i won this bag from ebay, and it arrived yesterday:
the seller describes this bag as:
This is a Gorgeous Vintage Light Brown Handmade ZENITH Leather 3 Pocket Shoulder Bag that is in excellent condition. It has a cream lining and the interior is clean.
The bag is in excellent condition without any damage.
I bolded the sections that bother me. Here are my pics of the bag - the whole exterior looks like it's been sandblasted - I think it was rubbed against something and the leather wore off...this is all over the bag. I just took pics of the worst spots.
I do not consider that kind of wear to be a bag in "excellent" condition. Gently (or not so gently) used, maybe. Slightly worn, perhaps. But I don't find it to be as represented in the description.
I'm tempted to leave negative feedback - or at least neutral - for the first time since I've been shopping on eBay. But I wonder if I'm being too nit-picky. What do you seasoned eBayers think? Please share with me from both a buyer and seller's perspective. I only buy on eBay; have never sold anything there.
Thanks!
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"Good taste shouldn't have to cost anything extra." - Mickey Drexler
I can't give you the seller's perspective, but as a buyer, I would definitely feel the item had been misrepresented. However, I would contact the seller before you leave any negative or neutral feedback to see if he/she is willing to do anything for you. If not, then I would leave the feedback. Most sellers really value their positive feedback and are willing to work with dissatisfied buyers to create a satisfactory solution; in my experience, they often resent it if negative feedback is left without ever contacting them first. You may even find yourself getting negative feedback in return in that case.
Michibanana wrote: I can't give you the seller's perspective, but as a buyer, I would definitely feel the item had been misrepresented. However, I would contact the seller before you leave any negative or neutral feedback to see if he/she is willing to do anything for you. If not, then I would leave the feedback. Most sellers really value their positive feedback and are willing to work with dissatisfied buyers to create a satisfactory solution; in my experience, they often resent it if negative feedback is left without ever contacting them first. You may even find yourself getting negative feedback in return in that case.
ITA with everything Michibanana said, and I do NOT think you are being too picky at all. Let us know how this works out for you -- good luck!
you are definitely not being picky! i would ask for a refund, personally. as a seller, i would not list "glamour shot" photos like that, and would show an upclose picture of the bag if the leather was like that. i always try to pinpoint any flaws, no matter how minor.
feedback is really important, and i'd issue a refund on something like that! (if you want to return it)
Thanks, ladies. It makes me feel better that y'all think I'm not completely out of line on this. I like having vintage items, but I only bid on items that are in pretty pristine (or what looks pristine!) vintage condition. I really feel a bit deceived on this one.
The trouble is, I like the bag shape and size...I am going to be running errands today and will stop by the leather repair and see if anything can be done. I doubt it, from the looks of things, but will give it a shot before asking for a return/refund. The seller has about 850 feedbacks with a 99.6 positive rating, so hopefully they'll be understanding if I ask to send it back.
If I do take that route, should I also ask for a refund of the shipping, or just expect the purchase price to be refunded?
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"Good taste shouldn't have to cost anything extra." - Mickey Drexler
Eek. I would be upset too! Especially because in the photo they have in the listing the bag looks perfect (I think they used so much flash it hid the damages).
I took this to the leather repair shop and they told me nothing could really be done to make it look better. So I wrote the seller:
*** Hi,
I received this today and am very disappointed. Your description said: This is a Gorgeous Vintage Light Brown Handmade ZENITH Leather 3 Pocket Shoulder Bag that is in excellent condition. It has a cream lining and the interior is clean. The bag is in excellent condition without any damage.
This bag is very much NOT in excellent condition. There is much wear to the leather and the entire bag looks as if it has been rubbed against something scratchy. The leather almost has a sandblasted effect.
I took it to a leather repair shop and they told me nothing can be done to fix it. I would like my money (including shipping) refunded, please. I feel that this item has been misrepresented and am very disappointed. I love the shape of the bag, but the quality is not as stated in the auction listing.
Thank you. ***
And this morning, she responded:
*** Hi there,
I am so sorry you were disappointed with the bag. It is a vintage bag and was listed as excellent, not like new...
I will issue full refund (including shipping), if you would please ship the bag back to me. Refund will be issued when bag is received.
Again, I am so sorry you are disappointed.... ***
I told her I'd get it into the mail to her today or tomorrow. I'm glad she's being reasonable. I still don't think that "excellent" describes the quality of this bag though. I guess we'll just have to agree to differ on that, and I won't buy from her again.
Should I expect the shipping to be refunded *both* ways? It was $8.05 (usps priority) for me to receive it, and I assume it will be the same going back, as the purse weighs about 2 lbs.
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"Good taste shouldn't have to cost anything extra." - Mickey Drexler
Yeah I would be pissed if the bag came like that. I sure wouldn't describe it as excellent condition! If she doesn't refund return shipping I would leave at least a neautral feedback. That's not fair for you to be out of the money when it was her fault.