Another ebay advice thread

[hollieplus2]

I sold a pair of jeans on eBay that were new with tags. I've had them for a couple months and they were stored in the bottom of my dresser. They were shipped and delivered on 8/21. Well today the buyer contacts me and says the jeans have an unbearable musky smell....it took you 14 days to figure this out? If I tell her to wash them and she still complains I'll get back jeans that aren't new with tags. I have a feeling she's having buyers remorse or wants to send me old jeans back. I know they didn't smell when I sent them and we are a smoke free home. I sold another pair the same day that were stored the same and no complaints. What should I do? She hasn't asked for anything yet just hey...these smell.

 

[jcarter29]

why in the world wouldn't she just wash them? they are JEANS!
maybe i'm just crazy...

Kim

 

[dreamin_disney]

Not familar with selling on ebay and the policies. Are the jeans a dark denim? I've gone shopping for jeans at kohls. Some of the darker jeans that are dyed dark blue will sometimes have a dye smell. Some people its no big deal but someon like me with allergies certaine chemical smells are super strong and make me sick. Could the jeans be dyed and thats why the buyer says the jeans smell? In the past i bought a pair and it took several washes but i'd feel sick wearing them. (i'm sensitive) . I have a pair on now that had a faint smell but i could handle the smell , it took two washes to rid the smell

 

[kymom99]

Clothes stored in a drawer for a length of time will have a musty smell, but nothing a little Downey won't fix. Don't most people wash out their clothes at the beginning of the season because they smell a little stale?

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

I used to sell on ebay but not anymore. Too much of a hassle and not much of a money maker. But whenever I had a difficult buyer, I offered a refund minus shipping costs as well as informed the buyer that they had to return the item at their expense. That usually persuaded them to drop the issue.

Next time try to sell on craigslist or a local group on facebook.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

What did your ad say; do you accept returns or not? If you don't, you can ignore her email or answer her and suggest she wash them. It is a ridiculous complaint.

 

[hollieplus2]

Yes they are a dark denim, I didn't notice a smell but I'm obviously immune to my house smell so who knows. My ad said no returns and it took her 14 days to contact me. Can she file a complaint and win her money back? Then I'll get washed jeans back that I can't sell as new with tags? I sold another identical pair in a different size and they posted favorable feedback so that pair couldn't have smelled so awful. I just don't want to tell her to wash them and then she files a complaint and wins and I'm out money plus the new item. I would totally refund her if she contacted me a couple days after she received them but 2 weeks later??? Sounds fishy.

 

[pfalcioni]

By current Ebay rules, you are required to accept returns if an item is SNAD (Significantly Not As Described). If the buyer files a claim, this is what they will claim.

If it were me, I would tell the buyer you are sorry they are unhappy with the jeans and that you will pay return shipping and give them a full refund when they arrive back in the same condition as they were shipped (with tags).

You can then re-sell them NWT after doing a good sniff test to be sure they smell okay.

This will get you out of the situation losing the least amount of money and guaranteeing you won't get negative feedback. If you wait until they file a SNAD you will end up losing more money and could end up with negative feedback.

 

[becky1960]

If she does not return them with tracking and in the same condition ( with tags) they will not win a dispute, Ebay will give you a chance to reply in the dispute, they must return to file a claim, it takes some time but you should win. I have had this from time to time and has always won, or they just didn't return. You can also have bad feedback removed in these cases..

 

[robinb]

If you do get them back from her, I would suggest that you toss them in the dryer on delicate with a dryer sheet. The tags won't come off and your jeans will smell fresh and minty.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Tell her to wash them that when you shipped the smelled just fine, I would not take them back..BUT paypal may side with her not to sure that is why I dont sell on ebay anymore they want to much money and dont back up sellers..

 

[lucyem]

Generally if the buyer escalates a complaint eBay favors the buyer and will require the buyer to pay return shipping. Once it gets back to you, according to the tracking numbers, eBay (your account) will refund original price plus shipping to buyer. Buyer is stuck paying return shipping to you no matter how not as described an item is. Not that your item was not as described, but thats how they handle it.

So as a seller I would recommend that if the buyer opens a case and you are discussing this - offer what eBay would offer and stick with that. Make sure you are clear on the "with tags" part. Make sure buyer uses insurance and tracking numbers.

 

[nunzia]

By current Ebay rules, you are required to accept returns if an item is SNAD (Significantly Not As Described). If the buyer files a claim, this is what they will claim.

If it were me, I would tell the buyer you are sorry they are unhappy with the jeans and that you will pay return shipping and give them a full refund when they arrive back in the same condition as they were shipped (with tags).

You can then re-sell them NWT after doing a good sniff test to be sure they smell okay.

This will get you out of the situation losing the least amount of money and guaranteeing you won't get negative feedback. If you wait until they file a SNAD you will end up losing more money and could end up with negative feedback.

I agree, but would not pay return shipping. Sellers only need to pay for original shipping. It is not worth the hassle of arguing with people..just apologize and tell buyer that you are sorry they aren't satisfied and as soon as jeans are returned in original condition you will issue a full refund of price and original shipping. I have bent over backwards to satisfy buyers and still gotten a negative which Ebay, no matter what they say, will never remove. I can count on a negative at least once a year, even from people who never contacted me about an issue, which I didn't think they were allowed to do. Anyway, good luck and be sure and block that bidder from your future auctions.

 

[hollieplus2]

Thanks for the advice. I told her if she wasn't happy she can return the item in the same condition she received them with the tags still attached. She would need to pay return shipping with tracking and insurance and I would refund her. Honestly after she pays shipping it's not much of a return.