- Joined
- Aug 14, 2009
- Messages
- 27,459
Paypal just processed my refund. Their website descriptions may or may not be true, their by-phone descriptions may or may not be accurate, but by vendor policy it is your problem either way.
Long story short:
-found the site from a google search for a very specific item ("pools of light" bracelet w/ sterling floral repousse banding, ready-to-wear bracelets are hard to find!). A bit overpriced, but looked to be exactly what I've been wanting to gift my mum with for some time. Got excited.
-called to make sure the banding was solid sterling. Was advised that "they had no reason to believe it was anything other than as advertised". Should've smelled the rat, but - well, hope springs eternal.
-checked the return policy. Excitement diminished: no refunds, only store credit minus 25% restocking fee. But, I thought, I had called to confirm sterling, the website clearly stated sterling and 'excellent condition'.. it couldn't possibly be falsely advertised so - obviously and unassumingly, right? ...
-... wrong. Most problematic, plated findings and repousse metalwork. Crystals loose in their bands. A short rinse and one slipped right out, clasp fell off - would definitely need some restoration.
-told vendor of problems and requested refund. Was informed that I was 'mistaken' and could send back for store credit minus fee as per policy. Responded that this was an unsatisfactory resolution. A few more back and forths, got some surprisingly rude emails, and began a paypal "dispute".
-vendor escalated to "claim", noting that return policy was clearly stated and that 'buyer had obviously damaged the piece, probably with pliers, quite possibly beyond repair' (by rinsing piece for some 30s in warm water and attempting to wear). Fortunately I had A) saved dated screenshots of the item description, B) taken several photos showing condition upon receipt (including rusting, oxidation, and the ultimately trivial loose clasp). PayPal took all of 48hrs to decide that I was afforded the refund upon product return.
Morals of the story: don't trust places with cr*ppy return policies - no matter how tempting, take lots of pictures, and pay w/ a cc... and I'm back on the hunt.
Long story short:
-found the site from a google search for a very specific item ("pools of light" bracelet w/ sterling floral repousse banding, ready-to-wear bracelets are hard to find!). A bit overpriced, but looked to be exactly what I've been wanting to gift my mum with for some time. Got excited.
-called to make sure the banding was solid sterling. Was advised that "they had no reason to believe it was anything other than as advertised". Should've smelled the rat, but - well, hope springs eternal.
-checked the return policy. Excitement diminished: no refunds, only store credit minus 25% restocking fee. But, I thought, I had called to confirm sterling, the website clearly stated sterling and 'excellent condition'.. it couldn't possibly be falsely advertised so - obviously and unassumingly, right? ...
-... wrong. Most problematic, plated findings and repousse metalwork. Crystals loose in their bands. A short rinse and one slipped right out, clasp fell off - would definitely need some restoration.
-told vendor of problems and requested refund. Was informed that I was 'mistaken' and could send back for store credit minus fee as per policy. Responded that this was an unsatisfactory resolution. A few more back and forths, got some surprisingly rude emails, and began a paypal "dispute".
-vendor escalated to "claim", noting that return policy was clearly stated and that 'buyer had obviously damaged the piece, probably with pliers, quite possibly beyond repair' (by rinsing piece for some 30s in warm water and attempting to wear). Fortunately I had A) saved dated screenshots of the item description, B) taken several photos showing condition upon receipt (including rusting, oxidation, and the ultimately trivial loose clasp). PayPal took all of 48hrs to decide that I was afforded the refund upon product return.
Morals of the story: don't trust places with cr*ppy return policies - no matter how tempting, take lots of pictures, and pay w/ a cc... and I'm back on the hunt.
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