Bought Wrong $1200 Rug Design from eBay!

I have been looking into 100’s of wool rugs over the weekend. I shortlisted 3 and added them into Ebay cart. After lengthy discussion with wife, we agreed on 1 design. I bought the rug in morning while I was in hurry for work this morning at 6:30am. Upon checking the receipt, I realised that I purchased wrong design. I sent message to seller around 7:30am that it was purchased in error so please cancel and process the refund. I sent them another reminder at 11am but I received an automated confirmation from eBay at 1pm stating that the item has been shipped.

I have sent numerous messages to seller but they are not responding. This is $1200 rug which I don’t want. I understand the seller had plenty of time to cancel and they will get full credit on eBay fee upon cancellation but they are playing devil by not responding and going ahead with the shipment.

What are my choices here? I cannot return upon receipt because they offer exchange as per their return policy.

TDLR: Bought wrong rug in hurry and seller has shipped it despite of 2 messages.

**Update: I received response from seller at 4pm yesterday stating that they have just read my message and already organised delivery. They responded to message which was sent at 3pm and they ignored messages which were sent at 7:30am, 10am and 1:30pm. If they are running business and use courier, I understand they could generally get credit from courier company for cancellation. I use temando 5-6 few times a year and I had no issue cancelling pick up with them where they provided me credit.

If they were unable to cancel the booking, they didn’t still even ask me whether I was happy to bear courier cancellation charges. Clearly they are trying to force sale!**

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closed Comments

  • Find one on their page which you want to exchange it for? Sell it on? Get credit and sell the credit on? Ask around to see if anyone else wants to buy a rug from there and get them to pay you x amount for it?

    • Unfortunately the one we want is from another seller.

      • +6

        Yeah if it was from the same seller, I think it's a bit unreasonable of them not to swap it for you but since you want to buy from another seller then I think they have every right to proceed with the sale. Once you click that commit to buy button then it's legally binding. I feel sorry for you but it's just one of those annoying things you have to cop on the chin like a speeding fine for going 8km over or reversing into the mail box.

      • How did you accidentally buy the wrong item from a different seller? Sounds like you just changed your mind.

  • You could just live with it…

    You could sell it on eBay.

    You could ask the seller nicely if they will accept it as a restock if you purchase the
    correct one and cover return freight.

  • +64

    Your choices are

    1. Keep it
    2. Sell it
    3. Buy a rug to put over it
    • +23

      Ooh, option 3. lol

      • +8

        Yeah, option 3, I think they should go with option 3.

    • The savagery of Option 3…(☞゚∀゚)☞

  • +4

    Would you mind linking the rug you purchased? It might be eligible for free eBay returns / Paypal returns.

    • Buyer only offer exchange as per their return policy. Even I send via paypal return, I cannot get refund.

      • That sounds really unusual..They must have had issues with returns in the past. Maybe go and live chat with eBay and explain the sellers ignorance to cancel the order, I reckon they will side with you considering your attempts to cancel.

        • +29

          Clearly buyers ignorance here, not sellers. They are under no obligation to take the item back.

        • @omgitzrick:

          Not really ignorance considering the fact that the OP mis-purchased and took all the precautions to fix the issue, I'm sure the seller must have saw the messages before shipping the item, but didn't even respond.. Understandable if the OP received the item but then didn't want it.

        • +1

          @omgitzrick: it is my fault for placing wrong order but I sent message straight away where I believe they weren't even opened.

          Seller is trying to avoid messages.

        • +3

          @Tipu:
          It was a $1200 order, naturally he was not keen to stop the sale.
          When mail ordering it's best to make very sure before you hit that buy button :-(

        • +2

          @Tipu: You committed to the sale when you hit buy now.

        • @doweyy: Very correct. Seller acted in a BS manner despite the OP screwing things up to begin with. To OP yeah it sucks, just say EFF U to all the troll-wanabe/judges/sticklers in this thread and move on.

      • Tipu, help us to help you.

