posted on February 12, 2002 04:09:37 AM
I have heard about people buying collectibles, claiming they were damaged or defective, and then trying to return a different piece. Much has been mentioned about various inconspicuous ways to mark items. How about clothes? I sold a designer dress to a lady who now claims it has a huge stain. I have pictures of it in my possession which clearly show it didn't. Has anyone found a way to mark clothing? What would you think about getting one of those price tagging guns with the plastic barbs, and not accepting returns unless my tag was attached?
posted on February 12, 2002 09:09:40 AM
Perhaps hand sew a somewhat invisible thread within a seam or alongside a seam as your identifying mark? Only you will know that it is there.
posted on February 12, 2002 10:51:36 AM
You can probably use those invisible marking pens on clothing (on the inside, of course, in an inconspicuous area like a seam). You use an ultraviolet light to make the mark show up...otherwise, it cannot be seen. Or using a tagger gun and applying your own tag would work as well.
I sell both antiques and clothing, and luckily have never had anybody demand a refund based on what I think might be a "bait-and-switch" scenario. It's a lot easier to do this with common merchandise that is easy to find, like Pokemon cards or other popular collectibles. With clothing, especially designer items, I would think it would be much harder, as they can't be found just anywhere, in the specific size, style, color, etc., that you happen to be selling.
I would be willing to bet that your buyer wore the item, got a stain on it, and is now trying to get a refund. I don't know how you can prevent something like this from happening, because a secret mark isn't going to help you here--unless the buyer wore it, stained it, and then tried to dry clean or wash it (which would remove the mark).
Offer to scan the photos you took and send them to her as proof that the garment left your home in perfect condition. I'd probably refuse a refund, but it depends on how much (and how good) your feedback is, since you're almost certain to get a negative out of this transaction.
Or you could take the high road and refund while gritting your teeth and telling yourself that the customer is always right. I have done this once or twice on small inexpensive items, but I wouldn't do it for a costly designer item without getting it back and being sure that the damage really existed and could be attributed to something I had done (or not done) or that it happened during shipping.
Good luck with this. It's an icky situation no matter how you look at it.
posted on February 12, 2002 05:45:27 PM
The buyer wants to keep the item and me issue a partial refund. I've told the buyer I don't know how this could have happened, I certainly didn't see a stain when I listed it, which I do sitting next to a bright sunny window, and I've studied the pictures closely and don't see a stain where she described. I suggested maybe the package could have had something spilled on it in transit, (even though the item was wrapped in tissue and then in plastic) so I asked her to send me back the dress and the packaging so I could refund her money and take it up with the postal service. Funny thing, I haven't heard anything else from her.
posted on February 12, 2002 06:24:15 PM
What I usually do in these cases is I always request the buyer send me a picture of the Item showing all the damage as well as a picture of the package with my shipping label visably clear.
I inform the buyer that my items are marked so that I can Identify them even if they are not.
if the buyer is pulling a quick one I usually get a reply back quick saying that they didnt want a refund just wanted to let me know
if its an honest claim they will send me several pictures of the Item the dmage and the packageing includeing my shipping label in these rare cases where I get what I ask for I refund with out further question I never take returns because the prices of the items I sell takeing returns would just cost me and the buyer more time and money in the end then the deal is worth.
if this person can send you two or three picture of the itme with the stain and it looks like the item you shipped prolly is http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
Email [email protected]
[ edited by dman3 on Feb 12, 2002 06:26 PM ]
posted on February 15, 2002 09:51:29 AM
I offered a full refund including postage both ways if the buyer would return the item. She says that would be "inconvenient" and that she will just keep it and leave positive feedback, but she appreciates the offer.
Now I am on the other end of the coin. I just received an item I bought, and it is stained. The damage did not occur in shipping. I contacted the seller and offered pictures. She said that if I return it, she will refund purchase price only (sticking me with shipping both ways) or I could make her an offer on a price concession and keep it. The auction listing specifically says there are no stains. Why should I have to pay shipping for an item that is not as described?
posted on February 15, 2002 09:55:15 AM
I hope you have separate buying and selling accounts. If the item was not as described, the seller should pay for shipping both ways. Anything less than that, it not acceptable, and I would do what I could to make their life difficult (i.e. complain to ebay, etc., not do anything bordering on illegal) - I would also give them a big fat neg. Again, I hope you have different accounts, because as a buyer it is really not a big deal to get a neg.
