Help! ebay bag sold as perfect isn't...

[shibumiflowers]

Hi everyone:

I need some advice. I recently purchased an Louis Vuitton Monogram Matte Vernis Fowler bag. Before I made the payment, I verified its authenticity on the LV forum. The pictures showed a clean bag. When I received it in the mail today, I examined the bag and noticed a scratch about an inch on the bottom.

I e-mailed the seller and sent a picture of the scratch. She said that it couldn't have been because according to the pictures she took, the bag was perfect. She also suggested that I made the scratch when I opened the envelope.

First, the bag was put in one of those USPS express mail envelops and then another one. I opened the envelop with my fingers (short nails), there was no way I could scratch a bag that was double wrapped in the usps express mail envelops. Also, I didn't use any instruments to open it other than my fingers.

I'm not trying to be a jerk about this but I didn't think it was fair to be accused of doing the scratching. I'm also not trying to accuse her of anything underhanded. It's just that the auction says a perfect bag but it's not.

So what should I do? What should I say to her? Is there anyway to come to an amicable solution?

Thanks.

[mmmsc]

If you are really unhappy with the bag, file a SNAD and get your money back. But if the scratch is something you can live with, I'd just let it go...

Originally Posted by shibumiflowers

Hi everyone: I need some advice. I recently purchased an Louis Vuitton Monogram Matte Vernis Fowler bag. Before I made the payment, I verified its authenticity on the LV forum. The pictures showed a clean bag. When I received it in the mail today, I examined the bag and noticed a scratch about an inch on the bottom. I e-mailed the seller and sent a picture of the scratch. She said that it couldn't have been because according to the pictures she took, the bag was perfect. She also suggested that I made the scratch when I opened the envelope. First, the bag was put in one of those USPS express mail envelops and then another one. I opened the envelop with my fingers (short nails), there was no way I could scratch a bag that was double wrapped in the usps express mail envelops. Also, I didn't use any instruments to open it other than my fingers. I'm not trying to be a jerk about this but I didn't think it was fair to be accused of doing the scratching. I'm also not trying to accuse her of anything underhanded. It's just that the auction says a perfect bag but it's not. So what should I do? What should I say to her? Is there anyway to come to an amicable solution? Thanks.

[karmenzsofia]

If the scratch is noticeable, the seller should've included it in the description and photographed it. But it's easy to miss a one-inch mark. (Feel free to post photos of it here). Is this a used bag? Did you know it was used before you got it? kuz no used bag is perfect. Hek, even new ones often have marks, KWIM? You can find tiny flaws in every bag. So it depends on how bad it is.

[shibumiflowers]

Hi:

Thanks for your advice. I don't know what a SNAD is. I've never had any problems buying or selling on ebay ever. Recently I've been on a spree and have bought about four designer bags. Love them all with no problems except for this one. I'm not unhappy with the bag exactly, just feel that it was misleading saying it's perfect and not a flaw but then the flaw is rather noticeable on a darker vernis, the scratch shows as white.

I will post a pic.

Originally Posted by mmmsc

If you are really unhappy with the bag, file a SNAD and get your money back. But if the scratch is something you can live with, I'd just let it go...

[shibumiflowers]

Hi,
Thanks for your advice. To answer your question, the scratch is pretty noticable. I sell stuff on ebay too and if I were the seller, I would definitely note that. On a darker vernis, it shows up. Not crazy about this though.

I tried to post the pic but it wouldn't allow such a large file. I'll post on photobucket and link later.

Originally Posted by karmenzsofia

If the scratch is noticeable, the seller should've included it in the description and photographed it. But it's easy to miss a one-inch mark. (Feel free to post photos of it here). Is this a used bag? Did you know it was used before you got it? kuz no used bag is perfect. Hek, even new ones often have marks, KWIM? You can find tiny flaws in every bag. So it depends on how bad it is.

[shibumiflowers]

This is the seller's auction. I was the winning bid. The verbiage on her auction states that is without a flaw...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=180406095659

[Ellie Mae]

SNAD - Significantly not as Described. And if you feel the bags is SNAD, file w/ PP and/or EBAY in their dispute resolution centers if the seller is unwilling to work w/ you.

[chikapinku]

Shibumi, this does not sound like a fun situation at all. Do you have photos of the scratch that we could see?

Just looking over the photos of the bag on the auction page and Photobucket now... they seem pretty detailed, but is it possible that the seller deliberately left out the scratch from those pictures from what you can tell?