        What is the name of the Ebay seller? :S

  • +8

    Honestly I think you may be screwed. If the seller does not offer returns it is not really in their interest to allow you to do so given the high value of the rug. Sell it on Gumtree or do an exchange with the seller for the best rug they sell that you like? I am surprised you purchased a $1200 rug on eBay to begin with!

    • -1

      $1200 rug isnt very ozbarogain like. I searched ozbargain for rugs and plenty come up heaps cheaper.
      You just have to wait for the right sale to come up or at least an ebay code.

  • +47

    I'm just amazed anyone would spend $1200 on a rug they haven't seen or touched!

    • +43

      All the rug places are closing down/going out of business, had to get it off eBay ;)

    • +3

      Is this a floor rug or a "rug" (wig)?

      • +3

        Well it's wool, if that helps.

        • +4

          Could be a Kiwi thing. lol

        • +3

          @holdenmg: OP may just have to wear it, in either scenario.

    • +3

      I'm amazed anyone would spend $1200 on a rug full stop. So many better things in life to spend that money on or take $1200 worth of time off work.

    • I'm surprised that someone would buy a $1200 rug.

  • +6

    Tell the delivery man that they have the wrong address / recipient :)

    • The item will be returned to the seller and they'll charge a >10% restocking fee. Win win.

      • *Reshipping fees

        Not restocking

  • +2
  • "All sales final" … best you start changing your tastes in rugs!

  • If you paid via PayPal with a linked credit card, it might be worth looking at the conditions of your card for any privileges that you might have.

    Some cards do have an option of refunding (all or part of) the price paid for an unused item, provided that it is wholly paid for using that card, your card account is active and you return it to an address indicated by your card provider.

    • Bought via Amex which cover only $500.

      • +1

        Well, if the eBay vendor refuses to take back the rug, you cannot on-sell it to another party or otherwise exchange the item for a value greater than $500, it might be worth exercising this option.
        That way, you'll be out of pocket $700 instead of $1200, with AMEX reimbursing you $500.

        As for the forfeited $700, write it off and treat it as an expensive lesson.

  • +8

    Have you mentioned this error to your wife? I know if I made such an error my partner would keep the rug as a constant reminder! :P
    It was one of the shortlisted rugs after all.

    • +5

      My wife would roll me up in the rug and dump me in the river!

  • +4

    I'm curious. Could you give us the link for the one you bought, and the one you wanted to get?

    My 2 cents:
    1. You can send it back, you pay for shipping, and then you have to wait for them to receive it before they can refund/send you the other one.
    2. You can try sell it, but I don't know how much you would get for it.
    3. Use it in another room, gift it, hang it on the wall? But you'll be $1,200 out of pocket.

    • +3

      He doesn't need to send it back. If he doesn't receive delivery, it i'll go back but the seller can provide proof to ebay/paypal that attempted delivery took place to the address provided but it wasn't received. Then the seller gets to keep the 1200$ and also charge the OP reshipping fees for the same rug. The OP made a big mistake when he said he placed the order in error in ebay message system. If he knew the seller did not refund on ebay then all he had to do was wait for delivery and open a paypal dispute saying product not as described. Could've said the shade was not accurate as in the photo. Done. I personally side with the seller as you bought it without being physically impaired. I personally would offer refunds but maybe not for a rug…especially a 1200$ one.

  • +10

    Was it a Fakari Rug?

    • Perhaps claim it wasn't genuine Fakari OP?

  • This isn't ethical, but if you refuse delivery, then you cant be held responsible for not receiving it. If they keep sending it and you keep refusing it, then eventually you will have to get a refund. I wouldnt suggest this normally, but they obviously got your messages to cancel the order and ignored it, so you have the ability to do the same thing with the delivery on your end by ignoring that.

    • +2

      What's the goal here? The buyer refuses delivery, the courier company sends the rug back to the seller, and now the seller has the money and the rug.

      PayPal protection will be on the seller's side - they'll have proof of shipment and the buyer won't be able to claim Item Not Received if they are refusing delivery.

      Then, if the buyer doesn't collect the rug within 6 months, the seller can sell it (Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act 1967).

      Sounds like a great way to lose $1,200.

