ebay help...disappointed with saddle, what can I do?

daveismycat

daveismycat

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Hello from a serial lurker. :)

I bought a saddle from ebay, cheaply, but still in three figures.

The description read:
"17.5 INCH MEDIUM FIT BROWN ENGLISH LEATHER SADDLE.

FANTASTIC QUALITY SADDLE , VERY COMFORTABLE

Has a scuff on the knee roll but cannot be seen once your on board.

Cost £600 new."

And now it's here, the 'scuff' is...
IMAG0166.jpg


IMAG0165.jpg


The item is marked as non-returnable. Do I have any rights via ebay?

I'm feeling a bit disappointed, as I will now have to either have the 'scuff' and girth straps (which are stretched and frankly a bit scary) repaired or, sell the saddle on at a loss (because I'm honest and would disclose the real condition)??

Thanks, I'm not very experienced with ebay. :)
 
I would get in touch directly with the seller and explain your issues with the saddle and if they are willing to do anything as the item is not as described.

If no luck then go to Ebay direct and raise a dispute with the item, Ebay can then make the decision to make the seller refund you. You have to have tried to resolve the situation with the seller before doing this though!

Hope you get it all resolved :)
 
If it's not as described then yes you have rights, did they not show a photo of the 'scuff' on the listing, did they say very good condition, or average condition for age etc? I'd make contact with the seller first and advise that in your opinion the scuff is more than that described and therefore was mis advertised, would they take a return, minus the cost of postage? That or contact ebay and follow their advise through their resolution centre.
 
Better to go through Paypal (I hope this is how you paid or you could be screwed!) than eBay. That is not a scuffle. That is significant damage and the girth straps sound as if they render the item not fit for purpose. Could you post a link to the listing?
 
Thanks. I wasn't sure if I was being unreasonable. There was no picture, just the line in the discription in my previous post. I wasn't sure if I had any rights, because they did disclose the 'scuff', it's just that I feel that is a bit more than a scuff. :(

I'll contact them now.
 
No this is not a scuff, it is a tear, and as it is so prominent, it seems to me it is pretty obvious when ridden, you are perfectly correct to return it.
Also you would expect girth straps to be in good condition.
Generally any scuff is photographed so you can decide whether it is acceptable, and now you have the saddle it is not acceptable, so contact seller ask ask for a return.
I returned an item and also re paid the postage despite of the fact that the purchaser was quite unpleasant to me, a rookie seller.
I hope you get all expenses returned, but you will get the money you paid so far.
If there is any problem, read all the time scales, and "open a case"
I have a sadlle en route and the Parcelforce would not take it:
The vendor sent me this message, and refunded a tenner.
."Royal Mail, Parcel Force and DHL wouldnt take the sadle as they saod the box was too big. Found a courier company called CSM who are delivering it now and they pass to UPS who will bring to your home.."
You have to agree with the vendor an address where she will be able to collect, as it needs to be signed for, otherwise she can say you never returned it!
It would be easiest if the courier sho sent it to you would return it, otherwise there are other companies listed on Ebay who take parcels , there are forums on Ebay which will answer all your questions, obviously this is quite a common one.
 
Scuff?:eek: Def. raise a dispute.
What is the other side like?
TBH with the girth strap problem and the 'scuff :eek:' the saddle looks like it has had a hard life, send it back.
 
Did you pay with Paypal? If you did, then open a dispute. Don't let the seller hang this out until it's too late to do so, you can open a dispute at any time and close it when the seller resolves the problem.
 
Thankfully I did pay with paypal. I wasn't sure if I had to wait for the seller to respond, before I could opena dispute???

Broke_but_happy the saddle fits quite well but, as someone else said, it has obviously had a hard life!

Thanks for the advice.
 
And call me fussy, but these are the girth straps. I can just imgine the front one going ping when were galloping hell for leather across country! Eeeek!

IMAG0167.jpg
 
I've seen worse looking girth straps but are they quite thin now? Because the way they've gone wonky look like they are (can't tell from picture :o )

I think it is the right thing to open a dispute but I presume they won't just say "well it depends what you class as a scuff" ??
 
Don't worry about what they may or may not say. You can open a dispute now, and hopefully be in time to have the funds from the sale frozen. Then be completely black and white about it, message them via Ebay to say that this is not a scuff, it is significant damage, and you want a full refund plus the cost of the return carriage.
 
daveismycat said:
Thankfully I did pay with paypal. I wasn't sure if I had to wait for the seller to respond, before I could opena dispute???

Broke_but_happy the saddle fits quite well but, as someone else said, it has obviously had a hard life!

Thanks for the advice.
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The fact that the item is marked up as returns not accepted means nothing. It can mean that they didn't tick a particular box when they did the listing, but either way you do have rights. The item sold, i.e. saddle must be as described & fit for purpose & clearly it has not been adequately described. That 'Scuff' is not a scuff at all, it's bee worn away over years to cause that damage & not to describe it properly is going to prove a costly oversite to them.The damage is cosistant with being constantly being put on & off a wall mounted saddle rack & the wall being rough brick or similar.

Yow can contact them regarding the condition being not as described but if they have been prepared to try & work this saddle onto you I doubt if you'll get much response. I would open a Paypal dispute with them immediately. Paypal will contact them & ask for a response, which they may or may not get. Either way you will get your money back via paypal, it may take a few weeks though. When you enter the amount you want refunded don't forget to include the postage you paid & also the postahe to return it to the seller. Paypal invariably comes down on the side of the buyer. Good Luck.
 
