What to do when a seller says she put the wrong color after I won her auction?

[livinthegr8tlife]

Seller messaged me after I won her auction to explain she listed the handbag as vanilla when in fact the handbag is white. She didnt apologize but said i should know it was an error by looking at her pictures. In all pictures, the handbag looks beige.I told her the handbag was my daughter's birthday present and she wanted a beige/off white handbag (she could wear it year round; white she can't) plus, she has 3 white handbags. I explained all of this to the seller. I suggested she ask the 2nd highest bidder if they were interested. She claimed they weren't interested then basically begged me to go thru with the sale. Bottom line: I wasn't in the market for a white handbag. I would not have paced a bid if I knew the handbag was white. I realize mistakes happen but I shouldn't have to pay for an item that was misrepresented. Also, I shouldn't have to worry she'll file a claim on me. I would have thought she'd understand I don't want the bag now due to her mistake but she's trying to "guilt" me into paying for something I no longer want due to her accidental listing error. I know you can't revise a listing with bids on it but wasn't there a way all the bidders could have been made aware of the listing error? Look at the pictures - does it look white to you? ALL advice is appreciated - please be brutally honest.

[kopenhagen5 · Accepted solution]

You are well within your rights to refuse the purchase as it is not as described.

Revision is not possible after bids, however you CAN add to the description in large letters as well as contact all the bidders to explain the error and those that were not interested could then retract their bids.

I suggest messaging and explain the advice you have been given is to ask the seller to open a mutual cancellation which you will need to agree to so seller gets their fee back. After it's cancelled, neither party can leave feedback.

If seller opens unpaid item case, contact ebay and explain you have message from seller stating description is different.