Stained coat - what to do?

[cuppachar]

OK, I'm very new to ebay and just wondered what the etiquette is in this situation...

I saw a lovely pale pink Gap age 2 winter coat on ebay. It was really badly listed, so I was the only bidder and won it for 99p. It's arrived, and it has several stains on it (both inside and outside) and dark coloured bobbling on the white lining. None of this was mentioned in the ad or visible in the photo. I've tried washing it but none of the marks came out.

Thing is, I think I still probably got a bargain and if I relist it in September when more people are looking for winter coats, even with an accurate description, I could probably get more money for it.

Should I get my money back? (Would I get the £2 postage too or not?) Or keep it and sell it on honestly? (in which case what feedback should I leave, or just none?)

By coincidence the seller lives very locally so if I do want to return it I could just drop it round though I'd find that a bit embarrassing...

Thanks in advance!

this is a bummer. Did you check the seller's feedback before bidding? Bad descriptions are a real red flag ime.

For 99p I'd probably just suck it up, tbh. I generally don't sell stained stuff, but might be worth selling on in the autumn if you list it honestly. Otherwise just keep it for playing outside.

You could theoretically make a paypal claim, but it's probably not worth investing the effort.

Feedback was 100% positive (13 transactions as a seller, 24 as a buyer). The written description seemed clear and was well written but she didn't mention the age/size in the title, and didn't fill in any of the 'item specifics' so it was only by clicking into it that you could see what age it was for....

I think you're probably right in your advice though - thanks. Would you email her just to let her know or do you think I should just let it lie?

I would email her to say your opinion etc...
AND leave feedback to reflect your thoughts but AFTER you have contacted her.

Only fair imo so other sellers can see and have their own view whether to buy off her or not.

I emailed the seller saying I was disappointed with the condition of the coat and hadn't decided whether to keep it or not, but would she offer me a refund including postage if I wanted to return it. She immediately offered me a full refund but said I could keep the coat. She said she had so many clothes to sort through she hadn't noticed the stains and that she makes a loss on every sale anyway and just does it for environmental reasons so the clothes get used. If that was the case though why not just take them to a charity shop?

Anyway, I guess this means I leave positive feedback?

Hmmm..does sound a bit biazrre imo. TBH, I sell on ebay (not much, just bits that I would rather get £3 for than 30p iykwim..) BUT if I was selling at a loss I would stop..? Stuff I get £0 for I give to charity etc..

IMO,I would leave positive (you can only leave positve) BUT make a comment about the experience, just so others are aware that she has rectified BUT was a bit misleading..she really should have checked the item:

1. Before photographing
2. Before listing
3. Once sold and packaging

Im no saint and mistakes can be made BUT I make an effort to check the item at various stages and would hate this to happen to me.

Reminds me of a pair of 4 month old shoes I sold of dd's. I had noted on the auction they were slightly scuffed BUT imo they were clark's and a bargin at £5 (auction end price.). Could be polished etc.
She left me positive BUT said, "Oh scuffed and not as expected"..

I replied that she needs to read auction properly and TBH had a bargin..Hmm..guess you can't win them all..