Oh no! There are so many weirdos and scammers out there! I sometimes get people messaging to ask me to try on an item of clothing they're apparently interested in, but it's really just to get their kicks. Wackos! Isn't there enough porn on the internet already!? lol
ANYWAY, in terms of this annoying case...
The item WAS as described. I've had a few buyers try to get refunds by claiming "item not as described" (even when they were so blatantly invalid, such as saying a 127cm long maxi dress wasn't a maxi dress and was too short). Frustratingly, even if the ebay live chat rep does agree with you that the buyer's claim is not correct, ebay automatically accepts the dispute and makes you accept the return. It's frankly ridiculous.
My policy is that I don't accept returns, and yet by ebay implementing this automatic deeming of valid for every single INVALID "item not as described" dispute, it takes away my right to, and the point of, allowing no returns.
If I were you, I would message him directly and focus on the type of silk thing. Basically, if he assumed it was Charmeuse and you never said it was, that's his responsibility, not yours. Try to get him to engage with you about this, if you haven't already (in a respectful and professional way of course). I find with the majority of buyers like this, the more they say, the more mistakes they make in their words, giving your case more strength.
I don't think focussing on his intended or actual potential use of the item will sway ebay. None of that can be proven. What CAN be proven however, is that his purported reason for return is that the item was not as described (and he's given specifics in that regard in terms of the type of silk), and your listing clearly does not specify the item was that type of silk. And that's a fact. You can't dispute facts.
Hopefully if he talks to you in messages he'll put his foot in it somehow by admitting he didn't read the listing properly or he made an unfounded assumption about the silk. Basically, anything he says can potentially help you, as he CAN'T say the item was inaccurately described because it's simply not the reality, so he, in effect, CAN'T support his own claim.
So...if he does say something helpful to you, what I would then do is try another live chat ebay rep, provide this further information, and strongly argue against his claim's validity and acceptance.
Ebay will most likely still say they can't do anything, so what I would then do is wait. Wait until he returns it. It'll probably be in fine condition anyway, but either way, once you get it back, DO NOT accept the dispute as being closed, ok, done, etc.
Lodge your own dispute (or report the item as not returned in "original condition" in the continuing / existing dispute), saying that this item was returned based on an invalid claim and has now been received NOT in acceptable condition.
Was it in brand new condition when sold? If so, your case is stronger. Any use whatsoever alters it from brand new, which is unacceptable.
You don't get 50% of your money back when this occurs, you get all of it, including the postage cost if they make you pay for the buyer to return the item to you.
Be ready to have photos of the item once received to depict its unacceptable condition. Include them in your dispute.
IF ebay for some reason STILL won't refund you for their original taking of your funds to refund the buyer (erroneously), and they try to close the case not in your favour, then go back to a live chat ebay rep and state your case again.
This has worked for me every single time. I am persistent and refuse to tolerate buyers obtaining invalid refunds.
The only time it took more effort was when I had to send in an affidavit signed and witnessed by a JP to further confirm my case. I did that, and 3 days later, ebay refunded me. Thank you.
