NWT - Altered Tags on item

[serine23]

If a seller has a picture of an item with the price tags on the item, and is selling an item as "New With Tags" can they alter the tags after purchase? I have an item I bought that arrived with the partial tags since the seller has chopped them in half (reducing the chance of making sure it is authentic), and notice the seller has in small print at the bottom of the item listing, tags may be cut to prevent returns to a store. This item was limited and out of print for more than a year now. You couldn't possibly return it even if you wanted to. It was intended as a gift. You can't say something is "New with Tags" and then alter the tag after someone has paid right? That's NWOT right? Nor can you use a stock image showing full tags, and then cut them in half. (I'm not talking about a small store perforated hanging price, but the original merchant tag with bar code, etc. Her entire store is listed this way. Am I wrong in thinking that is against the rules and ethically wrong?

[mtgraves7984]

Well, in my humble opinion, the seller ought to show photos of the ACTUAL item (and tag) that you'll receive, but that's neither here nor there... the seller only mentioned it in the listing. And NWOT would be without a tag at all.

If it couldn't be returned anyway, I don't see that the cut tag would be a deal-breaker. After all, you tracked down an OOP item for your 'giftee'. To me, the thought behind the gift means just as much as the gift and more than the tag.

You ask, "Am I wrong in thinking that is against the rules and ethically wrong?" Again (IMHO)... to me, it's not 'against the rules and ethically wrong', since the seller describes exactly what's available. But I can't tell you that you're wrong... ethics are awfully subjective.

So, were you happy enough with the purchase to give it as your gift? 🤞

[serine23]

Thanks for your reply! And very thoughtful perspective. I'm going ahead with a not as described claim. I just don't feel convinced that 1: it's authentic, and 2: that is makes a great gift with the tags cut (it's a really cute import and the tags were cute too in the original image) since that gives it a clearance vibe. I feel conflicted because while I think it "could" have made a nice gift, I also sell on eBay,  and I would never alter an item or remove tags. It's sort of like taking a toy out of the box and then shipping it as new, for someone who collects things, it's no longer mint/new. This isn't exactly the same, but similar to a friend who's into geeky / collectible things.