reposting my question about a return in hopes of more responses ~

[mirmyst_8]

hi - I'm really new here, and have been doing ok (100% positive feedback on 5 out of 6 sales!), and this is my first return request, so I'm a bit sad and angry and confused. first of all, the item I sold was clearly listed as "New with defects" in several places, and in the description, I wrote that it "came out of storage with some stains, so I washed it". it is a Brand New, Never Used, king-sized allergy barrier down comforter that retails for $200 or more, and I sold it for $30! not only that, I messed up on the shipping, and the buyer only paid $9.80 when the actual cost was $24.30! so the buyer is claiming that it's a 'worn-out, smelly old stained blanket', and wants to return it. my listing also clearly states that I do not accept returns...I mean, did they think they were buying this item in pristine condition for that price? I think they misread the description, or simply didn't read it at all. how is that my fault? I sent them what I think is a very nice note telling them all the above, and also let them know that this blanket is meant to be used with a comforter cover, in which case, the stains won't show at all. so my concern is obviously that my seller rating will be affected, and also that I may have to pay to have the item shipped back! the customer hasn't responded to my note, so I guess we're going to have to let eBay step in to help? are they going to force me to take the return even though I feel the mistake was the buyers? I appreciate any and all feedback in advance, thanks!

[bluelinemetalsllc]

The reply you received in your other post was correct; accept the return and pay the return postage or refund in full and let the buyer keep the item. If you don't do either of the above, ebay will FORCE you to and let the buyer keep it anyway, and give you a defect to boot. Not what you wanted to hear I know, but it is indeed the way ebay works. 

[coket_41]

The minute you washed it, it was no longer "brand new" or even new with defects, it was used. As nasty and wrinkled as it looks in the pics, I'm surprised you found a buyer

[mtgraves7984]

Regarding your repost... you will get more responses, but not different responses.

We were all new sellers once and understand your confusion, anger and sadness, but the rules are simply the rules. If you do not want a ding to your seller account, you must take responsibility for your own missteps before asking eBay to come in and clean up behind you.

I can't imagine how nice a note would be to persuade the buyer to keep soiled linens (the buyer's opinion), but I can imagine that a $39.80 refund would satisfy them.

It's simple... if you want it back, pay for and send them a return shipping label. If you don't... issue the credit. No dings.

[orangehound]

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@mirmyst_8 wrote:

 first of all, the item I sold was clearly listed as "New with defects" in several places, and in the description, I wrote that it "came out of storage with some stains, so I washed it". it is a Brand New, Never Used, king-sized allergy barrier down comforter that retails for $200 or more, and I sold it for $30! not only that, I messed up on the shipping, and the buyer only paid $9.80 when the actual cost was $24.30! so the buyer is claiming that it's a 'worn-out, smelly old stained blanket', and wants to return it. my listing also clearly states that I do not accept returns...

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Just repeating what others have written so that it will sink in:

1. When you wash an item, it is no longer new ... it is used.  You misrepresented the condition of the item.  On eBay, the "Condition" and "Condition Description" are the defining criteria for condition ... not the item description.
2. You placed the words "came out of storage with some stains, so I washed it"  in the item description area rather than the condition description.  The "Item description" area is frequently not even displayed by eBay to mobile users (more than half of customers use mobile) ... it is considered secondary information.  When creating a listing, condition information should be placed in the "Condition description" box just under the condition.
3. If you want the item back, you will pay another $25 for the return ... if not, the customer can keep it.  In both cases, you are required to refund the customer's purchase price and any shipping/handling they paid for it.  Should you decide to fight this by "escalating" with eBay, you will lose - eBay will force the refund and then punish you with a loss of fees and a seller defect.

[orangehound]

Spoiler

By the way, new sellers make errors like this all the time.  Don't feel bad ... eBay has a learning curve.  If you don't have a coach helping you to navigate the complexities of eBay selling, then you will step into situations like this from time to time.  It is a learning experience.  Treat it like one.

[mirmyst_8]

ok, thank you!

[mirmyst_8]

thank you for responding ~

[mirmyst_8]

ok - that's good information, thank you for sharing. I will be more careful in the future, and I appreciate your pointing it out.

[shopfordealstoday]

We were all new sellers once and eBay's policy protects buyers from things like this. Just because you think an item is old (and once had value to you) and is deemed worth selling -- doesn't mean the buyer will have the same appreciate for it as you. The item you sent was second-hand and no offense - has stains (from who knows where) on top of it. *Most* buyers would not gladly accept such items and at that price. Like others mentioned, I'm shocked that someone would even consider buying it in the first place. I would advise that you don't sell really old stuff like this otherwise expect more returns in the future. Think of how you'd feel if you were the buyer and treat this like a learning experience.  You lost more because of the shipping and tbh, the way you describe your comforter doesn't sound all that appeasing, so I would take this lost and refund her in full without taking the item back (but up to you since this comforter -was- $200). Learn to understand and appreciate eBay's policy even when it's not in your favor because this happens to people all the time. There's also a lot of horror stories and you barely scratched the surface. Know what's worth selling and what's not worth selling to protect yourself in the future as the seller.