eBay

tomatogirl4 · ‎09-25-2020

Hello - I have a buyer that purchased a New with Tags baby dress and wants to return it because she says it has dog hair on it. This is not an impossibility since I do own a dog, but it is unlikely because the dress was taken directly from the bag I purchased it in and placed directly into a mailer. The listing was for multiple items and none of the other dresses sold were reported as having dog hair; they were all stored together in the original purchase bag. My listing states that I do not accept returns. I told the buyer that I do not accept returns and that all new clothing should be washed prior to wearing , which would remove any hair that may have been on it. In my opinion, dog hair does not constitute damage. She has opened a return case. Am I obligated to accept the return, and if I do am I obligated to pay for return shipping?

rebell45 · ‎09-25-2020

Am I obligated to accept the return, and if I do am I obligated to pay for return shipping?

Yes and Yes, don't let eBay have to step in. Don't refund until you receive the item back.

____________________________________________________________
Never sell anything on eBay that you can't afford to lose.

m60driver · ‎09-25-2020

The bottom line is yes, once a buyer opens a case for a return you have no choice but to accept the return. What you state in your listing relative to returns is meaningless in the modern era of online sales where any buyer can return any item for absolutely any reason, valid or not.

1grandmashope_1 · ‎09-25-2020

P.S. Having no returns on your listing is bogus. You need to read all you can about the rules and regulations that govern returns here on Ebay, for both the buyer and the seller.

I hope that you work it out without it becoming a case.

Here is to your success in all your future sales!

Grandma

mtgraves7984 · ‎09-25-2020

^^^ Grandma's always right. No Returns doesn't mean no refunds. It only means you don't ever want to see it again.

fashunu4eeuh · ‎09-25-2020

"This is not an impossibility since I do own a dog, but it is unlikely because the dress was taken directly from the bag I purchased it in and placed directly into a mailer."

(Where else would the dog hair have come from?)

In a buyer's perspective, the important issue here was the complaint wasn't taken seriously. While dog hair is nothing to get in a twist over in the OP's estimation, in the buyer's mind it was bad enough to elicit a return request. And suggesting she wash it was not an optimum response. It sent a signal that her concern was not going to be addressed. What if it was going to be a gift?

Dog hair just doesn't inspire customer confidence. Therefore, unhappy buyer opens case, leaves unhappy feedback, and won't be a repeat customer.

slati_2013 · ‎09-25-2020

Unfortunately hair always finds a way onto everything. I always double check everything I sell for hairs and to be sure there is no hair on the taped box.

Hair on your hands, hair on your clothes, in the mailer. The hair very likely came from you. I suggest you accept the return. As to if you have to pay for shipping, it depends on the reason she gave for the return.

the_grot_shoppe · ‎09-25-2020

No, you do NOT have to accept the return. (BTW A little bit of dog hair is a ridiculous reason to want to return something.) I had one recently where the buyer altered the item and then wanted to return it. I closed the case stating that they altered it so no, I would not accept the return. The reason gets sent to ebay only, so I also sent an ebay message to the buyer as well with the same reason.

Did your auction state it was from a pet free home? If not, they have no reason to believe it would be. You can even state this when closing the request.

All clothing items should be washed by the buyer before wearing. I've gotten so many over the years that reeked of cigarettes (I'm allergic) perfume, and other smells. If the auction didn't say, smoke free, pet free, whatever free home, I didn't presume it would be.

If this was to be a gift, they can use tape to remove the few pieces of errant hair.