Ebay etiquette - do I contact this seller re: problem?

[Tyrone MacStiophain]

I bought an inexpensive linen suit, and it has a stain on the hem that wasn't mentioned in the description. I may be able to get the stain out, and I bought the suit to wear to Burning Man, so I don't need it to be pristine. But he should have mentioned the stain, which is pretty noticeable. (It was the first thing I saw when I opened the box.)
If I want to leave "neutral" feedback, Ebay recommends that I contact the seller first. But I don't know what exactly for. I don't want to return the suit, but I might have bid lower if I had known about the stain. Mostly I want the guy to learn that he has to accurately describe his goods.

What do you think? Should I let him know my problem before I leave neutral feedback, or just leave the feedback with a note explaining why, and be done with it?

 

[officeboy]

Talk to the seller first, and provide pictures. I would ask for some portion of funds back. Leave feedback based on the resolution you come to.

 

[idfnl]

Tell him you need it and want to keep it but deserve a partial refund.

Negotiate that amount. Have photos ready.

If he give your trouble, leave neg.

 

[Gibonius]

Always contact before leaving feedback. I've had issues of this sort numerous times on Ebay, and every single seller has chosen to refund money rather than receive negative feedback. None of them have even asked me to provide pictures, but it's a good idea to at least have them ready.

What seems to work: note the issue. Say you "don't want to leave a negative, but..." It's a very subtle threat and leaves the issue open to negotiation. Don't suggest a number off the bat. They will respond, usually offer a refund of some variety. Some will offer a discount on future merch, I usually decline that and get the refund instead. Push gently at first, then with more insistence if needed.

 

[JamesX]

If the seller is being obstinate then take it up with Ebay or PayPal for merchandise not in described condition. Be sure to double check the sales description for micro prints before you do this however.

 

[NORE]

I recently bought a pair of white Preston pants via ebay and the seller emailed me before shipping that the bottom of the pants had marks (they were unhemmed, the marks were akin to the dirt at the bottom of unhemmed pants at Daffy's from dragging) and offered to refund me, ship them to me and give me a 20% discount, or ship them and let me decide either way and if I didn't want them they'd pay return shipping.

I replied that I'd probably do more damage on the first wear anyway so send 'em. They gave me the 20% anyway, and the dirt was barely noticeable.

That's what I call 5 star service. YMMV

 

[CDFS]

I've seen those pants and I don't think they are chinchilla.

 

[Tyrone MacStiophain]

Originally Posted by CDFS

I've seen those pants and I don't think they are chinchilla.

Oh, in my time we would have killed for a chance to wear chinchilla. We had to stitch up our own trousers out of discarded fishwrappers, rent them to hobos for 6 months in order to pay back the fishmonger, and then wear the hobos 6 month old vintage fishwrapper trousers.

Young people today don't know how easy they have it.