Major problems with buying clothes on ebay - FIX IT EBAY

[ginger_ice_cream]

I have purchased two not as described (damaged) items of clothing on ebay in the past month. The first time I was lucky and when I complained to the seller they refunded my total purchase amount. Have contacted the latest one and it seems they are pretty slack with communication so don't know how long I will wait for a reply and I will just have to hope that they will be willing to at least partially refund.

The MAJOR prolem you have put in place for the buyer ebay is that when we want to complain via you that the item was not as described your answer is - send the item back for a refund. So, in other words, the buyer is not in any way at fault - I havent just changed my mind, or the item doesnt fit, but I should end up out of pocket to get my money back!!?

If I send the item back for a refund I have to spend either around $8 to send back unregistered, and probably an average of around $10 or $11 so that my butt is covered and I have proof I sent it back to the seller. I get a refund, but what about the money it cost me to send back??!! I end up spending around $10 on an item that wasnt as described - i.e. had undisclosed stains or holes, and have nothing to show for it. Yes, I get back the ebay transaction amount for the privilege of having a damaged piece of clothing sent to me that I beleived was in good condition, but I have to spend money to get my money back!! If it's my fault I will cop that, but when it's the sellers fault it is unreasonable to expect the buyer to be out of pocket to pay return postage with nothing to show for it.

Several years back I had to send back satin pj's that had damage even though the item was described as being in "excellent condition". Paypal ended up refunding my money as the seller got quite nasty with me, but it cost me $10 to send the item back. I therefore ended up with no pj's, and $10 worse off - due to the sellers dishonesty. Thanks ebay.

There has to be a more up to date and better system in place for items not as described that don't financially penalise the buyer. Wake up ebay. Buying damaged clothes is not much fun. Your response, spend more money on this item to return it is not reasonable or fair.

[cherry*135]

One positive with the new eBay Guarantee is, hopefully, it will weed out sellers that send clothing items damaged or dirty. Especially ones that claim the garment is as new or in excellent condition.

They will get defects in their seller performance ratings for havingdisputes opened against them for item not as described (and other reasons). Depending on how many defects they can get their selling activities  restricted or they could be unable to sell at all (on any ID).

[fixnwear]

One positive with the new eBay Guarantee is, hopefully, it will weed out sellers that send clothing items damaged or dirty. Especially ones that claim the garment is as new or in excellent condition.

They will get defects in their seller performance ratings for havingdisputes opened against them for item not as described (and other reasons). Depending on how many defects they can get their selling activities  restricted or they could be unable to sell at all (on any ID)

am*3,

the new system will almost certainly weed out sellers - but not for the reason you seem to think.

And who's going to weed out bad  buyers, as there are certainly heaps more of those - than bad seller.

This is just from reading the boards, seeing the nature of the complaints, from "overpriced postage" to items not as described, and amazingly most of them stem from the people who buy cheapest things they can possibly lay their hands on.

"Oh, they charged me 5 bucks more for postage", in many cases buyers whinge about even a lesser amount that they overpaid

"OMG, it had a split seam, or a mark somewhere, or button missing" - and some similar dumb complaint  on an item that was so cheap to start with.

People like that seem to find every little thing unacceptable, want everything perfect with preferably no postage cost at all - and most definitely no return postage cost (let the seller pay for that also) if they feel like sending it back as it didn't meet their ridiculous expectations!

I honestly have to take my hat of to just about any seller around here - they deserve a medal for patience and perseverance in the face of less than honest and pleasant conditions that they have to work in!

Not to mention having to put up with those who outright lie  about anything and everything just to get their way - at the expense of someone else.

Even without the liars, second hand market (for any goods) is a right quagmire - opinions are subjective, line up say 100 people and get them to look at the same item - and almost certainly every one of them will have a slightly different opinion!

With new items is easy - of course. They either are or they aren't.

Mind you, many a time I have bought dress in the store with some insignificant thread hanging, pull on it without thinking when you get home - and the whole hem is gone! It's as easy as that - even with brand new items.

[winstonandmanda]

"OMG, it had a split seam, or a mark somewhere, or button missing" - and some similar dumb complaint '

So you think it's ok to sell clothing that has a split seam, a mark somewhere or a button missing??! Your standards in clothes are obviously a lot lower than mine. I don't want to buy clothes that are stained or damaged, I don't care how cheap. And furthermore, if the item has a button missing, a mark somewhere or a split seam the seller needs to inform all potential buyers of this so that they can make their own decision whether they want to buy / wear damaged or stained clothes. I don't.

If you want to hawk your old stained and damaged clothes, at least admit it on the listing. Not sell it then expect the buyer to be happy as it was cheap. I once bought a shirt that was described as being in "good used condition". The pics seemed to show that. When it arrived it had stains on it that wouldnt come out and ripped button holes. When I complained to the seller she said well for a few bucks you just need a needle and thread to fix it. I dont want to buy **bleep** that I have to fix and isnt wearable. She said that I bought a "used shirt and expected new" (and implied that was the only reason I was complaining - just like your comments. I did not expect new. I expected the shirt to be in "good used condition" as per the listing, and what any decent honest seller would sell.

