UPDATE:

I have contacted the buyer and offered a full refund, if they would like to return the shoes. The buyer has asked for my address, which I have email to them. I am assuming they have accepted this offer.

No mention as yet as to who is to pay for the return postage. Should the question arise, I think I’ll decline to pay for the return postage.

I am inclined to agree with’ tippy*toes’ that the shoes were ‘as described’ when received by the buyer. They left positive FB and I haven’t received a warning from ebay to say the DSR for my description on this item, had been rated low (I don’t have any stars yet).

I liken it to, say, buying a pair of ‘New” pants from ebay. You try them on, they look good, they fit, you are happy with them and leave good feedback. A month later you actually wear them out. You sit down and the back seam splits. Is it the fault of the seller for selling an item with dodgy stitching? Is it the fault of the buyer, who thought they might stretch a bit with wear?

My question now..... can the buyer still lodge a Paypal dispute? (I think ebay’s has expired) A dispute has not been lodged with either ebay or Paypal as yet. I intend to just do a ‘refund of payment’ in Paypal, once I receive the shoes back. Is the matter closed once I do the refund. Can they lodge a dispute at a later date to claim the return postage if I decline to pay?