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Scuff! That aint no scuff. Saddle is not as described, contact seller, be polite, explain your disappointment at the condition of the saddle, wait for reply. Usually the seller will do anything to keep their good feedback rating (assuming they have a good rating) and will make some gesture. Stand your ground, if no go, open a dispute with ebay, they will sort it.
 
Many many thanks for all the great advice.

I have emailed the seller and also started a paypal claim.

Oneinamillion: those straps are really quite thin, but as I said, maybe I'm just being fussy. Either way, this whole thing has put me right off ebay!
 
Please don't be put off buying from ebay - not all sellers are bad - I once sold a saddle, added as many pictures as I could, especially of the 'scuffed' areas, was totally honest about the condition and reason for selling. My buyer was delighted with the saddle on receipt - said it was a lot better than she expected!

I think if you are not sure and the pictures aren't that good then ask for more, at least then you can get a better idea of what you are buying.

Let Paypal sort out the dispute and don't get into an argument with the seller - for some reason that can on occasion go against you. I had some idiot try to rip me off over a moped I was selling - because I tried to settle it privately Paypal took the view that we were 'in discussion' and were unwilling to get involved until I pushed them.
 
That's no scuff, thats a split/tear. Contact the seller and if you aren't happy with the reply, you can disoute via ebay.

I have bought two great saddles from ebay (and sold them via there), so don't be put off.
 
BoolavogueDC said:
That's no scuff, thats a split/tear. Contact the seller and if you aren't happy with the reply, you can disoute via ebay.

I have bought two great saddles from ebay (and sold them via there), so don't be put off.
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Totally agree! I'm a big user of Ebay, there are plenty of honest sellers out there. I've used the dispute resolution option a couple of times for items not as described and have always got the right outcome!
 
Start a dispute, they may change their minds and accept a return it toy could go for a partial refund.
Take into account what the saddle is actually worth and the cost if repairs.
 
daveismycat said:
Many many thanks for all the great advice.

I have emailed the seller and also started a paypal claim.

Oneinamillion: those straps are really quite thin, but as I said, maybe I'm just being fussy. Either way, this whole thing has put me right off ebay!
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Ah don't let it put you off ebay - I am a prolific buyer and 99% of people are honest and describe correctly. If you always pay by Paypal or in person on collection you are protected against the minority of bad sellers. That 'scuff' is definately misdescribed - a 'scuff' would polish - that is worn away leather! :)
 
That is not a "scuff"!!!

You will definatley get your money back.

I sold an item on ebay a little while ago - it was 100% as described, but the buyer then first contacted me to say it doesnt fit, will I take a return? I politely said no - I will not do refunds if the item does not fit. They then went away for a few days and came back having BROKEN the item, and said I sent it to them like that and I must give them a refund. I had photographic evidence of the condition I sent it in, but ebay will 99% of the time side with the buyer so I was forced to refund them (paypal just took my money back :( ) and the now broken item was sent back.

Of course, mine is an extreme example, but if the joker I sold to can get their money back, you will certainly get your money back for being genuinely mis-sold goods. This is not on for a seller to describe that as a "scuff" and say it is in useable condition. You have pleanty of rights and ebay will be on your side.

If I were you, I would email the seller (through ebay) and explain the situation and give them a lifeline of refunding you and not getting neg feedback, If they wont then report to ebay and go official and leave neg feedback.
 
You will be able to get your money back! I've got my money back before on things that are not as described in the listing, it might take a few days for paypal/eBay to sort out though!

This is from eBay website:

What if the goods or services you receive are not up to scratch?
Sale of Goods Legislation
The most important piece of legislation relating to the sale of goods through eBay.co.uk is the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended).

The Act provides that wherever goods are bought they must “conform to contract”. This means that items sold through eBay must be:

of "satisfactory quality";

"as described"; and

"fit for purpose".
 
Agree with all of the above - but do talk to the seller as they might be willing to work something out with you

I bought a synthetic bit described as "nibbled" which meant a socking great hole to the core! I agreed with the seller to partially refund me so I could buy some sealtex to repair the bit and it all worked out nicely.
 
A 'scuff is a worn or rough area' if the scuff is worn right through it becomes a hole or a tear... you will get a refund as the item is not as described!
 
Firstly,it's not a scuff on the knee roll as their advert stated (the knee roll is UNDER the flap ON the sweat flap).It is NOT on the kneepad either (which is on top of the flap) it is a hole in the facing.My friend is a saddler who repairs these sort of things, he says that would cost about £10-12 to repair with a patch over it.It's not life threatening but definately is a sign of alot of wear and tear, the polycord will eventually come out of the facing so would need dealing with. He says if you want this info in writing to throw back at the seller or ebay to back you up,he is happy to do it for you, PM and I will give you his details.
 
daveismycat said:
And call me fussy, but these are the girth straps. I can just imgine the front one going ping when were galloping hell for leather across country! Eeeek!

IMAG0167.jpg
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Unlikely these will break as they are buffalo leather which stretches like mad but doesn't often break.The worst thing is the holes become elongated then the buckle tongue of the stirrup leather buckles pop out and fall off, more important on these is the state of the stitching at the top where they are stitched onto the girth webbing.
 
i've just sold a saddle on ebay with a 'slight scuff on the cantle but not seen when ridden' and mine is literally a cm long scratch which could be covered in polish tbh!!! That on your saddle is a tear not a scuff!!
 
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