And the cost of the item is beside the point. If you cant sell decent things on ebay at least admit it in the listing.

As for ebay doesnt read these boards...I would think they would. It's their main source of customer feedback! I got the impression many years ago that they read them 😉

[ajarnjenny]

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@winstonandmanda wrote:

"OMG, it had a split seam, or a mark somewhere, or button missing" - and some similar dumb complaint '

So you think it's ok to sell clothing that has a split seam, a mark somewhere or a button missing??! Your standards in clothes are obviously a lot lower than mine. I don't want to buy clothes that are stained or damaged, I don't care how cheap. And furthermore, if the item has a button missing, a mark somewhere or a split seam the seller needs to inform all potential buyers of this so that they can make their own decision whether they want to buy / wear damaged or stained clothes. I don't.

If you want to hawk your old stained and damaged clothes, at least admit it on the listing. Not sell it then expect the buyer to be happy as it was cheap. I once bought a shirt that was described as being in "good used condition". The pics seemed to show that. When it arrived it had stains on it that wouldnt come out and ripped button holes. When I complained to the seller she said well for a few bucks you just need a needle and thread to fix it. I dont want to buy **bleep** that I have to fix and isnt wearable. She said that I bought a "used shirt and expected new" (and implied that was the only reason I was complaining - just like your comments. I did not expect new. I expected the shirt to be in "good used condition" as per the listing, and what any decent honest seller would sell.

And the cost of the item is beside the point. If you cant sell decent things on ebay at least admit it in the listing.

As for ebay doesnt read these boards...I would think they would. It's their main source of customer feedback! I got the impression many years ago that they read them 😉

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I am pretty sure that Ebay do not read the posts. The forum is subcontracted out to Lithium.

[fixnwear]

So you think it's ok to sell clothing that has a split seam, a mark somewhere or a button missing??! Your standards in clothes are obviously a lot lower than mine.

winstonandmanda,

Yes, I most certainly do think it's quite OK to expect some imperfections on something that one pays next to nothing for.

A trade of, if you like, for not coughing up for new item.

And my standards are different anyway - don't buy anything like that on Ebay nor anywhere else, for that matter.

And you can have the highest standards you like - nothing wrong with that at all - but it's going to be of little help to you, or your seller - if you buy cheap stuff and expect the same quality and standard as the item that you pay 10fold.

You were also grossly exagerating when quoting your case with a torn shirt - in relation to what I said.

What I did say is that people complain for next to nothing, things that ARE easily fixable.

Are you trying to say that of you bought an item for less than say, 50 bucks, and it comes with a split seam or a hem down - you would return it because you don't want to stitch it up?

Well, your hands wouldn't exactly fall off, 5 or 10 min. of your time would be more than a fair exchange for a low price.

What I also said, with second hand items being second hand and not new - anyone can find a fault somewhere if one looks hard enough - it's the nature of the item  being used previously by someone else.

But, thankfully, Ebay is the only place on the planet where this is not only allowed but seemingly encouraged to go on - as it just doesn't happen on any proper selling sites. 

So where does it stop, the whienging, -  and tolerance begins - in view that no second hand item is PERFECT. If it was, it would be new.

Simple as that.

[winstonandmanda]

What I am saying is that if you want to sell an item that has a split seam, or a button missing or a mark on it - ADMIT it in the listing. State for instance, "please note this shirt has a mark - see close up picture" or "please note that this shirt does have a button missing, you would have to purchase new buttons and have sewn on, dont bid if you dont want a shirt with a missing button to arrive"

Understand? I dont buy stained clothes or clothes that have a split seam. I dont buy 'used' clothes and expect new. Every item of clothing in my wardrobe that I've worn and washed is "used" but it's in excellent condition. It's not stained and with split seams. If it was and I was to list it for sale on ebay I would alert the buyer to all of the problems.

I agree that if there is a tiny tenny little problem it's no big deal. But you are talking about missing buttons and stains and split seams and saying that you dont consider that to be a problem! Do you admit to your potential buyers the condition of the clothes you are selling?

I am talking about clothes being listed as being in at least good condition, then they arrive and there is broken elastic, or a stain etc. That's not honest is it? And saying that the buyer didnt pay retail so that means the scam is reasonable is the reason a lot of people won't buy on ebay. And as "for next to nothing" I dont see many ebay auctions with free or only around $1 postage. Most are a minimum of around $8-$9 postage. Add the price of the item on and it becomes perfectly reasonable to expect to get what you expect, a damage free item.

