I helped sell somebody else's shoes that I listed as new and buyer claims that they don't look new
I was helping a family friend sell some shoes and I listed them as new. I didn't really ask if she had worn them and didn't inspect them fully. The buyer said that there is fading of the manufacturing lettering inside one of the soles of the shoes and that there are other indications that the shoes have been worn. The shoes looked clean and barely worn but I just sold them to help someone out. The buyer is a reseller and says that they will have to sell them as used.
25 comments
inhawaii
·6 months ago"Barely worn" is not new. Why did you list/sell them as new?
You have 3 choices.
1) Full refund. Keep the shoes.
2) Partial refund (if you can both agree on an amount).
3) Return shoes (not as described) for a full refund.
train_slide_central
·6 months ago"New" is only "new". It is never worn once, nearly new, or anything else.
simba6
·6 months agoEither refund in full and let them keep them for free or issue a paid return label and refund in full when you receive them back. If you do nothing, eBay will choose the latter and ding you for poor customer service.
If the listing said new and they were not, can't blame the buyer.
No good deed goes unpunished. More sellers have gotten into trouble just helping another sell an item then anything else.
pickapaper
·6 months ago@kbalb93 did not say the buyer filed a claim. She said they told her they are a reseller and will have to sell them as used. I took this to mean the buyer intends to keep the shoes. What I don't understand is why the buyer even mentioned the condition if they intended to keep them. It would be helpful to know exactly what was said between buyer and seller.
I respectfully disagree with some posters who say to give them a partial refund. I would not offer this buyer a partial refund. If they even say anything else, I would tell them if they are not happy with the shoes, that they can file a "not as described" claim and a label will be issued for the return of the shoes for a refund.
albertabrightalberta
·6 months agoMaybe the buyer mentioned it to give a little "dig" to seller who wasn't completely honest in her description and to let her know that she (the buyer) intends to list the shoes honestly and accurately.
@kbalb93
You've been offered great constructive criticism that I hope you'll take to heart.
My opinion is that it's better to over-describe any possible issues and have the buyer be happy with a "better than described" item than to have them be disappointed when they find undisclosed flaws.
mijardin
·6 months agoIf you listed the shoes as "new," unless you provided photos showing the soles and insoles with no signs of wear, I wouldn't dispute the buyer's claim. A partial refund should be offered along with an apology. Cut your losses to protect your feedback score and seller rating.
meme6253
·6 months agoWhether you are listing items of your own or someone else, You are the one making the listing & are responsible for describing the item accurately, If they looked slightly worn, That is not new & should be pointed out in your description & attach appropriate photos showing the worn areas.
pickapaper
·6 months agoI feel bad for the friend who originally owned the shoes. I have no idea what the shoes cost new but the friend ended up with almost no money for her shoes, which obviously had been worn very little. The shoes should have been listed as BIN and as used, but even then, they should have sold for more than $19.99.
This is a good example of someone trying to do a favor for a friend and it didn't work because they didn't know what they were doing.
wastingtime101
·6 months agoDefinitely. The reseller buyer is keeping them because they can still make a profit, just not as high of a profit as they hoped.
I suggest @kbalb93 learning how to use eBay's product research tool to price your items, and I also suggest properly identifying your items. Ditch auction format for items that have a fixed market value.
New Balance 990v5 average selling price in used condition: (link)
johnrj1226
·6 months agoIn your listing you described these shoes as NEW and eBays definition of New is -
"Item specifics
annadryl
·6 months agoUsing an AI description doesn't help either, especially when the real condition isn't the one listed.
albertabrightalberta
·6 months ago"Barely worn" shoes should have been sold as preowned! Looking clean doesn't = new.
wastingtime101
·6 months agoIt's apparent from the listing photos those New Balance sneakers are not new. the insides are dirty. The laces don't come from the factory like that.
You made an error here listing as new. Not only that, you listed as new with box. Did you have the box? I don't see a box in the photos.
There was no question in your post @kbalb93 - do you have a question?
In short: you messed up so you need to work it out with the buyer. If they want to return the sneakers then, per eBay policy, it's your responsibility to either send a prepaid shipping label or refund without requiring a return.
sakic92710
·6 months agoIt sounds like, since you were doing someone a favor, the fact that you sold used shoes as new should be forgiven by the buyer? I have no idea why you added this to the forum other that to get some agreement to that? 🤔
sfau
·6 months agoWhen in doubt list as used....
dolcetreasures
·6 months agoBarely worn = used.
soh.maryl
·6 months agoSorry -- new and barely worn are not the same thing. Sorry you had to learn that the hard way.
pickapaper
·7 months ago@kbalb93 "The shoes looked clean and barely worn but I just sold them to help someone out. The buyer is a reseller and says that they will have to sell them as used. "
Never list something as new unless you are positive it is new. Don't assume anything, especially when selling something for someone else.
Stop selling your items at auction. Nobody wants to wait a week for an auction to end to buy common items. Auctions only work well for items that are rare or hard to find or highly collectable. Figure out a price you want for your items and sell them as Buy it Now. These shoes are a perfect example of that. The shoes only got the one bid so the buyer got them cheap. It sounds like they will keep them and turn around and resell them for more, even if selling them as "used".
house*of*paws
·7 months agoHi @kbalb93
You listed ‘barely worn’ shoes as Brand New. That’s a huge difference to many buyers … especially if they purchased them for resale or as a gift.
What makes no difference whatsoever to a buyer is why or for whom you’re selling them.
Perhaps the buyer will accept a partial refund, which would seem to be the ideal solution. I would offer one. Good luck!
tobaccocardyahoo
·7 months agoNo good deed goes unpunished.
Offer to accept the return for a full refund and provide a return label.
Then deal with your "family friend". With friends like that ...
stuff4divas
·7 months ago@kbalb93 so, what is your question to us here in the community?
tools*
·7 months ago"If you're unhappy with the shoes, please return them for a full refund, including return shipping."
tinsoldierunderground
·7 months ago@kbalb93
This is one of the great caveats of selling on ebay - selling someone else's items. If the shoes looked 'barely worn', in my mind that's not new. It's in your best interests as a seller to follow the advice given by @bonjourami .
l5vw
·7 months ago"The shoes looked clean and barely worn but"
bonjourami
·7 months agoIf she opens a case, provide a return label, and refund after return.