I need to return a item

[maddbennel_0]

Hi, I have received a item today that I need to return as it is not as described. I emailed the seller and they have told me to return the item before the 16th January for a refund, the problem is that the parcel took 11 days to get here today and if I post it tomorrow, I am worried that it will not make the deadline, as postage is slow from Western Australia.

Can someone please tell me if it does not reach NSW on that date will I lose my refund.

Also do I pay for postage to return as there was no mention in the email who pays, it came in a 5kg prepaid bag so not sure what the costs will be to return to the sender.

Many thanks in advance

[padi*0409]

If the item is not as described you have 30 days after the last ETA date to open a case with the eBay MBG (money back guarantee) if you win the case the seller will have to provide a return postage label for the item.

In most cases eBay sides with the buyer in these disputes.  

Edit. you should only send the parcel back to the address eBay will tell you to.

[maddbennel_0]

Thank you for your reply.

I think I jumped too early without giving the seller a chance to respond as like the post before me it went straight to request a refund and the seller has sent a message to be sent back before the 16th January and there was no mention of them offering to pay for postage.

[padi*0409]

A good seller should offer to pay for return postage for an "item not as described", only for a "change of mind" return should the buyer pay for return postage.

What was wrong with the item?

[maddbennel_0]

They were school shoes size 8.5 E which is wider than normal shoe, m yson cannot put his foot in them and comparing  to his last years same shoe the width of the new ones are not as wide.

[digital*ghost]

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@maddbennel_0 wrote:

They were school shoes size 8.5 E which is wider than normal shoe, m yson cannot put his foot in them and comparing  to his last years same shoe the width of the new ones are not as wide.

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That may not actually qualify as 'not as described'. By which I mean, manufacturers often change the sizing of their products - a fellow seller I know sells t-shirts and one of their suppliers recently dramatically changed the chest measurements of their range, so an old t-shirt of theirs sized XL has different measurements to new shirts that are sized XL.

However, when listing the shirts, the seller provides that tagged size, and measurements, so anyone buying an XL now will get a t-shirt that is exactly as described, even though it's not as big as it used to be.

In any case, 'Return by 16th January' typically means 'post back by 16th January', rather than ensure it arrives to the seller by that date (it's the same thing when a seller posts items - they have to post by their specified handling time, but even though there's an estimated delivery date, actual transit and delivery time is in the hands of the carrier they use, like Aus Post).

[padi*0409]

LOL, beat me to it Digi !!

I agree with digi on this one that they may not qualify as INAD,

I would add that you say you bought the same shoe and it fitted, wouldn't your son's feet have possibly grown since the last shoes you bought?

To be honest I wouldn't buy shoes online for the exact reasons Digi has posted, in that sizes can vary dramatically, even within the same brand makes.

[maddbennel_0]

Thank you, I thought of that, but my sister in law measured hers that she bought from Williams Shoes, smaller shoe size but E and the width is the same as my sons last years.

Should I just let it go and wear it and go and buy from the shop myself

Thanks again for your help

[digital*ghost]

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@maddbennel_0 wrote:

Thank you, I thought of that, but my sister in law measured hers that she bought from Williams Shoes, smaller shoe size but E and the width is the same as my sons last years.

Should I just let it go and wear it and go and buy from the shop myself

Thanks again for your help

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This one is a little difficult for me to call, as I'm not familiar with the shoes, their sizing, or the description in the listing the seller provided. 

I guess, what it would come down to is whether there's enough to show the shoes were accurately described, or not, especially if there were any kind of measurements in the seller's listing - eg what kind of differences - if any - are there between childrens sizes and teen / adult sizes, and could one or the other have been sent by mistake? (I'm an adult female, but I wear Roc school shoes (boots, actually) in a wide size, designed for high-schoolers. Mostly because they are comfortable, and last longer than any other shoe I've worn...but my point is they have a variety of age groups, with different sizing within those). 

If the seller is willing to communicate, that kind of thing may be easier to determine - i.e. whether or not the shoe size si consistent with other tagged that size, and for that age group. 

If the shoes are faulty (by which I mean mis-tagged, or made to a smaller size), then that would qualify as not as described to me, otherwise it would technically be considered a change of mind return.

At this stage I would try working with the seller to determine if the sizing was off, or they sent you the wrong age-group shoe or similar, and at the same time query the return postage costs. They may be able to exchange them for the correct size, if that is an acceptable option for you.

If they're not willing to work with you, I suspect then your options would be limited to returning the shoes at your expense, but getting a refund of the original payment. 

[maddbennel_0]

I bought the next size up, he cannot get his foot into the shoe, yet last years still fit but the front of shoe has worned so not looking the best for this year thats why I bought this pair.

I just thought because they were advertised on Ebay I would purchase them, but know now to go to the shops.

Thanks