admin / wonderful grape / 20724 posts
Given that the item isn't labeled as non-washable and she even gave washing instructions, I would ask for a refund. If she says no, then I'd leave a review on Etsy explaining what happened!
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
@HLK208: given that information, I would write her again and say:
"I thoroughly read your listing and store policies. I've notified you within a 48-hour window that I am dissatisfied with the product.
The listing I purchased from indicated that this is a take-home outfit, not a photoprop. Regardless, the item would be worn by my child and therefore, needs to be washed before wearing. Since this is a handmade item, I contacted you prior to washing to get instructions. I followed your directions, and it resulted in bleeding colors and a ruined outfit.
I am requesting a full refund or a replacement."
pomelo / 5820 posts
I would definitely dispute! If she doesn't refund you or send you a new outfit, I would leave a review with pictures stating what happened. As an Etsy shopper, I would want to know that there is potential for dye issues when washed (following her instructions, no less!) and that she is unwilling to rectify issues with her customers.
So sorry! What a bummer.
pineapple / 12234 posts
@Mrs. Jump Rope: she offered half of a refund and said that's the best she can do. Should I still leave negative/neutral feedback?
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@HLK208: I would still dispute and leave negative feedback. that was too expensive of an outfit to not have it refunded or replaced
ETA: did you send her a picture of it?
pineapple / 12234 posts
@Mrs. Pen: I asked her if she would like to see a photo and she didn't respond. Now I need to find a new coming home outfit (a majority of shops that sell similar outfits, at least say they wash them in dreft first!)
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
I would leave negative feedback. Of course baby clothes need to be washed first!
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
@HLK208: can you wall me her shop?
It very well might say in her policies she doesn't accept returns/refunds.
I want you to be fair in your review, so I would RE-read everything.
persimmon / 1472 posts
I am just reading this thread and am so disappointed that the Etsy seller is being so unreasonable. She should very obviously know that the product is not as advertised and how could you NOT wash a newborn product. Carter's is great and I love them but I don't know if I would call it a "high end product". She has just gone bonkers with the reasoning now. I hope you get it resolved and agree if she continues responding in the same tone, to leave negative feedback and report the transaction to Etsy.
cantaloupe / 6059 posts
@HLK208: I need the shop link, too. But more out of curiosity than anything.
This infuriates me. She has definitely contradicted herself. I feel like she should provide washing instructions with the outfits or provide instructions NOT to wash if she truly intended for the garment not to be washed. You have to think that it has happened before with someone else!
I'd probably just leave bad feedback and call it a day.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@littleveesmommy: haha I almost posted that too - but it was a little off topic. I like carters too but would never deem them high quality.
pineapple / 12234 posts
@coopsmama: I know!! She said this has never happened before with the hundreds of outfits she's sold and since I'm the only person, she can't take my word for it. Well, I'm glad customer service is still alive...
cantaloupe / 6059 posts
@HLK208: Well if she's sold hundreds of outfits and it's only happened once, what's the harm in refunding?!? It's only a drop in the bucket, financially-speaking. Grrr. And it's a shame because that outfit was so cute, too!
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
@HLK208: ok, I read her shop policies.
Just a PSA for anyone who buys on etsy: each individual storefront has policies. Each stores policies will be unique. They have to meet guidelines in order to sell on etsy, but can then make their own policies.
It is each buyers responsibility to read those policies before making a purchase. If you're buying on the etsy app, it might be a little trickier to find them. But, I promise you that they are there.
The policies exist in order to protect the buyer AND the seller.
In this instance, the seller says in her policies that she does not accept refunds or returns for any reason.
I understand that you're disappointed in the quality and the outcome after having washed the item, but you assumed that responsibility when making the purchase.
I'm still put off that she gave you washing instructions then back peddled and said the item shouldn't be washed.
But she is absolutely within her right to not refund the money. If you dispute it via PayPal, she will have an opportunity to respond. All she has to do is provide her shop policies and tracking number to confirm you received the product, and they will find in her favor.
cantaloupe / 6751 posts
@HLK208: I'm sorry! That's crazy that she wouldn't expect you to wash an item before you put it on a NEWBORN. I have friends in merchandise production/buying and they always tell me how dirty the clothes are when you purchase them. She should definitely offer you a full refund since you followed her directions and the clothing was ruined. If she doesn't, I would leave a bad review.
