Magetic Clasp on Sterling Necklace Return
Hello, I listed a sterling silver necklace and sold it. The buyer has requested to return the item based on the clasp being magnetic and not sterling silver. This is quite new to me. People post and sell jewelry that have non-sterling beads or other similar doo-dads and the jewelry is called sterling silver. I have seen necklaces, like pearl, called sterling and only the clasp was sterling. I do not agree with that extreme but wanting to return a sterling silver necklace because the clasp is magnetic and not sterling, I think, is not an acceptable reason for a return. If I do accept the return anyway, I would not refund shipping. My question is please provide feedback. Am I correct?
13 comments
kensgiftshop
·2 years agoIf the buyer filed an INAD, you pay return shipping and the buyer gets a full refund.
stuff4divas
·2 years ago@stev.tucke lots of buyers will pick a reason for a return that trumps a seller's no returns policy.
not sure about a 'magnetic' clasp, to me it looks like a 'spring' clasp, but in the end, it is irrelevant.
buyers say anything they want to return items, whether true or false.
in this case, not worth haggling over, imo
pjcdn2005
·2 years agoIt is a spring clasp. By 'magnetic' the buyer is saying that the clasp reacts to a magnet and that means that it isn't sterling silver.
stev.tucke
OP2 years agoMy question is does a sterling silver necklace have to have a sterling silver clasp? My customer is saying it does. My experience and research says it does not. Some manufacturers put silver plate clasps on 925 necklaces because the are stronger. In those cases, they add a tag on the closure stamped 925. Reference picture. This is the necklace in question being returned. The clasp is silver plate and there is a tag because the clasp cannot be stamped 925.
 
 
lacemaker3
·2 years agoUnfortunately, as far as eBay is concerned, whatever your buyer says goes ...
What we're trying to tell you is that it wouldn't matter even if the clasp had been sterling ... if the buyer says it is not as described, and opens a return request with that reason, that is all that matters.
eBay doesn't have the necklace in hand to examine. They can't evaluate a he-said, she-said situation. They don't even try. If the buyer says the item is not as described, they accept the buyer's word for it. Since they can't evaluate the item to determine who is telling the truth, they just accept the buyer's word for it.
So it doesn't matter what kind of clasp the necklace had ... it doesn't matter at all.
stev.tucke
OP2 years agoThey are returning the sterling silver necklace because the clasp is not Sterling. They sent pictures showing a magnet holding up the necklace by the clasp. The clasp is not a magnet. My intended question which I screwed up should have been is a sterling silver necklace a sterling silver necklace if the clasp is silver plated?
bonjourami
·2 years agoYes I think it is, anytime I sold a piece of ss jewelry, I made sure to mention if anything on it was plated.
kalyoth
·2 years agoEven if it's fully disclosed, nothing can stop the returns process sadly. It protects the buyer more than the seller. It is best, with few exceptions, to accept the return as it is the least damaging to your ability to sell on ebay.
As to shipping, that depends upon the state of your seller rating, your defined policies before the sale & the type of return request opened by the buyer.
What type of request did they open?
stev.tucke
OP2 years agoThank you so much for the reply. The information on the return says,"Doesn't match description or photos. The clasp is not Sterling it is magnetic."
I have attached a picture of the clasp area. There is a tag in the middle of the clasp that is stamped Italy 925. In my experience, when the clasp is not Sterling a tag is used. For example, non-sterling clasps may be used because they are stronger than Sterling.
I will refund but I think if I am correct, I want to push back a little. Not all Sterling silver jewelry has a sterling closure. That does not mean it is not sterling jewelry. That's my story. I was wanting some input before I stuck to it. Ha!
 
 
bonjourami
·2 years agoI wouldnt push back too hard, and receive a defect for not providing a return label, and refund after return. Ebay will rule in favor of the buyer for not as described.If this is for the ten dollar necklace, Id say pick your battles.
stev.tucke
OP2 years agoThank you, I agree and will do that and gently. I only like the saying the customer's always right when I am the customer. Ha!
house*of*paws
·2 years agoHi @stev.tucke
I would expect the clasp to be sterling if any of the rest of the necklace was sterling ... since the clasp is where you usually see the purity stamp. [This is assuming someone hasn't changed the clasp for some reason.]
I'm not sure what point you're making by saying that some people mischaracterize jewelry.
Are you certain the beads are sterling? Do they tarnish?
stev.tucke
OP2 years agoThanks for the reply H.o.P. The necklace has a tag between the clasp and the ring the clasp attaches to. The tag is in the middle of the closure assembly (clasp and ring). I have always believed that is done when the clasp and ring are not sterling. A non-sterling clasp is used because it is stronger than a sterling closure. I have attached pictures.
My point, although not well made, is the clasp being plated silver does not make the necklace a non-sterling silver piece of jewelry. I was asking for