Returning item with damage not declared in listing - seller wants me to return without tracking.

[oakleaffy]

I bought a thin, woollen vintage patch, around £12, that one would have sewn onto a jacket or blanket.
I didn't see stitch marks on it, so thought it was unused., but old.

However, when it arrived, I was dismayed to see thick old white glue and other residues on the back which was not photographed or mentioned.

The seller {private} won't send a returns label, and wants me to post at own risk.

The nasty residues and glue should have been mentioned, Had I seen the back, no way would I have purchased it. 

Any advice, please?

[jckl1957 · Accepted solution]

If it was not as describred in the listing, open a return case through Ebay.

The seller will have to accept the return and provide a label if they want the item back.

[oakleaffy]

Thank you, jkc. 
The seller says it's old and rare, and it saying he has been selling on Ebay since the dawn of time and has never had bad feedback {I'm not one for bad feedback!} - I just would have expected such obvious damage to have been photographed if a seller was so experienced. 

[tressygirl]

The seller can make all the excuses they like,  but the item did not have these obvious thick glue and residue marks described in the listing,  not true that all items of that age have this. It should have been mentioned,  but wasn't,  so it's a simple case of item not as described.

Follow @jckl1957  advice,  open that case,  and you will not have to pay for the return postage, they do if they want their item back.

Listen to no more of their pleas,  answer them no more,  just open that case and escalate on day 4 if not refunded beforehand,   or they don't send that prepaid return postage label.

@oakleaffy 

[oakleaffy]

He treated me like a child ''I can't sell it again if YOU have damaged it'' - and mentioning his unblemished Ebay record.
Surely someone experienced in  selling what is basically fragile ephemera should mention things like stiff old cracked glue and residues {where it has been torn off from something} ?

Ebay just tried to call me, but no person there at the end of the line, just crackles.

[tobiasd4]

No need to contact ebay. Cases are automated.

Open item not as described case, seller provides returns label, you post back for full refund.

Escalate on day 4 if no label or refund.

Ignore seller excuses.

[tressygirl]

@tobiasd4  is correct,  there's no need to contact the seller anymore,  no need to contact eBay.

Name calling just shows how ' professional' they are in their selling practises!

Open the case, escalate on day 4 if you need to, and eBay will step in and force the refund.

@oakleaffy 

[oakleaffy]

Thanks, I will wait and see what happens. 
No one likes the hassle of returns,  neither the buyer and certainly not the seller. 👍 

[jckl1957]

Maybe not, but a return case is the proper way to deal with this.

When you open a case, the seller can refund you without return, provide a label or offer a partial return.

Without an open case, Ebay won't do anything so, as advised, there is no reason to contact them.

[oakleaffy]

Thank you @tressygirl ,  @jckl1957 , @tobiasd4  The Boards here are very helpful.

[jckl1957]

You're welcome.  Always happy to try and help.

Thank you for coming back to thank us - most people don't!