eBay. Help needed.

[MildDrPepperAddiction]

V quick background. I bought an item on eBay which was damaged and dirty when I received it. (Definitely not damaged in transit). Seller has agreed to refund however will only do so once he receives item back from me.
I don't fully trust this seller so of course I will need to send tracked/recorded. The problem is that will leave me out of pocket even with the refund.

Do I have to return item for the refund (I took photos as soon as I opened item of the condition it was in) or should I just leave it?

Bump.

Was the item advertised as new and perfect, or as 'used'? Basically, do you think it's a matter of the seller being a con artist, or that you and s/he have different ideas of what counts as damaged/dirty?

What is the item? Is it a business seller?

As a personal ebay seller I would want the item back before i refunded, and if you send it recorded then that would be your choice, but then I wouldn't sell anything damaged or dirty - if you think the seller is not being up front open an ebay case and you should be protected

It's up to you if it's worth it.

What's worth doing isfiling a case with ebay under item not as described, and when you get to the box for what you want, ie refund, etc, tick 'other' - I have heard that sometimes ebay will do a no fault refund on smaller value items, so you don't have to return it.

If they decide it has to be returned then you will have to bear the cost of return postage and yes you'll need it tracked.

You can send it recorded now, then if he refuses to refund, you open a case and tell ebay your tracking number to prove it was returned.

Thanks everyone.

It's a personal seller and he advises he didn't know the item was damaged/dirty. Item was listed as used however no mention made of defects.

I just don't trust that someone wouldn't know/check what they are selling on eBay. I have sold some stuff myself and always check the condition of items and list any defects etc.

Will try opening a case and see how that goes.

You'd be surprised how often this happens - I've done it myself, listed stuff and assumed I knew the condition of it, then realised when I;ve come to send it that in fact it has a mark on it/ is broken slightly/ stuff like that.

He might be genuine, usually the non genuine ones refuse to communicate at all or refuse to accept a return full stop. Check his feedback too.

Opening a case won't be necessary if he does what he has promised and you can still do it afterwards if he hasn't refunded you. Also it might antagonise the situation if you do it prematurely.

You'll get your refund whatever, as ebay usually find in the buyer's favour but it'll be more pleasant if you can avoid going legal iyswim.

Also (not implying that there is anything wrong with you) some buyers on Ebay make a big fuss about small faults on used items because they want to keep the item and have their money back.

Definitely not a small fault. Pacapod feeder pod arrived with food in the seams, crumbs inside, cutlery pocket ripped and other small rips inside.

Don't see how someone couldn't know this was the condition it was in.

It sounds crap, whether or not he noticed. Send it back unless you can use it in which case negotiate a partial refund.