can I try to remove marks from clothing before opening a dispute?

[needlessjunk]

Hi, after a bad experience buying clothing off ebay I decided to try again......

purchased a couple of pre loved items they arrive and both have marks on the front.

one I don't think the marks will come out the other item may come clean.

the marks stand out, they are right there on the front of the items, can't miss them really.

only fault on one item is the mark on the front the other item has marks on the front a cigarette burn on the hem at the back (could cut a bit off the hem and re-hem) and 2 large holes on the inside of each side where I'm guessing breast pads were cut out (not sure if I can do anything to fix that)

question is can I give the items a wash, try to remove the stains now or should I open a dispute before doing anything?

I have messaged the seller haven't heard anything back yet but did only message them today so will give them a chance to reply first.

they are preloved items, the listings didn't mention the stains or the other faults but I also didn't ask if the items had any stains, burns or cuts, can I still open a dispute or is it just bad luck and part of buying preloved clothing?

if I can get the stains out then I can wear one item and try to fix the other problems on the 2nd item but if the stains don't come out they are wearable if you don't mind the stained look.

thank you for your help

[amber-eyed-girl]

There are ways to politely say, unfortunately, the item you sent me had undisclosed damage, and provide the proof with a photo.

If the garment is dirty, the seller is at fault, as all second hand clothing must be cleaned before listing (eBay policy).

Your mention of scammers inclines me to believe you have had issues with buyers lying to you, I am sorry to hear that.

If you read the entire thread you will see I encouraged the original poster to provide photos.

You are also viewing my buying account, don't make assumptions please. Like others, I prefer to keep buying and selling apart.

I post with one ID to be open, clear and honest on the boards, with all posts made by me with one ID.

[thecatspjs]

Amber there are two sides to every story on the boards.  The seller may not agree with the OPs perspective.

Perhaps read back through threads on scammers, ebay rules and paypal rules and you will see that it a broader issue than one experienced by any single seller.

Did you read the recent thread on the unhappy camera buyer who sought a partial refund of $150 - will it didn't go well for that buyer.

[amber-eyed-girl]

That was for a missing warranty.

This is clearly a situation where the sellers are at fault 100%, no possible grey areas.

The original poster seems to like the items enough to make repairs, and clean them, at the cost of her own time and a bit of inconvenience.

I have said "in my experience" it is a good idea to approach a seller first.

I have never tried to scam.

I have always been polite, when asking the seller if they are prepared to contribute to a dry clean cost.

If they don't want to, then it's up to them, certainly.

On any selling platform there will be fraud, misinterpretation, and the odd oversight in listings.

There are two sides to things.

I am sure plenty of people ask for things they are not entitled to, and where there isn't a real issue.

With dirty clothes, I would personally prefer to have the cost of cleaning from a seller than go through a dispute, if it can be avoided.

To me, that is as a courtesy to the seller, also, so they don't have a dispute on their file.

[thecatspjs]

I am not referring to clothes, my post is about the issue of buyers requesting or being seen to "demand" partial refunds.

The remedy for not as described, is the sellers decision - until it is escalated to a Paypal claim.

Nothing wrong with negotiation but IMO all requests should be very, very carefully worded - or a buyer may get a violation for feedback extortion.

If you indicate to a seller that you are happy to keep goods, but want a partial refund, the wording of how you put this to the seller may potentially go against you in a paypal dispute.

[amber-eyed-girl]

Well, I was making a suggestion purely relating to the question as posted, based on my own experiences with sellers who send out items similar to those described.

I have not had any experiences with missing warranties or the like, so wouldn't (and didn't) enter that thread.

I can see that sellers would not want to have "demands" made. With clear proof of faults though, sellers have (in my experience) been polite and friendly. If there's a little something wrong, I'll fix it myself, that's my advice too 🙂

But here, I wouldn't, it's too much to have bits cut out etc.

You can make the exactly the same negotiations from within a Paypal dispute.

[amber-eyed-girl]

I agree totally that wording is important, and I am sorry I didn't make that clear at the start 🙂

[amber-eyed-girl]

eBay customer support says it is fine to ask a seller for a part refund for cleaning.

Paypal says it is fine to ask the seller for this directly, prior to opening a Paypal dispute.

Asking will not affect a Paypal dispute. The only thing that would affect a Paypal dispute is if the garment has been cleaned by the buyer prior to opening the dispute, as that alters the garment.

Then, buyer protection is no longer available.

The original poster can call Paypal herself to confirm this, 1800 073 263.

I have not provided any misinformation.

[amber-eyed-girl]

statement from eBay support.

I needed to ask for an item I just received, so I needed to be completely clear myself.

[thecatspjs]

Partial refund scamming is a problem for many sellers, even if you have not struck it yourself.  Its apparent in lots of feedback that I have seen over time and come up in countless threads.

The decision to give a partial refund is a sellers decision (unless in Paypals hands).

I will comment on any posters advice given on the boards that alludes that a partial refund is some kind of consumer right, as it is misleading and it is not a consumer right in Australia.

If a buyer seeks to negotiate that outcome then they need to be very mindful of their wording, or if they go at it like a bull in a china shop, they may undermine their own consumer rights.  

If you want to debate this further, let me know and one of us can start a thread on the topic.

[thecatspjs]

lol amber ... ebay customer service

... thats a wind up surely ??