Seller sent the wrong colour of an item, only offering partial refund, refused return

[iriakitty]

Okay, this is pretty stupid but my money is tightly budgeted and I can't just waste money.

I purchased a black item from a seller and they sent me the correct item, in purple. They had colour options and I verrified that I chose the correct option for black and they admited that they accidently sent me purple and offered a $4 refund out of origional cost of $21 and said to keep the purple one. I asked if I could mail this purple one back and they could send me a black one. They said no and offered me $8. I have literaly no use for a purple one and I tried dyeing it. No luck. The item is still in perfect condition (dye did nothing).

How can I get my money back? I payed for through paypal. Seller is in China. Item is even on sale now for $18 so why cant they just eat the remaining $10 diference?

[digital*ghost]

The seller can't refuse a return if an item is not as described, as long as you open a case via eBay, but judging from the seller's replies so far it might be difficult getting them to pay for return post - which won't be cheap as it has to go back by a tracked method.

Unfortunately its fairly common for some sellers to offer these kinds of token or non-resolutions, based on the idea that things like colour or size choice (while offered ) is arbitrary and the item still has the same value or use to the buyer, when often the opposite is true. These kinds of sellers tend not to offer a proper resolution unless / until they get something out of it.

[kopenhagen5]

Just open the return case in eBay.

A good chance seller will refund and you won't need to send the item back.

Chinese sellers often send wrong items, don't resolve issues until forced.

[davewil1964]

if you've dyed it, you can't send it back in received condition anyway.

[stickerswa]

Hey Digi - I read she tried to dye it so I doubt they can now return it.

OP just accept the offer of a partial refund . You should not have treid to change the colour and just done an Item not as described claim! 

[brerrabbit585]

I'd try a 'not as described' case. If you haven't told the seller you've tried to dye it they may cough up a refund. If they don't you can always close the case. I look on it as you've got nothing to lose by trying. Otherwise all you can try to do is resell it to get your money back.

[digital*ghost]

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@stickerswa wrote:

Hey Digi - I read she tried to dye it so I doubt they can now return it.

OP just accept the offer of a partial refund . You should not have treid to change the colour and just done an Item not as described claim! 

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I read that as well, but kinda figured it was done when the seller wouldn't genuinely assist (that doesn't have any bearing on an eBay case, more how I chose to reply  ).  

Technically, you're right in that an attempt to modify the item means it can't be returned, but also technically the seller should have accepted a return (and paid for it). At this point (if I were the buyer) I might concede to a partial refund and try to onsell the item - not ideal, but if a full refund is not forthcoming, it may be the next best option. 

[melbourneclearance]

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@brerrabbit585 wrote:
I'd try a 'not as described' case. If you haven't told the seller you've tried to dye it they may cough up a refund. If they don't you can always close the case. I look on it as you've got nothing to lose by trying. Otherwise all you can try to do is resell it to get your money back.

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OP has something to lose, the $8 the seller is now offering.

[springyzone]

If you have been offered a partial refund of $8 by the seller, I would message the seller and say you'll accept it.

I know it is not ideal and you'd prefer all your money back but at least you won't have to send back the top. If you did send it back, I wouldn't be all that sure you'd be guaranteed of getting the return postage reimbursed. In the perfect ebay world you should, but I have read of others who have paid out to return international items and are struggling to get their money back.

So grab the money & run.

I'd advise that because you've tried to dye the top.

If the money isn't in your account within a day or so though, go straight to an official ebay item not as described case. 

Don't go telling anyone else you tried to dye that top, by the way.

[michellebartley]

Was it black from picture of item or written description?