Recently I've had a rash of ebay issues with my leather jacket purchases. For the most part I don't really buy that much online anymore, so the fact that my last two purchases have had issues, makes it more than frustrating with everything ebay.
In the past when a description wasn't 100%, and the item wasn't as described I chalked it up to me having to tread carefully with sellers that seem...clueless. I only requested a return/refund once when I got a jacket that smelled of manure, and the the seller claimed "OH THIS ISN'T A NORMAL SMELL?" Well, duh.
Two months ago I received a jacket that was 1" off in measurements in all dimensions, and more than 1" in the shoulders. I'd had it, politely requested a return, and the seller immediately called me saying they don't want it back, and would I accept a $50 refund. Of course she was slightly bitter about the fact that it sold relatively cheap to begin with. I was ok with the refund, and I know measuring garments can be hard, but 1" is the difference between a jacket that fits and one that doesn't. So it goes to the "sell" pile.
Fast forward to tonight, my horsehide biker jacket arrived. I got a good deal, or so I thought. I knew it probably needed a new liner, but everything seemed sound. I specifically asked the seller "Does the jacket have any foul odours?" The seller never responded, but I still bid and paid despite that. That was my first hint that I might see some trouble. Generally I wouldn't bid but I was flush with some $$$ from a jacket sale months prior.
The seller mentioned "Talon front zip and zippers also at the wrists and left and right bottom back." From that I inferred that all zips were original and working, Talons no less. Only one zip is Talon, more than half have been replaced with cheap YKKs. Sigh. There were ample pics, but were low res so the zips are mostly a blur. And somehow the seller managed to snag pics that don't have any of the weird mold-esque stains (seller mentioned jacket could "...use a cleaning"), an understatement of course. And there is loose stitching, the seller mentions one area, but there is MORE at other points to boot.
When I sell, I might not take a picture of EVERY issue (will get the main ones of course), but will always add everything in the description, and will price it accordingly. The seller did mention most issues, but the description regarding the extent of these issues is lacking.
I love the styling of the jacket, it fits well, but it is plagued with a bunch of little issues. Don't really want to send it back, it was a cheap-ish price, but I still feel like I've been had. And since I've had some issues lately, I don't want to have it on my conscience that "I'm that guy" wrangling sellers for problems that come with the territory of vintage leathers.
What would you fine FL'ers do?
In the past when a description wasn't 100%, and the item wasn't as described I chalked it up to me having to tread carefully with sellers that seem...clueless. I only requested a return/refund once when I got a jacket that smelled of manure, and the the seller claimed "OH THIS ISN'T A NORMAL SMELL?" Well, duh.
Two months ago I received a jacket that was 1" off in measurements in all dimensions, and more than 1" in the shoulders. I'd had it, politely requested a return, and the seller immediately called me saying they don't want it back, and would I accept a $50 refund. Of course she was slightly bitter about the fact that it sold relatively cheap to begin with. I was ok with the refund, and I know measuring garments can be hard, but 1" is the difference between a jacket that fits and one that doesn't. So it goes to the "sell" pile.
Fast forward to tonight, my horsehide biker jacket arrived. I got a good deal, or so I thought. I knew it probably needed a new liner, but everything seemed sound. I specifically asked the seller "Does the jacket have any foul odours?" The seller never responded, but I still bid and paid despite that. That was my first hint that I might see some trouble. Generally I wouldn't bid but I was flush with some $$$ from a jacket sale months prior.
The seller mentioned "Talon front zip and zippers also at the wrists and left and right bottom back." From that I inferred that all zips were original and working, Talons no less. Only one zip is Talon, more than half have been replaced with cheap YKKs. Sigh. There were ample pics, but were low res so the zips are mostly a blur. And somehow the seller managed to snag pics that don't have any of the weird mold-esque stains (seller mentioned jacket could "...use a cleaning"), an understatement of course. And there is loose stitching, the seller mentions one area, but there is MORE at other points to boot.
When I sell, I might not take a picture of EVERY issue (will get the main ones of course), but will always add everything in the description, and will price it accordingly. The seller did mention most issues, but the description regarding the extent of these issues is lacking.
I love the styling of the jacket, it fits well, but it is plagued with a bunch of little issues. Don't really want to send it back, it was a cheap-ish price, but I still feel like I've been had. And since I've had some issues lately, I don't want to have it on my conscience that "I'm that guy" wrangling sellers for problems that come with the territory of vintage leathers.
What would you fine FL'ers do?
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