eBay query re saddle not as described...

ecrozier

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I've messaged seller and am fairly sure I know where I stand but wanted to run it by anyone whose had this problem before.....
Bought a saddle, listed a wide fit, 17inch flat seat. I know that's what I need as have exact same saddle in a MW and its marginally too narrow at front, usable with a rear riser according to saddler but as they are old-ish and not huge money I've been on the lookout for a wide version of same, also means both boys have their own jump saddle.
Anyway, found one, bid and won, having exchanged emails with seller etc. She posted promptly, arrived yesterday and is in lovely condition as described - however as soon as I got it out of the box I thought 'hmm, doesn't look very wide...'. Figured maybe was because the flaps had been curled in in box, and was late-ish last night, so resolved to look closer today. Took it up to yard, and in the daylight had a really good look under flap where I know the stamp is on mine with make/model/size. It's really faded, as is mine to be fair, but three of us looked and it seems to be stamped M 18 :( so its a medium not wide and 18 inch.... Too long and too narrow. Popped it on horse just on case and it sitting miles up at front because too narrow, and then sat it next to my equivalent MW, and its definitely not wider. I'm a bit annoyed as its not THAT hard to see the stamp, so have messaged seller saying politely that its not as listed - I could possibly live with the length but width makes it useless to me.
I should be able to return it and get a refund shouldn't I? Hopefully seller will just say post it back and refund me, which I will do, but if they are awkward, I should have a case through eBay? It's not impossible to read the stamp at all - faded yes, but outline marking still there in daylight.
 
Yes defo. Its wrongly described. Even if the seller refuses you can go through paypal and get a refund (although this may take longer)
I'd be wanting and asking for a FULL refund which includes postage also.
How bl**dy annoying for you!
 
Yes I'd like a full refund! It's an older saddle but still cost me £300+ and I have been looking for a while for this specific saddle in a W 17 or W 17.5!! Gutted it isn't what I wanted.
That's good to have what I thought confirmed tho thank you. PayPal refund might take longer but at least I should get one eventually even if she is difficult!
 
Just open a case through eBay saying the item isn't as described. They will ask you to contact seller etc first but they always tend to side with the buyer and will get you a full refund :)
 
Thanks guys. Have sent her a message via eBay and emailed her, so if dont hear back today will open a case tomorrow perhaps.
 
Soooo many people on ebay don't seem to know how to measure a saddle (length from front to back rather than stud to back!) I've taken to asking them to take a photo of specific measurements with the tape measure in the photo - most are happy to oblige.
 
Too true Polosmum. She did send me a d-d ring measurement but I pretty much ignore those as a)dont know from what point it's being measured and b) it's not actually a genuine reflection of width anyway! Just went on fact she said was sure it was a wide - assumed (foolishly) she must know what width her horse takes.
No reply as yet :(
 
Just open a case through eBay saying the item isn't as described. They will ask you to contact seller etc first but they always tend to side with the buyer and will get you a full refund :)

Did she give you any measurements?
I had similar a while ago....advertised as wide fit, stamped on stirrup bar clearly as medium when it arrived.
Ebay sided with the seller! They said as measurements were given ie d to d ring etc then it was as described! They hadn't given me the gullet width but trying to explain to eBay the issue was like banging my head off a wall.
I was well pissed off, nothing I could do but sell it on.
 
Be aware that according to ebay/paypal rules you are responsible for paying the postage back to the seller so you'll still be a little out of pocket. You'll need to send it via a tracked method so you can prove it arrived. If its lost or broken in the post you'll be responsible for claiming a refund from the postal service, so ensure its appropriately insured.
 
I had a similar experience, the seller refused to take the saddle back so I opened a case. Ebay told me to send the saddle back and emailed me a pre-paid return label.
 
Yes I accidentally misdescribed something once (it was a ring, I measured the wrong size) and you have to let the buyer return it and refund their postage. Lucky there was actually a stamp as otherwise it is hard to argue the difference in width fittings unless a measurement is compared.
 
She emailed me a D to D measurement but that wasn't in the original listing - that just says wide. Yes, am very glad the stamp is still there, just about visible if you look really hard in bright daylight!
 
OP. ive definitely read somewhere recently that measuring saddle width from d ring to d ring is the incorrect method (as you say yourself) as so many saddles can have their d's in different places and unless you see a photo of the measuring being done, some muppets ive known have measured over the pommel not in front of the pommel.

if ebay should come back to you stating that the D-D measurement given means your saddle 'as described' if you can find some expert saddle fitting guide online that states this is wrong, and copy and paste it to them, you should stand a chance.

Thats where i read it, as im in the process of saddle hunting atm too.

This d-d thing has really taken off for some reason.

Goodluck getting a refund. You should be ok, bloody hassle tho, This is one of my worries about buying saddles unseen :(
 
Sadly I don't think it would show up on a photo, it's quite hard to make out. I could possibly dust some chalk over it or something but then run the risk of returning saddle not in the condition it arrived!!! May try looking under bright torchlight later see if that picks it out more, and get a photo to send.
There were no measurements given in the listing, just via seperate non eBay email so hopefully will be ok :( such a hassle, I am usually very reticent to buy unseen too but know exactly what I need with this one, shame its not what was advertised!!
 
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