Help with ebay feedback for costume!

[je_ateek]

I had a really crappy ebay experience before this last costume and I felt like I should have been more harsh the first time, so tell me, what would bhuz do?
The costume is gorgeous, but like many costumes with rhinestones in metal setting, they are snagging on everything, lots of stones are missing (she said "a few," but not like this), fringe has fallen off, some of the rhinestone chain is hanging off the costume, the hem had wire in it, but it's messed up and not pretty and lettucey, the other edges of the skirt are fuzzy, I think from all the snagging, and there's a funny crusty white substance on the inside back of the skirt. I don't think I want to find out what it is.
So, given the fact that i wasn't warned about the severity of rhinestone loss, the mystery white stuff, and some things in need of repair, what should I do??? She included rhinestones to replace the ones on the chain, but they are not the right kind and won't fit...

[kina]

I;'d leave honest feedback "costume not in as new condition, although gorgeous" factual tells people what happened and not enough to get you screwed with a retaliatory neg.

[ssipes]

I think if you are that unhappy with the costume you should contact the seller and ask to return it for a full refund on the basis that she didn't adequately describe the condition. If you paid with paypal or a credit card, you can pursue a chargeback from them.

I think just leaving negative feedback without giving the seller a chance to make good is rather icky.

Sedonia

[Lauren_]

Originally Posted by ssipes

I think if you are that unhappy with the costume you should contact the seller and ask to return it for a full refund on the basis that she didn't adequately describe the condition. If you paid with paypal or a credit card, you can pursue a chargeback from them.

I think just leaving negative feedback without giving the seller a chance to make good is rather icky.

Sedonia

This would be my advice, too.

[damiena]

I think you should definitely contact the seller. If I ever sold anything that someone was not happy with, I would want them to contact me so that I could make it right. I have sold quite a few costumes and for the most part, I have heard back great things, but once or twice, the buyer said nothing and I had to wonder if they just didn't like it as much in person or if I had missed something when I did my pre-sale check.

I think the crusty white stuff is reason enough to request a refund, that just sounds gross!

[bintbeled]

I agree that you should contact the seller, rather than just leave negative feedback. This will give you a both a chance to work out the problems. Once you leave negative feedback, there's no more room for negotiation. I have found it helpful to quote the wording of the auction, then explain why the item doesn't match it. Tell them that you're unhappy and considering leaving negative feedback.

Give the seller a chance to make it right by letting you return the costume *and* refunding all shipping, since the item was not described accurately. If this doesn't work, then you can try the chargeback that Sedonia recommended.

On the other hand, if you still love the costume but feel you overpaid, try to get a partial refund from the seller, pointing out that you paid for a costume in excellent condition, but that's not what you got.

Most sellers will go to great lengths to avoid negative feedback!

[je_ateek]

I guess my problem is that I really like it, like Latifa said. The costume is listed in "Used" condition so it doesn't say it's pristine, but given the problems, I really should contact the seller. I guess I feel dumb because I asked for more pics and she never sent them. I don't think she's sold a costume before because all of her feedback is as a buyer...