buying on ebay: lost in translation

I recently duplicated some awesome boots I bought on ebay, from a seller in China. I have bought from China before, and conversed with the seller easily. When I got my second pair of boots, they were clearly mis-marked -- they were stamped with my correct size, but are about a full size smaller. I emailed the seller:

Me: Hi, I think there was a mistake on the size. I bought the same boots before in gray, size 39/8.5, but these are much smaller and have "8" written on the bottom in pen. Please let me know how to exchange for the right size.

Seller: We don't have a size 8. Those are really an 8.5, but if they are too small, you can send them back for a size 9.

Me: No, the item was marked a size 39, but you had clearly written notes in pen, correcting that it was actually a size 8. Also, you don't sell this item in 9.

Seller: It is a size 8.5! We do not make a size 8... please believe me! if it is too small.what about you send it back to get a refund? or you can choose a style of shoes which have the size 9.

Me: I have the exact same boots in size 8.5. These are not 8.5, no matter what is printed on them. All I want is the correct size 8.5. If I return them, can you make sure I get the right size?

Is there some other wording I can use to communicate what I want? Any suggestions? Anyone write in Chinese? International shipping is expensive, and I don't want to get the wrong size a second time...

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

I dont' think I'd want to chance having a second pair sent. I'd see if you can return them at their expense since the sizing is mis-marked. Although, I'm not going to hold my breath for you

biscuitsmom

I hope you went thru Paypal on this transaction....they will definitely help you out if you did. If you didnt, I would still contact ebay to see if they will help out. I wouldnt even try to get another pair of boots from this seller, just attempt to get your money back. Good luck!

Barbara

rae, sorry for your Ebay difficulties. This is the exact reason I rarely deal with Ebay sellers from China, even if they have great feedback. A LOT can be lost in translation.

If the product is not as advertised, you have the right to return the boots AND get a refund. Unfortunately, return shipping is usually on you, unless specified by the seller in the Ebay ad.

(website)

Rae, I know this isn't the solution you are looking for, but if they fit like 7 1/2 and are gray, I would be happy to buy them off you. I've been debating back and forth ever since I saw yours!

Maya

Ebay is tricky and risky, no question. I go into every transaction knowing full and well that problems might arise, and there may be nothing I can do about it.

I would not rely on Paypal or Ebay for help. I still get flustered when I think about what happened to me several years ago. I had just discovered the virtues of premium denim, but couldn't afford it, so naturally I turned to ebay. I bought 2 pairs of 7FAM jeans, received them, and wore them happily. I didn't have any experience with premium jeans at the time to tell the difference between real ones and fake ones. When I found out, I tried to get ebay to help me get a refund from the sellers who sold me the fakes, and while they terminated the accounts, they did not issue me a refund. What the seller did was not just against ebay policy, but illegal, so I was very surprised that even if they couldn't get him to pay up, THEY should have paid up for letting that schmatta pass through their filters.

All in all, I am very careful about buying on ebay now, and even so I still find myself making judgment calls as to whether it's worth the risk and hassle.

I agree with the others. Cut your losses and move on. You're already out for shipping and now probably return shipping. Do you want to pay for the cost of shipping the new boots, knowing that the seller might misunderstand?

Rae, maybe you can explain through measurements. Like: this boot is only 9 inches long whereas the ones I first bought are 10 inches long. I need boots that are 10 inches long. That sort of thing?

rae

Ah, Mo, these are unfortunately the black version. However, you remind me that reselling is an option -- thanks!

They just replied and it seems like it clicked that something is wrong with the shoes. They offered to send me a second pair for the cost of shipping only, and let me keep the first pair. I think I will risk this option, as a "return" will cost me the same amount in shipping and leave me with no boots to try and resell to recoup costs. Plus, I still do love my original gray pair.

What do you think?

rae, I think it is quite fair that they are allowing you to keep the original pair to resale and are working with you to correct this issue. I would pay the shipping, rejoice and await receipt of the correct size boots.

Ebay purchases must be approached with cautious skepticism and a LOT of common sense.

Wow, that's a generous deal. I'd take it, assuming the shipping isn't insanely high (which I am assuming).

Sounds like they want to make you happy.

You could even make up for the cost of the boots by re-selling the first pair and ultimately pay nothing but shipping. Looks like you even have an interested buyer

Maya, I'm so sorry to hear about your bad experience! I have been a casual buyer and seller on Ebay for years, and I have definitely run up against dishonesty on both ends of the deal. Paypal is usually great about siding with the buyer; I'm shocked that you didn't get a refund.

I'm definitely going to take the deal. I think I'll be the only one with that product in the US, so I feel good about making up the costs.

Mo, I will also measure my gray boots and send them a note to make sure they are the same before shipping the new black ones! Very good idea.

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