I sold a coat I’d had for a few years the other day and the buyer messaged beforehand asking if I would accept a return if it didn't fit. I told him that I was a private seller and could not accept returns for fit and that was stated on the listing. I also pointed out that the coat measurements were on the listing and told him my height and weight, and suggested he compare himself with me if he was unsure. I also told him that it was a large overcoat that was big on me but that was how I liked it and to bear that in mind.
He seemed happy and bought it. But then he requested a return because even though he said it was a lovely coat it didn’t fit… Now, I’ve been an eBay member for getting on for twenty five years and have bought lots of stuff that didn’t fit but I’ve never asked to return it if was from a private seller - I just sold it on. So I apologised and politely reminded him about the pre sale messages and said no.
The return was closed but he didn’t give up and contacted me again, and again I politely refused. Then he must have appealed to eBay who first told me they were considering his case and a short time later refunded him. I was pretty gobsmacked by that. I’ve had buyers abusing the return system by claiming non existent faults as everyone has, and you just have to grit your teeth and accept it. But to claim a return for fit issued with a private seller and eBay gets involved and issues a refund?
I didn’t have to refund the money, it came from eBay under buyer protection I assume. It’s no skin off my nose I suppose. But it’s just another way eBay has become skewed to the buyer. Now he gets a free coat because he didn’t understand the measurements on the listing or pay attention to what I told him beforehand.… It seems to me that this is a very good way of getting free clothing if this is how it works now.