      • -2

        Proof of shipment means nothing, they have to prove you received it. The only way to prove that is with signed on delivery. If you ignore delivery, you can claim it wasnt delivered to you, or any number of things, you can get a refund through paypal. Paypal 99% of the time protects the buyer not the seller. Like i said not ethical, but its entirely up to the op.

        • +2

          PayPal Buyer Protection Policy

          S9.9 If the seller presents Proof of Shipment to your address, we may find in their favour even if you did not receive the item.

          Proof of delivery is not required. The seller will provide the tracking information that shows the item was delivered to the buyer's PayPal address and that the buyer refused to accept delivery. PayPal won't refund the buyer for simply refusing the delivery, they will tell the buyer to accept the delivery.

        • @Thrift: Unfortunately paypal doesnt follow their own policy, anyone can create a proof of shipment, it doesnt prove anything.

        • +1

          @garetz: Thrift is right. Assuming the seller used a reputable courier such as DHL, AusPost, TOLL etc. They can show ebay/paypal in a dispute that they sent the item to the correct address and it wasn't received by the buyer. Also they can show that calling cards were left as AusPost and DHL have attempted delivery recipient not at home on tracking. The when the rug goes back, the seller can charge reshipping fees. Paypal does side with the buyer but only when the seller does not show proof or even contest. I am 100% sure this seller will contest. And the buyer will be in a world of pain if the seller used those ebay satchels.

        • +2

          @garetz: 'anyone can create a proof of shipment, it doesn't prove anything.'

          If you are suggesting illegally creating a false shipping manifest, the seller does not need to do that. He can win by playing it fair.

  • +24

    If it was 1 of the 3 on your short list, it cant be that bad.

    • That point didn't really click with me until you explicitly said it in your comment.

      It'll only be bad cos the missus didn't get her choice, not cos you think it's bad since it made your shortlist! :P

    • Reminded of me of this TED talk. In a week or two you might even like it better!

      https://youtu.be/4q1dgn_C0AU?t=9m32s

  • +1

    Seller cant wait to ship the expensive rug, he finally closed the sale!

  • +6

    He must have thought he had won the lottery when you came along :)

  • I bought a rug of ebay few months back and i missed the delivery and it went to courier depo and if i had not requested a re-delivery within 10 days it would have been sent back to seller. This was printed on the delivery card they left.

    • If it's the buyer's fault that it goes back to the seller (eg, provided wrong address, missed or refused delivery) then it becomes the buyers responsibility to collect the rug or pay to have it redelivered.

  • -1

    Reject delivery

    • +1

      Lose the rug and the money.

  • +7

    "This is $1200 rug which I don’t want."… which you purchased because you were busy and in a hurry…

    …Yet you blame the shop for sending the item "but they are playing devil by not responding and going ahead with the shipment."… maybe THEY wee busy and in a hurry.

    Contact the store and ask if they will accept a return. Not accepting delivery will only mean you will be charged multiple re-delivery fees.

    The lesson learned here is that your priorities wee mixed up and you paid the price.

    • If in Australia you could just return it under Australian consumer laws.

      For change of mind?

        • +2

          If its change of mind, they store doesnt have to refund you, offer you store credit or let you exchange, unless it says so in their policy.

          only offer store credit it’s against the law

          That only applies if the item is faulty, which its not. Op is returning based on change of mind, completely different entitlements.

        • -3

          Item did not meet expectations, however his previous emails to them would conflict this angle.

        • +3

          Yep. Sorry. You have been watching The Checkout too much and misunderstood that change of mind isn't a legitimate reason for a return/exchang.

          Expectations… They ordered a rug, as described. There expectations past that don't matter.

        • +1

          @Stewardo:

          Upon checking the receipt, I realised that I purchased wrong design.

          What kind of expectation? Like expecting the wrong rug purchased to magically change to the other design? Or are you suggesting OP to scam the seller? You can't just make up new expectations, if item is as described, it doesnt matter if you expected the rug to fly.

          Please read up on your rights and entitlements.

        • +1

          I expected it to look more like the one my wife wanted me to order.