Either way, though, the seller is responsible for ensuring that the item reaches you safely and that the item is as-described. So, technically speaking, you do have grounds for a SNAD, but the seller could have just made an honest mistake too. It depends how much the scratch bothers you and whether you'd be willing to settle for it.

I would personally contact the seller back and say what you want... what do you want to come out of it? A full refund? Partial? (Though partial refunds can be difficult as the seller could think you're trying to scam her.) Give her your terms and see how she responds.

[karmenzsofia]

Well, the seller stresses the bag has "NO FLAW" so if the bag has a flaw, then it was not sold as described but not necessarily as "significantly not as described." Again, it depends on the nature of the flaw you found. I would definitely post a picture of it here to get opinions.

[shibumiflowers]

Hi Ladies:

Thank you for your posts and advice. I would like to clarify that I am in no way wanting to cause trouble for the seller who is new, I'm assuming. I really would hate to file a SNAD (thanks for telling me what that is) against the seller nor do I want to come off as trying to scam the seller. It just irks me for I also sell on ebay and always say exactly what flaws, marks, spots etc... an item has. I would never miss something like this, particularly on a Louis Vuitton darker matte vernis.

But what's annoying me most is that when I first contacted the seller and explained (politely, not snarkily at all), I got back a not so nice answer suggesting that I scratched it myself. I wrote and told her that I could not have since the envelops that the bag was wrapped in are basically perfect - not a blemish on the envelop itself! Defies reason.


I posted a pic on photobucket here.

http://s1018.photobucket.com/albums/...hibumiflowers/

It's too big to post in this message.

[karmenzsofia]

Everything you describe is common on fBay and a risk you take when buying anything on that website. Many people don't bother describing bags in detail. Many more expect to sell an expensive designer bag with a single photo in the listing, often a stock photo. And because there are so many scammers out there who do much worse than scratch bags, sellers are paranoid.

The photo is a close up of the scratch--which is quite obvious and visible, as you described--but it does not show the area of the purse where it's located, so it's difficult to get an idea of how it looks on the bag.

Unless you're willing to ask for a return/refund or file a SNAD if she refuses, then there's no point in all this. So you need to decide what it is that you want the seller to do. Do you want to return the bag, keep the bag? Do you want a partial refund kuz of the flaw? (Keep in mind that asking for partial refunds is a common scam and that, as a result, sellers are paranoid about that too). You could try that and see what she says, but she'll likely see it as you trying to pay less for the bag.

Based on the circumstances, if you're pretty sure that the scratch had to be there when she shipped the bag, then you have basis for a SNAD kuz the seller misrepresented the item by stating it had no flaws.

[ladyisobel]

It's interesting that the listing pictures where so big and clear, yet seller neglected to mention such a large flaw, i'd be pretty annoyed on receiving this and would definately open a SNAD.

[pebblesbb]

Agreed. You need to decide whether you want to keep it with the flaw, or file a SNAD and get your money back.

Unfortunately, while the seller's attitude may bother you and come across as rude- there's not much you can do about that.

Originally Posted by karmenzsofia

Unless you're willing to ask for a return/refund or file a SNAD if she refuses, then there's no point in all this. So you need to decide what it is that you want the seller to do. Do you want to return the bag, keep the bag? Do you want a partial refund kuz of the flaw? (Keep in mind that asking for partial refunds is a common scam and that, as a result, sellers are paranoid about that too). You could try that and see what she says, but she'll likely see it as you trying to pay less for the bag.

[giagnm]

Originally Posted by shibumiflowers

Hi Ladies: Thank you for your posts and advice. I would like to clarify that I am in no way wanting to cause trouble for the seller who is new, I'm assuming. I really would hate to file a SNAD (thanks for telling me what that is) against the seller nor do I want to come off as trying to scam the seller. It just irks me for I also sell on ebay and always say exactly what flaws, marks, spots etc... an item has. I would never miss something like this, particularly on a Louis Vuitton darker matte vernis. But what's annoying me most is that when I first contacted the seller and explained (politely, not snarkily at all), I got back a not so nice answer suggesting that I scratched it myself. I wrote and told her that I could not have since the envelops that the bag was wrapped in are basically perfect - not a blemish on the envelop itself! Defies reason. I posted a pic on photobucket here. http://s1018.photobucket.com/albums/...hibumiflowers/ It's too big to post in this message.

That scratch is way too noticeable. You should file a SNAD and send it back to the seller if you don't want it.

[moi et mes sacs]

The scratch is too noticeable IMO and you are obviously not happy with it. I would request a refund from the seller and see if she agrees. If not, you have to go the SNAD route. Good luck.