Am I being unreasonable? Ebay ? UPDATE #27

[lovetoscrap]

I rarely buy anything on ebay. But I need a new backpack purse-- that type is best for me.

I found one I liked on Ebay

Cute Black & Brown Suede Backpack Purse Handbag CLEAN


This auction is for a very nice & clean black nylon & brown suede bakcpack style purse. This handbag has at least a helf dozen zippered compartments, organizer pouches, key fobs, mirror, credit card & ID slots, etc. All in one functions 9 x 10 in bag. I did not find any major defects such as holes, tears, or stains. Please check out my other auctions for more great clothing bargains.

It included a nice photo of the front of the bag and it looks like it would fit my needs so I bid and win. Bag arrives today and I open to find the front of the bag exactly as described, turn it over and. . .

NO STRAPS!

Am I unreasonable for expecting a backpack/purse will have straps? It has the metal rings that the straps should be clipped to but I search all through the bag and no straps. There is a small carry handle at the top, like most backpacks have and that is it. So I email and get this response:

I'm sorry you're not happy with your purchase. If you will please read my auction terms, it clearly states to ask any questions that are important to you prior to the auction ending, and I will be more than happy to answer you. I did not intentially leave out any information about the bag and it was unfortunate that you presumed something not clearly stated.

WHAT?? I was apparently not supposed to presume that a purse would have a strap??? Especially one listed as a backpack purse? And as a seller you didn't think it was important to mention that although it looks like a backpack, I am selling it as a backpack, it really isn't a backpack. And the fact that the rings are there for the straps didn't clue you in that maybe this backpack had a slight defect?

Am I being unreasonable?

 

[TheZue]

No you aren't being unreasonable at all. They include two things that suggest there would be straps, backpack & purse. Then they say there are no major defects, missing the straps is a pretty big freaking defect.

 

[Jey12]

I agree that's a pretty big deal. Kind of like selling a car without tires. Just showing the clean inside and a top view of it in pictures. Wouldn't fly with me. Ebay has a buyer protection plan I would try to contact the seller one more time and try to work out compensation or a return if not file a complaint with ebay and leave a low rating with the seller. To me that is intentional misleading information. If it was listed as just a bag or even a purse I could buy just having the carrying strap. Since she listed it as a backpack it should be able to be used as a backpack straight out of the package.

 

[mickeysgal]

That's just crazy. Open a claim against the seller. That's a major defect and the seller said there were no major defects. Ebay is pretty protective of their buyers - moreso than their sellers. I think they'll back you. If you paid via Paypal, I'd check on their claim policies as well. Good Luck.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

That stinks. Of course a backpack should have straps.

 

[kirstenb1]

Grr!!!! YOu have a perfectly legitimate gripe!! I've bought 2 backpack-style purses on Ebay. Like you, I searched under backpack/handbags to find exactly what I wanted. Do a claim and return. It'd be like receiving a tote bag without handles.

 

[MushyMushy]

I'm sorry, that just strikes me as really funny!

I hope you can fight this and win. There really shouldn't have to be a fight, but I don't think you'll have any problems with this one.

 

[MissyDVC]

Not unreasonable at all to expect straps on a backpack

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Oh my gosh, I am so sorry to laugh but DH and I are sitting here cracking up and how insanely stupid this is. What is wrong with this person? How is it supposed to be a backpack, you walk on all 4s and balance it on your back?

For sure file a complaint. Hopefully you paid with Paypal. Good luck and while I am sorry for the headache, thanks so mcuh for shaing a good laugh.

 

[lovetoscrap]

This is just so ridiculous that I am about it too.

DH and I have an ebay rule that you never spend more than you are willing to just walk away from. The price was pretty cheap but at this point it is the principle. If she had responded in a conciliatory manner and offered to make it right, or even just apologized I probably would have just just left negative feedback and walked away.

But that asinine response deserves to have a case opened-- which I just did. Sure I could have emailed back but it is obvious it would be a waste of time. She is very clear on her "AS IS" and "NO REFUNDS (unless there is a major defect)" policy.

I wanted to be sure that I wasn't out of line to expect to be able to use my new backpack purse ON MY BACK!

 

[diznygirl]

It was a backpack purse, now it is just a sack. And a sad sack at that! LOL!

Let us know how it goes. That seller should be ashamed, but I've been around long enough to know they aren't.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Will I still be able to leave feedback for her once we are in the Ebay Case phase? So if it ends up they refund (or she does) will I still be able to leave the negative feedback ?

 

[ilovepcot]

That person knew exactly what they were doing. It's that very type seller that causes people to be reluctant to bid on things they'd really like and can't find locally. A shame! Hope your outcome is positive!

 

[Carlyzmom]

Wow the nerve of some people! That is just crazy! She definitely should have offered you your money back. The customer is always right - even on eBay!

 

[Hannathy]

Where there straps in the picture? If the picture of the item is different than you received then you have an issue BUT if it didn't have straps in the picture then you can't assume it will have them. So it should have been pretty clear in the picture if it had straps.

 

[lovetoscrap]

She has responded to the case:

"I described the item as a backpack purse and provided a picture. The buyer asked NO questions prior to the auction close. She sends me an email saying she ASSUMED, it came with straps, when I did not indicate such in the description. It was her mistake for not taking my auction term advice by emailing me with a question regarding a feature of the bag that was apparently important to her. The item does match the description - it is NOT a regular backpack that you wear over your back, it is a small handbag that is supposed to look like a mini backpack and thus has a small carry handle. She is upset with herself that she didn't ask any questions and presumed something was there that I never said was. If she had asked, I most certainly would have informed her.."

No, I never said in my email that I assumed actually. I told her that when purchasing a backpack purse "it is expected that it will have straps". It is very obvious it is supposed to have them so her claim that it is only "supposed to look like a backpack" is bull. DD actually says it looks like a lunchbag.

Her photo was only of the front and it was not possible to see the back-so there was actually no information either way on that. The photo doesn't really show that it has a bottom to it either, but I had to ASSUME that it did! As far as I am concerned it was up to the seller to either show a photo of the back without the straps, or to mention in the description that it could not be worn as a backpack/had no straps. Since it was listed as a BACKPACK I expected it to have straps. In a Google search for "backpack purse" all those being sold as such have straps and can be worn on the back.


And by the way, I am not upset with myself-- I am upset with her! (but not much, no way I am going to get worked up about something like this)

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

DH is on a work call, can't wait to read him the response. It just gets better. I am glad you aren't letting this bother you, hopefully it will continue to give you a good laugh. I still think using the word backpack means that it will have backpack straps. My DD8 had a mini key chain backpack and even it had straps.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

don't ya know the straps are sold at an additional cost??

Wow she sure is a piece of work. I really hope Ebay finds on your behalf or they are just as clueless as she is.
I bet she needed the straps for another bag and figured she'd make a few bucks selling the body of the bag. But yeah, it's pretty darn important to mention the backpack purse doesn't have straps. Not exactly a minor detail!

 

[mickeysgal]

It's sellers like this that have given Ebay a rotten reputation.

 

[robinb]

In her favor, she's fast to respond .

What a pile of you-know-what! It sounds like she intentionally snapped the photo so you couldn't see that there were no straps. Enjoy making her squirm .