Wow.

I wonder if you realise how distressing it is a new seller to come on here genuinely seeking advice and be basically accused of dishonesty by a member. Not at all what I expected. "Deliberately misleading?" How dare you.

I have read the listing a number of times over the last week and I thought (naively perhaps) that when it is listed in the silver plated section and listed as silver plate in both the description and the title that it was an accurate description. Maybe I didnt make it as clear as I should have out of inexperience. (To me, silver plate and silver plateD read the same - but obviously not to you and perhaps not to the buyer, I know that NOW). Did I tell you that I was a newbie at this? Yeah I think I did. But intentional deception? Really?

But hey, as you obviously think I am a scammer, there is one more fact you should now.

The buyer in question, yes the one who has sent back the item, contacted me on the 4th November (yes, this is prior to the auction ending on 5th November) and asked me

"is it sliver plated or sollid silver?"

So yes, maybe it was not clear.  He did the right thing and checked. And I responded to his email 10 minutes later by saying:

"Thanks for your email. Sorry if it was not clear, it is silver plated. Hope that helps and let me know if you have any further questions"

I attempted to change the listing at that point but it wouldnt let me as it was too close to the end.  He was the only bidder and I had made it clear to him so didnt see what else I could do.

Maybe he read my email. Maybe he didn't. You know what? It actually doesn't matter why he returned it.  He could have just decided it didnt match his furniture, I dont care.  I was happy to refund his money until it came back broken. 

So you can speculate all you like about why he returned it, but making insinuations about my honesty is not helpful to anyone.  New sellers like me come to the forums to learn how to do this better, and to gain assistance from more experienced sellers like you guys for the betterment of everyone and to be a better ebay seller. Not be bullied.  I know I will think twice before asking for help again.

Thank you VERY MUCH to the other members who gave their time and advice to assist me with this, I appreciate your generosity and understanding in explaining my options to me and your constructive criticism in how to improve my listings.  I guess I will just have to figure out how to proceed from here.