Prblem with item bought on ebay- what would you do?

[hongkongzoe]

I bought this Blossom Farm Activity Ring off ebay. It was sent by recorded delivery and I picked it up from the post office today.

When I unpacked the ring and tried to blow up the base I noticed there was a small puncture. It doesn't really effect the product too much as its still usable.

I contacted the seller and let her know and she sent me this reply:

"Hi, Can you please send me a picture as you can see from our picture the ring and base is inflated when I sold the ring there was no such mark and as you can see from my previous feedback, I list very honestly and would have said if there was a puncture, hole, repair etc. If you are not happy with the ring you can send it back to me and on receipt I will refund you less my postage paid."

Her feedback is 100% and very good. However, the parcel arrived in tact, there was no damage in the post, so the hole must have been there before. Fair enough, she probably didn't notice it, but why should I lose out on two lots of postage if I send the item back?

It is impossible to tell from the picture if there is a hole as there is a cushion that goes over the base, so you can't see it clearly.

I am happy to keep it if she refunds me £5, do you think it is ok to ask this. How should I proceed?

Didn't it come with a puncture repair patch???

If it doesn't affect the ring i wouldn't worry about refunds tbh, however if you are bothered get the refund minus the postage as that is all you will get from paypal anyway.

I don't understand.
Was there a puncture that had been repaired? Otherwise how can it still be useable, isn't it just going down all the time (pffffffffffffffffffffftttttt )

If it has a punture thats been repaired, she probably got given/bought on ebay the thing and is just selling it on without a close inspection.

No harm asking for a refund on the basis that you don't see why you should lose out 2 lots of postage for a damaged item.

Fluffy- It did, but that's not the point, I didn't buy it knowing there was a puncture, I don't want to faff around repairing it.

Life's way to short to worry about things like this to be honest with you. I do see your point though. It's a two minute job. I'd fix it myself and charge her £1-2 for it. This is me though, too much faff to send it back. £5 refund is taking the micky IMO though. Sorry.

Flibberty- There are two air pockets, one for the ring and one for the base. The base has a puncture in it, the ring is fine. There was nothing stated about any punctures in the listings!

I think on reflection, as it's still usable and the seller seems honest from her feedback I will just forget it...It contains my giant baby which is the main thing! I shall now get off mumsnet and stop posting threads about such trivial matters Thanks for all responses!

I doubt you will get a refund voluntarily after all it did come with a repair kit, if you go through paypal you will only get the price less the postage and you will have to send it back at your own cost.

just thought I'd point out - a paypal refund is a full refund, which obviously includes the p&p

oh, i should add - any refund should be a full refund, ie include the p&p. If a seller offers you a refund that doesn't include the p&p simply decline and if need be go through paypal