And I'm genuinely curious, is there some sort of policy against leaving bad reviews on Etsy? I've only purchased off there a handful of times and had good experiences, but if something like this happened, I wouldn't hesitate to leave a (truthful) negative review.
honeydew / 7444 posts
I would leave a negative review so that other buyers know..and therefore won't buy from her. Her response to you was so off-putting.
@Mrs. Jump Rope: While she has her policy of no refunds, i think it's quite unfortunate, especially since she sold her an item that the buyer ended up ruining due to the seller's washing instructions! (This reminds me of the Tommy Hilfiger case where his labels said "Dry clean only" but the clothes got ruined by dry cleaning.)
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
@pinkcupcake: There really isn't any kind of policy regarding reviews, which in some cases really hurts the seller. I've had a few negative reviews in 3+ years on Etsy, and there's nothing I can do about it.
I had someone leave me a bad review because they purchased a printable then it wouldn't print metallic gold on her black and white laser printer at home. Etsy wouldn't remove the review, so I had to hope that other buyers would realize that 1. You can't print metallic anything and 2. If you've got a B&W printer, you can't print COLOR.
I had another person leave me a negative review because they couldn't print glitter. Really?
And most recently, someone left me a negative review because their local PO wouldn't deliver the package to their home & they had to pay extra for a postage shortage. I had shipped flat rate, so she shouldn't have had to pay anything and it's completely out of my control if the PO wouldn't deliver an *envelope* to her mailbox.
Sellers can only respond to reviews that have 1 or 2 star ratings, I believe.
pineapple / 12234 posts
@Mrs. Jump Rope: it said she wouldn't do refunds unless there was an error on her part though
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
@HLK208: But it wasn't an error on her part. You washed the item, and something happened. That's out of her control, honestly.
She SHOULD have been upfront about washing (dos and donts). I'm annoyed that she wasn't but it wasn't her fault that the fabric bled.
cantaloupe / 6751 posts
@Mrs. Jump Rope: Wow, seriously?? Someone left you a bad review because they couldn't print in COLOR off a B&W printer?? That's just... *shakes head*
This is what frustrates me about eBay, too. I received my first bad review recently for something that was totally outside of my control, and of course, eBay wouldn't do anything about it. I just occasionally sell random things so it's not a huge deal, but it's definitely upsetting and I can see how it could ruin a seller's business.
@HLK208: I would leave a negative review in your case, though... just honestly state what happened (that you followed her instructions, and that resulted in the onesie being ruined). I think other buyers should be aware that this could happen...
pineapple / 12234 posts
@Mrs. Jump Rope: fair enough. I do wish she had posted somewhere in the listing that the fabric wasn't washed prior to making the item.
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
@HLK208: If I was the buyer, I would be ridiculously irate as well. I do expect excellent customer service and attention to detail on a handmade product.
With that said, her listings completely suck. There's really no nice way to say that!
The listings should be so transparent that there should be no need for you to contact the buyer ahead of time. She doesn't mention her process, the type/brand of fabric or materials, shipping information or care instructions.
At the absolute least, I would message her, accept the partial refund, and tell her how crappy her listings are.
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
@pinkcupcake: Yup. And I get at least three messages a week asking me how to print glitter.
I DON'T KNOW. If I did, I wouldn't live in such a small house. I'd be a freaking millionaire for being the genius that can print glitter.
pineapple / 12234 posts
@Mrs. Jump Rope: lol to printing glitter! I swear, I'm not one of THOSE buyers!
bananas / 9227 posts
Because she's being so rude, I'd contest it and show the email about her washing instructions as proof. I do not think you should pay for false advertising and poor customer service. I detest that she's going back on her washing instructions and saying how it shouldn't be washed since it's not for everyday wear (especially when she advertises it as going home outfit). I can't believe no one else has complained! I think she's preying on pregnant women!!!
coconut / 8430 posts
Omg how irresponsible. I would definitely let the etsy seller know what you want (e.g. a full refund) and if you don't get it, you'll have to leave negative feedback about the transaction. I don't think a half refund is acceptable since the item cannot be salvaged.
I'd also pursue a chargeback with Paypal or your CC as well. Paypal might find in your favor, and I would think $60 is worth giving it a try.