As for "anyone can find faults if they look hard enough", well no. All of my 'used' clothes are in fine order. No missing buttons, no stains and no split seams. Throw your damaged rags out, dont try to pass them off to people who have paid for them then say you didnt pay the retail price so be happy! I gather from your username that you are selling stuff that needs to be fixed. If you're admitting to that in the listing and pointing out what is wrong that's fine. The buyer can then choose if they are happy with the stated condition of the item and if they are prepared to fix. If the damage was very minor and petty I might be prepared to buy it, but for me, I dont buy damaged clothes, I dont care if it's free postage and a 99cent listing. I expect to receive used clothes in the condition of my 'used' clothes. It depends on your personal standards and preferences but again, the seller needs to be honest dont they? That is the issue here, not whether or not someone should be prepared to be happy with stains and split seams.

[fixnwear]

winston,

I don't sell anything

the id name is for something that I used to collect, very hard to find, and if you do, something always needed to be fixed (not by me, mind you, I wouldn't know  which end of the sewing needle is a business end - so to speak) - but by qualified theatrical seamsteresses.

But if I did sell anything to anyonone, on Ebay or elsewhere, especially second hand - I wouldn't have the patience nor inclination to go over the item for half hour looking for every little stupid detail that I often see people complain about.

As far as I'm concerned, if you can't see it straight away - it's non consequential - and wouldn't interest me much at all what any potential buyer comes up with  - any other minor evidence of being used previously.

It's not that I wouldn't be symphathetic to anyone if there was some amazingly glaring fault that I may have missed and give them the world to make it up to them!) - it's all the other tiny carp that they would waffle on about - that would be trying my patience big time!

That is why I said in my previous post that all sellers here deserve a medal for their patience and tollerance for all the bother they cop from buyers for very minor things.

Also, any amount of $50 and under (and that is very conservative) IS NOTHING, or as good as. It doesn't go far these days.

Stains, holes, busted zips - that sort of thing you'd see in one as they say - and then the garment wouldn't be listed AT ALL.

[ginger_ice_cream]

Wow Fixnbuy, you must have a lot of disposable throw away money. $50 for a damaged item of clothing is nothing to you? Even spending $50 on one shirt is nothing to you?

Whatever money I spend on ebay I expect honesty - to get something that is as described. And it's funny you say that most things could be seen at a glance - wrong. I bought a long white dress - that was the first not as described item I mentioned. It had no faults listed in the description. Upon "first glance" when I got it it seemed fine. Then I noticed multiple stains on the botton and a small hole. Not tiny, around half the size of a five cent piece. At first "glance" I didnt see them. I used stain remover spray, I washed using Napisan, I even tried soaking the bottom half of the dress in diluted bleach, hanging the washed dress in the really hot sun all day - the marks are still there. As for the hole, the kind of fabric and also it being white means that if I try to patch the hole it would be really obvious I've patched a hole.

So, the dress is only fit for wearing around the house, or donating to charity maybe for someone else to wear around the house.

The $25 total or so that I spent is wasted if the seller won't refund. You seem rich, you can throw away $25 buying damaged junk on ebay, I can't. To say that the dress may have retailed for $70 doesnt make it ok. It's money wasted. And it's a seller being dishonest at worst, and careless and irresponsible at best.

If you can't take the time to check that your item is fit for someone to hand over their hard earned money for, don't bother listing. I noticed these defects within around 5 minutes of taking a look at the dress. Complaining about them isnt whinging. It's stating that the seller did not disclose the faults and I would not have bought the dress for even $5 had I known.

Also, I'm no seamstress and I don't own a sewing machine. I have no interest in trying to repair split seams. Nor should I have to, as I wouldnt buy anything on ebay that was in that state.

I also find it crazy that you keep saying that seller's have to be patient. How about buyers who have to ask for details about the item that ebay should make compulsory. How about the disappointment of realising you've been had and dealt with another dishonest jerk who sells junk and hopes no one takes the time to notice.

[ginger_ice_cream]

Just went to take ebay up on this 'guarantee' and couldnt see anywhere that the seller has to pay return postage on sending the item back. It states:

You can now shop on eBay knowing that if your item doesn’t arrive, or is different to what was described, you’ll be covered for the purchase price and original postage on eligible items.

So it would seem that I am right in saying that in order to get my money back on an item not as described / damaged etc, I have to end up out of pocket spending money on an item that the seller sold dishonestly and I've done nothing wrong - AGAIN

Absolutely furious about this and FED UP EBAY!

This is  why a lot of people look down on buying things on ebay and avoid it. Why the hell should I pay around $10 on returning an item that is damaged and then end up with nothing for it??!!!

Shop on ebay - get ripped off and then end up -$ for the trouble. What a bloody joke.

[ginger_ice_cream]

And furthermore, when I click on the link about this guarantee all it does it redirect me to my ebay home page. That's it.

You fixed the damn retalitory negative feedback issue ebay, now fix this. It stinks

And I've had it with sellers that say "if I've made a mistake, that's fine, send it back and I will refund your original total purchase cost - so that's great, you make a mistake and I PAY more money to get it back to you for a refund. So I end up out of pocket. And ebay thinks that is perfectly reasonable.