        • +2

          @Stewardo:
          Lol. Well played.

    • Congrats on not know what you're talking about. Stop misleading people as ACL doesn't cover this scenario….

  • -7

    Option 4: Be an (profanity), don't accept delivery, then do CC chargebacks - claim item never received.

    if the courier happens to leave the rug without signature = profit ! you get your $1200 and a rug that you claimed never received.

    • +4

      Well if he is going to start scamming and doing illegal things he may as well order lots of products with his credit card and then claim chagebacks on all the items. When the truck comes to deliver them, knock out the driver and take everything in the truck.

    • +4

      Please don't encourage this douchey behaviour. Selling on Ebay is hard enough as it is.

    • +1

      @phunkydude Are you suggesting illegally taking the rug and applying for a chargeback?

      • if you can read, i did say it's an option for (profanity).

        so, no i'm not suggesting anything.

  • As a giving up on EBay seller, you can return the rug without even needing a reason, although you do have one. Did you message them through their email address as the EBay messages are not reliable.

    • +3

      Clearly they are trying to force sale!

      How do you know the seller doesn't work another job during the day and simply comes home to finalise all the internet orders in the evening?

      I do understand you're not happy, but you should still try and be reasonable. The moment you click the Buy button, you should assume it's too late to change. If the seller decides to entertain your change of mind after committing to buy, then that's a bonus. If they're not willing to, then you really just have yourself to blame.

      • -4

        I know because they have mortar shop in addition to Ebay store.

        you should still try and be reasonable

        I am tyring to say they could have easily provided solution but they are ignoring messages.

        • Agree that they probably could've done something earlier, but they were under no obligation to.

          It would be a tough decision because of the price of the product - they've done their part by putting up the product for sale and they may make, say, $500 from the sale. If they turned around and allowed the cancellation of your order, they'll stand to lose that profit.

          A small and cheaper item would be much easier. But then again, if it was cheap, you probably wouldn't care either.

          btw - I didn't neg you.

        • If you knew they have a mortar shop, did you try calling them directly at the store to discuss your predicament?

        • @xuqi: They don't answer call. I left them message twice but nobody returnd call as yet.

        • @Tipu:

          What is the name of the store? Why is it a secret?

        • +2

          @smashed:

          No need to sully the reputation of a store due to a genuine customer mistake, even when they may be pricks in not assisting with a refund.

        • @bobbified: my purchase didn't end the listing because they had more than 1 piece in stocks. My purchase didn't make them to lose their watchers.

          I don't want to do dodgy stuff by not accepting delivery.

        • @xuqi:

          He isn't. People can make their own mind up.
          But the listing detail is key to how he can request a return.

          I give trying to help somebody who doesn't want help

        • @Tipu:

          Sorry to hear but as others have said the seller is probably glad to have made the sale and won't be looking to refund.

          Unless I know the seller/importer personally, carpet salesmen can be similar to car salesmen in their behavior and ruthlessness.

          Some may not sell as many but their profit margin when they sell is considerable (in you price range, not the $50-500) range.

        • Why didn't you telephone them immediately ?!

          Some people only check email once a day…

        • Sounds like one of my buyers who got furious at me for not replying at 3am in the morning and by the time I got to my ware house to check my message buyer already left like 5 different messages and getting angry. Though the seller could of checked their inbox first before processing orders, but who am I to tell another seller how to run their business.. I hate it when people tell me how to run mine when they absolutely have no idea whats going in.

    • +1

      You're the one that agreed to the sale and decided to opt out of a done deal. Stop blaming the seller that has fulfilled his obligations.

      Take responsibility and accept your expensive mistake as Paypal and Ebay will rightfully side with the seller in this.

      Stop wasting the seller's time.

  • +5

    anyone who spends $1200 on a rug, should be expelled from ozbargain

      • +8

        congratulations, you have lots of money.

        • -1

          Not necessarily, I just spend/invest carefully. The other great thing about antique carpets is no matter the worth you're not taxed when importing them.

        • +1

          @xuqi:

          careful, making money pisses alot of people here.

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