Buyer wants to return worn dress, how to deal with that?

[supagiftau]

Hi guys

This is the 2nd time it happens to me.

1st time was last year, 2 weeks after her purchase, she wants return it says size doesn't match description; well, ok, I don't want a neg, sure you can return, but why it took you 2 weeks to find out?

When I got it back, you won't believe its condition, so dirty, with heavy perfume smell, there is even pubic hair found in crotch area; I tossed it in the bin immediately.

Obviously the dress has been worn for many times by this scammer, but I had no choice but still give refund.

Now it's happening again, this time purchase was made a month ago (not the same buyer), now she wants to return it says "the material is no good", also some BS like "will neg you if you don't give refund".

I have sold over 30 sets of that dress, no complaint at all.

I have set return policy in every listing, 7 day money back, does that mean nothing at all? 

Then what is this so called "return policy" for? These scammers can always use negative feedback as a tool to threaten seller and cheat money back.

Any way to deal with them at all?

[*sparklz*]

Sorry after that amount of time they really have no right to do this.

Suggest that they list the dress them self to recoup their money.

Reply saying you would only refund on return of the dress in the condition it was sent.

So must not have been worn, washed or soiled in any way.

If they leave you neg feedback then call ebay and they should remove it as they are blackmailing you into a refund.

Have the even mentioned they will return it?

Sounds like they have used it for the reason or purchasing and want their money back.

[phorum_junkie*]

Scratching head here wondering why your main concern is feedback and not being out of pocket!

If it is over a month since they paid keep 'negotiating' until the 45 day limit is past then they can't get their money back, if you can drag it out a bit longer then they can't leave feedback either.

Personally it wouldn't matter how long after they bought it they complained I would ask them to send it back and if it was in the same condition as when sent and there was a fault I would refund in full.

[the-kazbar]

If you aren't going to follow your own return policy then its hard to expect other to do it.

Set a policy, that meets Australia consumer law, and stick to it.

If someone returns an item that has clearly been worn then you can offer to dispose of it for them or re-post it to them at their expense.

[gec2002]

"Sorry after that amount of time they really have no right to do this. (30 days)"

Unfortunately eBay don't agree with you their soon to arrive "Top Rated Seller Plus" requires 30 day returns policy.

"If someone returns an item that has clearly been worn then you can offer to dispose of it for them or re-post it to them at their expense."

But how do you handle it when they then start a Paypal dispute INAD and if they sent it reg post to prove return, as scammers they are not going to hesitate to claim it wasn't worn.  Given we are talking ebay/paypal the buyer is going to win more times than not.  The cost of reg post is just a hire fee for them, prevents it on low cost items but high price may be worth it.

[the-kazbar]

"If someone returns an item that has clearly been worn then you can offer to dispose of it for them or re-post it to them at their expense."

But how do you handle it when they then start a Paypal dispute INAD and if they sent it reg post to prove return, as scammers they are not going to hesitate to claim it wasn't worn.  Given we are talking ebay/paypal the buyer is going to win more times than not.  The cost of reg post is just a hire fee for them, prevents it on low cost items but high price may be worth it.

You then need to show PP proof that the item was not returned in the received condition.

Will you always win? Probably not, but if you don't try then the scammers win 100% of the time

[gec2002]

"Will you always win? Probably not, but if you don't try then the scammers win 100% of the time"

Unfortunately my win-loss ratio is not good at the moment.  I now send preowned items with a seal stating Exchange or refund if product remains sealed.  But as always it all adds to the cost, and the disputes don't exactly help the ulcer.  Also with the reduced sales any scam loss feels a lot worse.

[the-kazbar]

You need to work out if the cost/ratio is worth it to

Im not sure what kind of items you sell but I purchased a dress once that had a swing tag placed through the chest area that was the sellers business card on one side and on the other was printed "returns not valid if tag removed".

[polocross58]

When I managed a boutique, we had cases of people returning items after New Year and Christmas in particular, under a variety of excuses

Upon inspection, we discovered hems had been pinned up, or sweat stains under the arms, etc.

People had bought expensive items to wear to weddings, Christmas, New Year etc..  Then, with special occasion over, they wanted their money back.  And at that time, the boutique chain (I won't name it but their items always attract high bids on ebay) had a no-questions-asked policy which compelled me to give full refund.  The gowns had to be dry-cleaned at our expense and heavily marked-down in price

As a private trader on ebay, you can't afford to do likewise I'd venture

However, if you refuse, they still have time to obtain reimbursement from Paypal I suppose.  Or, if they don't get their own way, they can hit you with a Neg as revenge

There are digusting, unprincipled creatures out there.  Hope the famous Karma sends something nice your way very soon