item not as described

[vickyhart88]

I recently purchased a ladies handbag, which was described in the listing as brand new, 100% genuine leather. The bag arrived today, and whilst it looks a lot like the real thing, it is not leather. I have sent a message to the seller requesting a refund of a portion of the purchase price, as I could have bought a similar leather look bag locally for a much lower price. I shall now wait to see if the seller will do this for me. The seller has only a limited ebay seller count.

If I do not receive satisfaction from the seller, what other avenues can I explore? I suppose I could return the bag for a full refund, but I like the bag, just not happy to pay so much for a leather look bag, when the description stated it was the real thing

[curraone]

Just to be clear, how do you know it is not leather?

[modestbods]

I suspect from experience.

After taking a bit of a look through the OPs feedback I can see she works a good deal with fabrics & presumably sewing, either as a hobby/professionally. I've seen enough to believe she would know the difference between genuine leather & pu.

[digital*ghost · Accepted solution]

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@vickyhart88 wrote:

If I do not receive satisfaction from the seller, what other avenues can I explore? I suppose I could return the bag for a full refund, but I like the bag, just not happy to pay so much for a leather look bag, when the description stated it was the real thing

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In these kinds of circumstances, if you're not able to negotiate a solution with the seller, it pretty much becomes a case of all or nothing (return for refund, or keep for the price paid), as neither eBay nor PayPal will deal in partials (it would be like asking them to decide what the bag is really worth, which they can not do, so that has to be a private negotiation / solution, but I hope you and your seller are able to reach one).

[modestbods]

Also, what was the date of the purchase? If you purchased November 1st or later you can seek relief via eBay's new money back guarantee.

[vickyhart88]

Thanks for your question..... Well, I have had quite a lot to do with leather throughout my life... Saddles, bridles etc, which gave me a taste for good quality shoes and bags, made of leather.,...

There is no stamp anywhere on this bag claiming it is genuine leather, or from which country it originated. It is a very good copy, especially in the ebay listings photos. Usually the lining in a leather bag is pretty good quality fabric. This one is a very cheap fabric that one would see in a leather look bag. There is no leather smell at all, and the edges of the bag and the handles are fabric finished, no tell tale cut leather with suede on the other side.

I had a look at the sellers feedback, and fail to comprehend how so many people bought these bags, and did not realise that they were fake. You have to see the bag, and handle it to understand that it is not leather..

As I said before, I like the shape of the bag, and the color, so I am keeping it, but I really do not understand how someone could pass off fake leather for the real thing, and get away with it.

Kind regards

[vickyhart88]

The only way to justify my claim, is for someone to actually handle the bag. It is not leather. Maybe she actually makes the bags herself. They are very nice, well made, classy, but the lining is very cheap, and there are no stamps on the bag stating it is genuine leather, which is strange

[vickyhart88]

Thanks for your information. It was purchased before Nov 1st, and I intend to keep the bag. It is nice, but just not the value of what I paid. I could have bought a pu leather bag locally for $30.00 less than I paid for this one. The seller did offer me my money back, but as I said, I wished to keep the bag. Just unhappy with the description.

[springyzone]

If you do decide to keep the bag (and it sounds as if you have) you can reflect your experience in feedback.

Even if you give positive feedback, you are entitled to say you like the bag but it is definitely not leather as you are experienced with fabrics.

Or you could give neutral and just say nice bag but you paid extra as it was advertised as leather and it definitely is not.

Or if you are very unhappy you could give negative and say why.

That way, other buyers who come after you will probably give their bags the once over.

Myself- I think this deserves at least a neutral.

I once bought new shoes advertised as leather and when they arrived was annoyed to find they had it clearly marked on the shoe as non leather upper, leather sock. I did give positive feedback back then but I would not these days, I would give neutral. I expect people to be a bit careful when they list items.

[curraone]

Perhaps you could write to the seller again?    She has offered a full refund presumably upon the return of the bag.    Would she refund a portion of the price and you keep the bag?   I don't know if you have already asked her this.

If it is a fairly new seller, I think negatives or neutrals are a bit harsh.   She did offer a refund.