Good luck!
grapefruit / 4731 posts
Again all sellers are not like this! Most sellers are very good and strive for great customer service.
I am a very low key seller. I sell 2 items a month on average with a no refund or return policy. I have resent an item once because the item was stolen from my buyer's porch. I had no reason not to believe him so I just sent him a similar item (since they are handmade can't send something that looks exactly the same) with signature required. I have yet to get a bad review *FX* but I would gladly refund or send a new item to someone if they contacted me. One time I even offered a refund to an unhappy customer that also had his item lost in the mail b/c I didn't have a similar item in stock and he actually refused to accept it, he just wanted to tell me what happened and thought I was great seller.
I should note that etsy is just a hobby for me and I feel people that use it as their main income are going to be a lot more tight about giving money back or resending items.
I just wanted to point this out in case this situation has turned any off anyone on the HB boards to etsy. Etsy is normally great! I swear.
pineapple / 12234 posts
@Raindrop: I agree, I've bought hundreds (...oops...) of items from etsy. I've only had maybe 3 problems? But of the 3, 2 sellers fixed the problem without disagreeing with me or putting blame on me and the third was this seller!
grapefruit / 4731 posts
@HLK208: I'm so happy the 2 other times were great. Grrr this 3rd time!
GOLD / coconut / 8266 posts
@HLK208: @Mrs. Jump Rope: but HLK208 contacted the Etsy seller before washing the product and the seller gave her instructions on how to wash instead of saying don't wash it. Isn't that an error on the seller's part?
I want to know the shop too!
grapefruit / 4770 posts
@CupQuakeWalk: That's a good point! I know with Amex you can dispute items that you DID get, and services. I disputed when I got my hair done,and made her stop because she kept burning me and,I ended up having to go get treated for burns. I only let her make 3 passes with the flat iron before I was out of the chair. She did not finish, gave me 2nd degree burns, and would not refund me (they hold apt with card so she charged it!) Amex,was great about it and, I don't think it was unethical at all.
I would dispute it to etsy. My etsy seller messed up our wedding invitations. They arrived with ink bleed. She was like I don't know what to do, and didn't offer my money back. I ended up having to send them as I didn't have enough time for another custom order but ended up leaving neutral feedback. Was too stressed from wedding planning to dispute it, but I probably would have under different circumstances.
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
@swedishfish: it IS, but it's outside the scope of etsy. Does that make sense?
If she'd had posted the washing instructions in her listing, it'd be a different story.
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
@dc yoga bee: that makes me angry. Quality control much?! I'm a wedding stationer and a complete perfectionist. I would be horrified if I gave invitations to a bride that were less than perfect. Sorry you had such a poor experience
admin / wonderful grape / 20724 posts
I would demand a full refund still. Regardless of her stated refund policy, she is still subject to the FTC guidelines around truth in advertising. She sold a product labeed as a "take home outfit," not a one-time "photo prop" that can't be washed. If she had accurately labeled her item, I'd accept that you had no case. Since she didn't, I'd pursue the full refund.
In any case, I'd almost prefer to eat the full refund just to leave a detailed review. If she won't give accurate descriptions of her products, the only remaining line of defense is fellow buyers/reviewers!
grapefruit / 4770 posts
@Mrs. Jump Rope: Awe,thanks. No one complained to my face about them other than MIL of course! Thankfully, she got the wedding programs right. That's what irked me. I wanted matching programs and she didn't even take $5 off or offer free shipping those (which were my next order).
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
@mrbee: not sure if you saw the listing, but it is described a photo prop or take home outfit.
It wasn't false advertising. Her listing is scarce though and doesn't describe the materials used, and doesn't even specify if the item has ready been washed and/or if it is washable.
pomelo / 5820 posts
I don't know... I mean, I've worked in retail stores where "final sale" items are clearly marked as non-returnable. However, we used to make exceptions to provide good customer service in certain situations. I feel like this is one of those situations.
She made her own policies, probably to protect herself from people changing their minds or using an outfit once and trying to return it. But what happened here is a fluke kind of thing, and I think she should provide a full refund. She told the buyer how to care for the garment, and it got ruined. I'm disappointed in her response, and I would probably leave a review that reflects that.
GOLD / watermelon / 14076 posts
@HLK208: This B owes you a full refund or a replacement outfit at a minimum. I kinda want you to wall me her shop name so I can send her a little message.
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