I'd like to add that even if my message sounded like I tried to extort the seller, I never meant it to be misinterpreted that way. I wasn't looking for a refund or a partial. I was only leaving reasons to my neg so she wouldn't have to wonder or ask me why. Her policy stated no refunds. Why would she make an exception for me? I never expected her to do so.
This was my only reason for contacting her in the first place when a problem arises for me. A nice apology about the shoes not cleaned before shipment would have greatly eased my frustration or owning up to a poorly packaged box. Seller just blamed someone else.
Then you completely went about it the wrong way. What you should have done is emailed the seller, let her know you weren't pleased with the condition and had to clean the shoes yourself.
There would have been absolutely no reason (at that point) to mention feedback. Who explains a neg long before leaving it? You should have waited for her resolution offer and at that point, either accepted or rejected it.
As for her 'no refund policy," many sellers state that as a deterrent to buyers who consider them to be department stores. But most sellers I compare notes with accept returns if the buyer is reasonable. I know I do.
If the reason for return is my error, I cover all costs. If the buyer has either remorse or item isn't as expected but not due to listing error, she covers shipping in both directions. It's not a big deal and more than once, your seller offered to take the return.
Maybe I had misinterpreted the attitude or vibe I received from her 1st message. I found it rude, very negative and unprofessional. She doesn't want me to be satisfied. She just wants me to go away. Plus, telling me that there are other individuals interested in the item is like telling me, "your loss I can sell it to more deserving people". BTW, it is possible to photograph all visible flaws. All in all, I learned my lesson. I am not an unreasonable person. I am not a jerk who just gives away undeserving negs. I can be the nicest person in the world for those who get to know me and those that already do.
Thank you all for trying to understand me and for those who don't, I don't mind at all. I won't take it to heart.
How often do we say that tone, attitude, inflection and facial expressions are impossible to communicate via the internet?
She may have been a bit unprofessional (in your opinion) but she'd already bent over backwards for you and you still seemed to find something to complain about. (I've never done business with you -- not as buyer or seller -- but in this thread, you do come across as difficult. (And if that's the worst adjective used to describe you, count your blessings! Many of us have been described as worse.)
Lastly, did anyone look at the feedback the seller left for others?
Did anyone look at the feedback the OP left for others?
I'm really sorry this transaction went down the way it did. I wouldn't send them back after putting money into getting them repaired. I think the silver lining is the lesson learned, KWIM?
I didn't get the impression that she paid for any repairs. I think she simply cleaned up the shoes.
Absolutely, then she will take the neg like the opinionated and unfair person that she is!
I disagree both that the seller is "opinionated and unfair" as well as disagreeing that the seller deserves a neg.