Where to go from here?

[*kats*]

Me again:( I will try to make as short as I can (I tend to blabber on!)

Following my topic the other week:
http://community.ebay.com.au/topic/Buying/Not/600158540

Okay, so seller did not reply to my message about a partial refund to cover costs of cleaning and alteration so I opened a NADD. Seller replied to the message the day after I opened it saying there was no need to send photos as she didn't really look over the dress before sending and to get it dry cleaned and she will refund the cost.

I got it dry cleaned and picked it up yesterday - most of the marks came out bar a few (so I am guessing the dress wasn't cleaned since wearing...) and told her I was about to drop it at the alteration shop to fix up the loose bead and belt loop string

I sent a request for the cost of the dry cleaning and alteration through PayPal resolution centre and she replied tonight saying she will not pay for the alterations and that she never agreed to (true, so I admit fault here but she also never mentioned she would not when I messaged about what I wanted to do to rectify the situation) and that I am being ridiculous over a $400.00 dress that I paid $50.00 for and to send it back to her.

I calmly messaged back then that I was sorry she feels I am being ridiculous but that was the price she listed the dress at and none of the problems were mentioned in the description and just trying to get it in the condition I expected by having it cleaned and the broken bits fixed up.

Now I have one pissed off seller who won't refund the money spent fixing up the dress and wants me to send it back (in better condition than it was sent to me in). I do really want to keep this dress as I love it - I am awaiting her reply before I proceed with what you guys suggest but doubt I will get a reply from her - do I escalate to a claim and see if I will get money back for this without sending the dress back (I believe I will be out of pocket that way anyway) or just suck it up that I've had to pay double for the dress to get it fixed up?

Thanks in advance and sorry for the essay!! 🙂

[shypansy]

I think you know the answer already,  you may have to suck it up this time,  what may have been a better option would be to return it for a refund,  if the return post was cost effective,  or may be just accept the drycleaning costs.  and an exact cost agreed to before proceeding.

You can`t force her to pay anything,  paypal will only instruct you to return it, and all you will get back is your initial payment. 

If you truly love the dress, then move on.   there are so many bargains out there now, you will no doubt find some more great ones and eventually level the field.  its not always about what you pay but what you save,  taking into consideration the cleaning and repair bill, I imagine you still got a $400 dress for a lot less.  🙂

[*kats*]

Thanks:)

She just replied - apparently I am wronbeing it was not not as described as it is listed is preowned so none of the faults are relevant and she was being reasonable to lose out more money by agreeing to pay for the dry cIeaning costs.

Sigh:( definitely not how I wanted things to pan out and I am feeling like a total b$@!2 even though it is not how I was trying to come across at all - people tell me I am TOO nice but communication over the computer is easy to take the wrong way! 

[phorum_junkie*]

To win a not as described dispute you have to return the item in the same condition you received it in, you chose to have it dry cleaned without getting any money back first so now you haven't a leg to stand on I am afraid.

They may still agree, through the dispute, to refund if you return it but then you will be out the cost of cleaning plus the cost of return tracked and signed for postage.

[*kats*]

Poo, thanks anyway 🙂

I am feeling much more calm after having a little vent and midnight cuddles with my ponies, honestly I hate this sour situation that wasn't intended and hoping to clear the slate with the seller and hopefully end on good terms as it is miscommunication and error on both sides, and suck it up - I got a bargain anyway, just frustrating to have it pan out this way! Especially frustrates me being a casual seller as I always make sure everything is carefully looked over to avoid this happening!

[the-kazbar]

I don't think you should feel bad at all.

Yes, you should have worked out your options before getting it cleaned but its hardly a major crime so you should rest easy. 🙂

If the dress was truely not as described, and you wish to keep it, I would draft 1 final message , calmly explaining how much you are requesting from her to cover the drycleaning and that you expect the seller to honour their word that they would reimburse you for it.

If you want to, you can apologise for the misunderstanding over the alterations and that you will cover that part.

If she won't cover the drycleaning amount, as she promised, then your only real option is feedback. Do not threaten her with it, just do it. 

It won't get you your money back but it may make her think twice next time.

[boggo58]

No way i would suck up, i would literally forget the whole thing and take her through the cleaners myself backwards.

[*kats*]

I feel pretty copped out that I tried to do the right thing by her and been told I am taking rein of her genorosity of paying for the dry cleaning and being rude and unreasonable for getting alterations done and now I am in the situation of sucking it up.

I calmy and nicely tried to clean the slate last night and agree to suck it up and had a reply this morning but she believes I have her money as the PayPal payment must be on hold so she believes I have made profit and hassling her over it!

Argh, I want to tear my hair out as I have apologised many times for my error (but I honestly do not believe I was being rude in asking for the dress to be cleaned and the broken areas fixed up!). She has not accepted or declined my request for the refund so I can't send another of just the dry cleaning cost.

Hoping my last message she will understand exactly what I am trying to say and go from there but I feel I have nothing to lose if I escalate to a claim and let PP decide, maybe they will refund the dry cleaning cost with proof of reciept and let me keep it as this doesn't seem to be going anywhere but her getting her more frustrated with me!

😞

[putney32]

Hoping my last message she will understand exactly what I am trying to say and go from there but I feel I have nothing to lose if I escalate to a claim and let PP decide, maybe they will refund the dry cleaning cost with proof of reciept and let me keep it as this doesn't seem to be going anywhere but her getting her more frustrated with me!

no, sorry, that is NOT how paypal work,

they cannot arbitrate on what is fair and reasonable regarding condition/cleaning/mending so they only offer the one option of Return for a Full Refund.

it is only the seller who can respond to a dispute with 'I am willing to make a partial refund'

[foxette-in-sox]

JMO but I'd close the case & leave her a factual & clear negative.

The chances of you receiving any type of refund at this or any other point in time are between nil & zero IMO.

Ebay policy states clothing items are to be clean-perhaps seller needs to brush up on policies.

The faults ARE relevant.

YOU have nothing to apologise or 'suck up' for.

If you tattooed doormat on your forehead,don't be surprised that she has treated you like one.