posted on August 30, 2000 12:48:38 PM new
Okay - I have a question for you all - please help me decide what to do as I am not sure....
I listed a men's Brooks Brothers blazer. A gentleman bought it for about 29.00. Prior to bidding on it he requested the measurements of different parts of the blazer, I responded with accurate measurements (such as:shoulder to hem is 28 inches - sleeve length is 23 inches -it is a 38 regular).
He purchased and paid for the blazer and he has just emailed me indicatin that the blazer is a "short" - and that it indicated it on the tag which i had taken a very nice picture of and emailed him. I was not aware that the coding on the tag indicated a short size but he says it does.
Anyway, now he wants a refund. Do you think i should refund his money to him?? I supposed I could resell it but i'm not sure I should offer to - i indicated on my auction that ALL SALES ARE FINAL.
please give me some advice on how to handle this one......
posted on August 30, 2000 01:24:24 PM new
A tough one.
There certainly is a difference between a size 38 (38R) and a 38S - 38 short.
You offered a 38 in your listing when it was a 38S (assuming that your buyer is correct). Sellers have an obligation to describe their items accurately.
In any event, I suggest that you refund and resell. That way you avoid a major hassle as well as a neg. And who knows, you may sell it for more the next time.
posted on August 30, 2000 02:02:39 PM new
"all sales are final' really shouldn't apply when the seller mistakenly misrepresented the item. Unless you are the wife of a 'short' you probably wouldn't know about the tag marking, but that S on the tag makes a big difference!
You did, however honestly, make a mistake in your description, and should give a full refund.
posted on August 30, 2000 02:03:00 PM new
If it doesn't fit the customer, I'd refund it; it's probably worth more than the bid price anyway.
As long as he returns it neatly and promptly so you can get your FVF credit, that will do.
Make a point that you are making an exception for him and that he needs to return it promptly.
posted on August 30, 2000 02:08:26 PM new
I'd do a refund on this one.
Hey, I didn't know jackets came in "short!" My husband has the darnedest time finding jackets that fit because they're all too big (and he's my size - if we were sisters we could share clothes, LOL!) Luckily he only wears a suit jacket about once a year anyway.
posted on August 30, 2000 02:12:58 PM new
Did you say you emailed him a photo of the tag BEFORE the auction ended?
If so, then I would say the buyer had the information on size in hand before the sale became final.
The fact that you gave him the actual measurements of key areas of the jacket before hand also shows he had adequate information to make an informed purchase.
So, if you did send him that emailed photo before the auction ended I would say you are on solid ground to refuse a refund.
BUT...good customer relations would really dictate that you go ahead and refund anyway...and be very friendly when you let him know you will refund.
posted on August 30, 2000 06:35:57 PM new
As a seller, I would refund.
As a buyer, I have some comments. I did a search on eBay a little while ago for "Liz" jeans, size 8 regular. I found quite a few Liz hits, but hardly any designation as far as Short, Regular, or Long length. One seller has 8 in the title, but then in the auction says the tag says 4. Now, I know Liz runs a bit big, generally about one size for me, but if the pants are a Liz 4, most buyers of Liz would know what size they needed. To say an 8 in the title, then causually add that the tag says 4 is nonsense.
Now, this makes a huge difference in the fit of a pair of jeans, and I am baffled how some of these sellers don't realize this. All the sellers I found have feedbacks of over 150, so they are not "newbies".
posted on August 30, 2000 07:01:10 PM new
thank you all for your valuable advice - i guess i would normally have not even thought twice about refunding this man his money but I spent a lot of extra time taking more pictures of buttons and even the barcode tag that he now says indicats that the blazer is a "short". Believe me - it was not in those words on the tag - must be some code or something he understood that I didn't - my friend that bought the blazer didn't even know it was a short!!
Anyway, i did the right thing and told him I would refund his money as soon as the item was returned. I am just getting started with this business and have lots of used clothing and just want to do things right from the beginning. I state that "all sales are final" but I guess i have to bend those rules if I make a mistake.
I keep remembering a pair of Calvin Klein jeans I bought - they were listed as a women's 12 - so i bought them. Upon receipt and attempting to put them on - i quickly realized they were a GIRLS 12 - not a womens!! I emailed the seller but didn't request a refund - i resold them myself.
Can't wait to get into this fulltime like so many of you all are!! I feel this way about buying used clothing - you are taking a risk even with the measurements and pictures - just like any other item you buy online! I think you have to be totally flexible and not all of us are - i know i've taken up enough space and time so once again, thank you for your advice!
posted on August 30, 2000 10:04:16 PM new
Do always put the measurements in the auction. I have had many used items that were altered and you couldn't tell to look at them. And people do read the measurements, at least sometimes. I had one email me and question the size based on the measurements. I remeasured and checked the size tag and everything in the auction was correct. It saved her bidding on something she couldn't wear.
My auctions say the clothing is sold as is unless I have made a big mistake in the description. This would be a missed hole or snag or in one case a mismatched set where I missed the different size tag in the skirt.I have refunded some as we all miss something occasionally.
Good luck on your auctions.
