Dilemma , either way, Iose.

[yhlml]

I sold as baseball cap, pre owned in very good condition for $39, it looked unused. I just got this message from the buyer..."Thank you I just received the hat and it’s great. It has an issue. The Velcro back has come apart see picture. Please let me know how to proceed" . He sent me one tiny photo of the back strap that is falling apart. The hat had no issues and you can even see in my photos that there was no damage. I have a close up of the strap.  I asked for more photos with the surrounding area. I thought I might offer him a partial refund because that seems like what he is insinuating. If I just ask him to return for a full refund, I'm going to get back a damaged hat. Seems like I lose either way. 

[Anonymous]

Oh Red3Rose can't believe you said this: 
"Seems like an awful lot of trouble to go through for a $40 cap, though."

A $40 sale to a person on limited SS or a family trying to feed their family or like you selling vintage clothing, whoever is selling on ebay is needing a sale to make money.

I find it very disrespectable to quote what you said to everyone on here selling.  We are all on here to make money whether it be to make a living or just extra money for luxuries. 

If you find OP's story hard to accept then don't post.
 

[this*old*attic]

I wouldn’t argue with you, because I’m trying to ferret out the same clues - but for me the pic is just too crummy to tell.

[this*old*attic]

Seriously, are you kidding me? Wow. Unbelievable.

[yhlml]

Hi 

He messaged me five minutes after it was delivered. I think he had a photo and message before he even got my hat. Seems fishy. 

: )

[yhlml]

Thank you and everyone else who posted positive comments. I had second thoughts about even asking because I knew there would be "not nice' comments.

[yhlml]

Thank you for all of your time. 

[abfabvintage]

@yhlml 

When, and if, you get the additional buyer's pix, please do send them here. Feel for you...happens a lot, you are not the only one having to deal with issues like this. Glad you came here for some positive advice. Good luck. 

[yhlml]

I will, thank you. I haven't heard anything back from him yet.

[yhlml]

Hi, Yes we are, I thought about that too when I checked. He is in Florida and I'm in NJ

[dippitydoo]

Hello red3rose.....

I know it is annoying AF....but so are buyers who pull this as a regular stunt. When you buy things, as per your perspective, you aren't seeing this happen to you, as a buyer, over and over again.  Where as sellers, we DO see this over and over, and yes, annoying AF.

-Dippitydoo

[dippitydoo]

I agree with you, Madison....damage like that would have been OBVIOUS prior to shipment...looks like the top layer of velcro has completely become loose (as in unstitched, which does not happen during shipment).  Easy to pull loose some thread, pull it apart and take a photo.

That said....if the seller wants to give a partial, were it myself, I would only offer an amount that reflects the actual damage to the overall useability of the hat; in this case, a simple stitch or two on the sewing machine or by hand should fix it just fine....he paid $39.00, so a $5.00 partial would be appropriate.  In my opnion.  

Dippity

[dippitydoo]

"It's a conversation, not a cross examination!".......could have fooled us with all your attempts to prove the damage is most certainly fabric rot, beyond a reasonable doubt.   🙂

-Dippitydoo

[this*old*attic]

That’s an exaggeration of my stance, but okay.

[equid0x]

---

@yhlml wrote:

Photo of "damage." Looks like something his dog chewed. 

---

I agree looks dog chewed to me. 

[equid0x]

---

@7606dennis wrote:

---

@this*old*attic wrote:

Perhaps.

But look at it in another way. From a customer’s view it’s petty and a number of other negative attributes not to offer a REALISTIC partial when there’s a problem but the item is still good enough to keep.

They wanted the item, took time searching for it, put some effort into buying it, waited for it to arrive, had plans for how to use it and were invested in all ways.

Only for there to be an issue - it’s disappointing.

And if it’s a bad, boneheaded, possibly lying intentional issue (in the eyes of a now disappointed AND suspicious buyer), they are rolling their eyes and possibly ANGRY when the seller expects them to go through the hassle of letting go of it and shipping it back - all because they won’t refund a few bucks so the item price now reflects the item’s true worth or the cost of actual repairs.

I know I sound like EBay, but it creates a poor buying experience and it’s annoying AF.

 I am one of those buyers who would rather work out a stain or repair a zipper,  barge glue a shoe, pay a jeweler to fix the clasp, keep 5 cute mid century bar glasses when the 6th is chipped, etc.

I may still want whatever it is but it’s essentially SNAD and not the item that was described, so it isn’t worth the original price.

That’s what most buyers are thinking; they aren’t out to “get” sellers.

---

I'm still not a fan of partial refunds.  If the item was damaged during shipping I don't want my customers to have to settle for a damaged product for a few bucks off the price.  If there is an issue with the item that I didn't catch (shame on  me) I still don't want the buyer to have to settle for less than they should have received.  Besides, I want to see the defect myself to determine if it is something I need to discuss with my supplier.

If I, in my judgement, determine that the defect is something I missed and should have disclosed in the listing or should have caused me not to list the item and I deem the cost of the return isn't worth it, I would simply apologize for my mistake, refund the buyer in full and ask them to dispose of the item as they see fit.  Of course, I would have to accept whatever feedback the buyer would deem appropriate.

---

Nobody "settles" for damaged product unless its something very expensive, huge, or unique like a car, refrigerator, or antique. 

IMHO anyone requesting a partial on a item like a baseball cap is a scammer.