I would like to know what your thoughts are for returns on the Lost Dogs Forum

landolinks

    I recently had a transaction that has gone a little sour and wanted to get some input. I will leave out a few details as far as if I was the buyer or seller to keep this as unbiased as possible and will not be mentioning the counterparties name as this is not an attempt to drag someone's name through the mud. Just looking for a general feel on this topic.
    A pearl jam vinyl was sold through the Lost Dogs forum for around $100 that was described as "great condition". When the record was opened by the buyer the album cover has two bubbles on the front. The buyer notified the seller immediately and conversation was very cordial and has remained that way. The seller apologized and said that it had been on the shelf and just didn't realize of that condition issue. The buyer and seller were not able to come to terms in a negotiation as far as what a discounted amount would be so the return was the only option. 
   This is where it gets a little hairy. The seller has reimbursed the buyer for the album and the original shipping cost but doesn't feel paying the return shipping is appropriate. I will include a few pics of the cover. As I mentioned the buyer/seller have been nothing but friendly and I would like to keep it that way. So who should pay the shipping fees on returns? Once again plz keep comments positive as this isn't meant to offend anyone, just figuring out what protocol is to achieve a solution. Go!

2-feign-reluctance

OP, you should edit your thread and post in LD only. This is likely to get moved. 

drakeheuer14

Seller pays return shipping fee

It’s just a matter of what was disclosed. If a seller didn’t inspect and report on the item condition well enough, then the buyer should not be on the hook for anything if an agreed amount can’t be reached for the trouble. 

Kearn5y

Seller pays return shipping fee

Looks like it has been relisted with the fault noted. 

PJNB

Seller pays return shipping fee

How much is shipping? Would that be equal to the discounted amount you are trying to agree upon?

Seems like the seller is trying to come out with not losing as much money as they can which is understandable but also should of spent more time inspecting and grading what they are selling. Tough one but it is the sellers responsibility to full disclose the condition. Imo the buyer should not lose a dime as long as they are not being picky to a point.

I do not buy or sell much merch so maybe I am wrong with the above but thats how I would feel if I was in that situation. 

rustneversleeps

splitting hairs here.  you didnt want it, ship it back.  

Zod

I dunno. That's tough. Someone is going to be out the shipping.   That being said those bubbles on the cover should of been noticible when packing the record (unless the record was already in a box and the seller didn't check it before mailing it).

I dunno. It feels to me like this this one's on the seller.   Had you know the condition, you might not of ordered it, or not paid that amount for it.   That being said there's always middle ground, maybe split the shipping

It's too bad you couldn't negotiate a discount. That would probably be the easiest thing to do.  Shipping makes everything expensive :(

cp3iverson

I’m just glad everyone is keeping it classy.  Stuff happens. 

mcgruff10

I would say split the shipping.  Just my .02.  

Kearn5y

Seller pays return shipping fee

mcgruff10 said:

I would say split the shipping.  Just my .02.  

Zod said:

I dunno. That's tough. Someone is going to be out the shipping.   That being said those bubbles on the cover should of been noticible when packing the record (unless the record was already in a box and the seller didn't check it before mailing it).

I dunno. It feels to me like this this one's on the seller.   Had you know the condition, you might not of ordered it, or not paid that amount for it.   That being said there's always middle ground, maybe split the shipping

It's too bad you couldn't negotiate a discount. That would probably be the easiest thing to do.  Shipping makes everything expensive :(

Add this as an option, and I would have chosen it. 

JojoRice

I agree. Split the return shipping cost.

mfc2006

mcgruff10 said:

I would say split the shipping.  Just my .02.  

Yup--fair for all involved.

hihobibo

Seller pays return shipping fee

In this situation, If I was the seller, I'd pay the fee, but if I was the buyer, I'd offer to split the return fee. I think the seller needs to take on the cost because the condition should have been noticeable prior to sending it out. 

Once I sold a poster that looked good framed, but had a little corner wear I noticed when it was not in the frame. I mentioned it to the buyer before shipping, took photos, and they asked if I would take some $ off the price. 

PP193448

The buyer was already reimbursed shipping fee to receive the vinyl.  Buyer should pay the return shipping fee.  Seems completely fair to me. But why even go thru this if the actual LPs are in great shape.  $100 is a good price.

on2legs

Seller pays.  The item was not accurately described so it’s on them to pay for the return.  Cheers to the parties involved for keeping it cordial. 👍🏻

SweetDaddyLou

Kearn5y said:

Looks like it has been relisted with the fault noted. 

If the item has been re-listed, maybe the new buyer can pay the seller who in turn pays back the original buyer who ships it on behalf of the seller and gets their original shipping money back. 

HollisBrown

Seller pays return shipping fee

I returned a Klausen Pearl Jam poster from Jojosposters and only got the price of the poster returned. So, even the best don’t reimburse return shipping.

pledgeagrievance

Seller pays return shipping fee

Onus is on the seller to send out item as described 

HughFreakingDillon

Seller pays return shipping fee

item not as described: seller assumes all liability. the buyer shouldn't have to pay for something when the end result is no product/service is rendered in the end. 

that being said, there have been transactions I've been involved in, where the seller quoted me a shipping price that was way below the actual cost. it was already a decent price, so I offered to meet the seller halfway on the actual shipping cost, even after agreeing to the original price quoted. I was, however, keeping the item. 

RoleModelsinBlood31

Shoot I woulda kept it.  $100 is a good price.  It’s unsealed anyway, just spin them bad circles

mace1229

I don’t think there’s a set answer of who pays what, it depends on each situation. One man’s definition of excellent condition might be another man’s poor. If a bubble is that big of a deal to the buyer, especially to the point where no partially refund could be reached, he could ask more questions and for more pictures. If he did and it was assured it met his definition of excellent, then that might be on the seller. If he didn’t, and just assumed it would be near perfect and the bubbles are too small to even show up in the pictures, then it might be on the buyer, at least partially and to the point of split the shipping.
I haven’t sold a lot of high end items, but the few I have the buyer asked questions and I have gave explanations and close up pictures. I’ve done the same as a buyer. I’ve purchased posters labeled “good condition.” I asked specifically what that meant, what kept him from calling it mint or nm, and for pictures. There’s been a few times I was happy and bought it and a few times I decided not to. I have never wished I didn’t ask though.
A couple small bubbles might prevent most from calling it excellent condition, but if that’s going to make someone want to return the item at no cost, probably better off to get a better description first.
All that being said, I've been lucky here and dealt with great people. I can think of 3 posters off hand that were in better shape than I expected because looking at it in person wasn’t as bad as the close up pictures I was given. Gibbons was one seller, can’t remember the other 2 off hand (but I remember which posters they were). 

My point, sellers always seem happy to talk about condition in more detail if it’s important.