bit irritated with the woman who bought DS' old cot blankets (which were described as in VGC though well used) and returned them because they were not pristine enough for a magazine photoshoot. It hadn't occurred to me that there were loons people who would expect 40-year-old vintage blankets, desceibed as used, to be showroom-perfect. So I was out two lots of postage, grr.

cupcakesinthesnow · 06/04/2009 18:29

Might the postage have been a tad high? Is she arsey becasue of that? I can see they look heavy but you know what people are like? Did you send them firstor second class? I would tellt he buyrer she oays return postage costs and only refund the £20 and nt the postage you paid to send them as I do think the buyer is being a picky pain in the .

piratecat · 06/04/2009 18:42

she can see very cleary what they look like, she is deluding herself.

abraid · 06/04/2009 19:00

These boots seem fairly described to me.

You don't use 'excellent'.

Slammerkin · 06/04/2009 19:12

The boots auction seems fine to me. I think you were more than fair in your description and the photos are clear - it's not like you were trying to hide anything.

Just a heads up about something else, though, since you're an eBay newbie you might not be aware. I saw your Louis Vuitton clutch for sale via the above link, and it's actually against eBay terms and conditions to sell designer goods where you can't verify the authenticity (either with receipts, certificates of authenticity, or an authentication from My Poupette. Best case scenario, eBay will cancel your auction because you have no proof; worst, if it sells you may end up with a buyer complaining that they've taken it to be looked at and been told it's a fake. You'll then have to refund the buyer and probably won't get your bag back because buyer will be obliged to send it to be destroyed by trading standards.

If you believe it is genuine, take it to a Louis Vuitton or contact My Poupette and get them to verify it. Once you have that, you'll be able to sell it for a lot more than £80. If you can't verify it, then you'd do better not to try selling it on eBay at all.

PrammyMammy · 06/04/2009 19:45

Looks like th buyer is taking advantage here really. I think your description is fair and your photos are clear.

madrose · 06/04/2009 21:35

thought your description and photos fine, silly cow doesn't know what's she talking about. They probably didn't fit her and it's an excuse to send them back.

Lilyloo · 06/04/2009 21:47

You didn't use the word 'excellent' i think your listing was fine and you have been unfairly treated by the buyer!!!

SilkyDemon · 06/04/2009 22:15

I think your listing is perfectly reasonable, and that the buyer has changed her mind and is trying to bully you into refunding her - bearing in mind that sellers are no longer able to leave negative feedback for buyers, it gives some unscrupulous buyers carte blanche to behave badly on ebay. My advice to you, if you can be arsed with the hassle, is to refund her - less p & p of course - and relist the boots. I'm quite experienced on ebay, and ime is usually positive and a good way of raising some cash while having regular clear-outs; sorry your first selling experience has been tainted in this way. Don't be disheartened!

JaquelinehydeAllTheEggs · 06/04/2009 22:20

I think your description and photos were more than enough for the buyer to know exactly what she was getting.

Obviously got them and found they don't fit her properly, I think she has a real cheek to ask for her money back.

Good luck re-listing them.

Come on SM what do you reckon now you've seen the picture, is the OP still being unreasonable. Come on tell the truth you're the ebay buyer aren't you

mrsturnip · 06/04/2009 23:11

Your listing is fine.

I'd offer her money back on return of item (she pays postage and is asked to obtain proof of postage). I wouldn't offer her a part refund.

I think she's trying it on.

StercusAccidit · 06/04/2009 23:31

Have only read the OP

I sold some stuff on ebay and the buyers were fab about the time it took to send, being v v patient, i had just had DS so was a bit nackarrrrd and up to my eyeballs in it lol

They all left great feedback as well.

Erm, offer to refund her a fiver or something?

StercusAccidit · 06/04/2009 23:33

Oh

Realises looks stupid n runs off

ScottishMummy · 06/04/2009 23:44

i dont go on ebay,too many chancers.

abraid · 07/04/2009 16:23

Good, because you sound like the buyer from hell.

StercusAccidit · 07/04/2009 22:37

I have never had a bad experience on ebay

Must be my wit and charm lol

Had a few items not received and the seller has always refunded or sent a replacement out, IMO the only thing that ruins ebay for me is bloody royal snail mail.