Advertised new, received unused item but slightly degraded material

Question

I bought some small engine foam air filters advertised as "new, open box". The ones I received are not used but are discolored, and smell like a moldy basement.

They will work but I'm not sure they will survive another few years on the shelf (I change them every year).

If I return them, I pay for postage which cancels any advantage of buying them on eBay.

What would you do?

kathiec · Accepted Answer

@eclecticshelves

If the filters were advertised as new they're required to function as new. Since these won't you should open an 'item not as described' return. In that type of return the seller is required to pay return shipping. I suggest you read about eBay's Money Back Guarantee:

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy?id=4210