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I am a collector. A few months ago, I offered an antique dress for sale on the internet to a textile dealer. I emailed several photographs of the dress to the dealer, all photos taken in daylight condition including several close-ups, showing every part of the dress. Together with this, a full written condition report of the dress was provided, stating that the dress was in good vintage condition with the usual wear and tear to be expected for a 200 year old dress; I also added that the dress was not in perfect condition and that the fabric was a bit soiled at the back on the rim part. Further to this, that a couple of button holes were sewn into the top part of the dress, not visible to the eye, as typical for such dresses. I was very detailed about the condition because I had the sensation that she was unreasonably picky and difficult, and if this wasn`t enough she ended up to be the most blatantly arrogant and nasty person I ever had the misfortune to deal with so far. I did state in two emails ''please do not expect the dress to be perfect or in mint condition, the dress is in very good vintage condition for its age as you can see from the 22 clear photos and close-ups sent''. She is supposed to be a textile dealer with years in the trade so she knew what she was buying. I realised soon after by reading her emails that she was playing a game, asking me if I was a new ''business competitor'' ?, I clearly replied that no, I am a hobbyist collector and a private occasional seller, I am not a business or a trader. I did not want to offer or accept her offer initially because I sensed that something wasn`t right, aside from her attitude and emails, but I needed the money to pay for another purchase so foolishly enough I did take her offer at the end. The offer she made was below the market price for such dresses but I agreed to sell it for the price offered, hoping that would have been fine. Sadly, I made the costly mistake of making an exception to my terms and conditions of sale, it did cost me several £££ and a great deal of time and hassle. In the UK private sellers do not have to refund the buyer unless the item was misdescribed. If you can prove that the goods sold were reasonably and correctly described, that is. Here below just a few tips for private sellers :
1) NEVER EVER offer to refund the buyer if you do not have to ! Unless you are ok to refund, do not offer returns/refunds just because some others do so, it doesn`t mean you have to do the same, remember you are not a business or a trader and as a private seller you have much less obligations under UK law. Make sure to inform the potential buyer in writing that you are a private seller, you are not going to accept returns, your sale is 'as is' and final. Offer to the potential buyer to see the goods in person (if you can) and state this in writing. If you cannot offer this option, make sure to send plenty of photos to the buyer explaining in writing any faults on the goods if any. 2) Don`t be inpatient. Be very careful when you choose your potential buyer, selling to the wrong buyer can cost you a LOT of money and time. If you sense that your buyer could be wasting your time, then follow your instinct and don`t sell to that person. Better being safe than sorry. 3) Make sure you have a terms and conditions sheet to send to the buyer by email or by post before accepting their payment, also make sure you have proof (an email for example) that the buyer has understood your terms of sale. 4) Keep your evidence ready at all times. Normally most sales go smoothly but it is not always the case so be prepared. Keep the emails you receive or you have sent as evidence, including receipts, papers etc. 5) Do not change your asking price or terms of sale under any circumstances. For example, do not offer to refund the buyer if this is not part of your terms and conditions of sale as a private seller. If the buyer really wishes to buy your goods, they will do so anyway without you going the extra mile, potentially sending you into the trap of a forced refund/return.
1) NEVER EVER offer to refund the buyer if you do not have to ! Unless you are ok to refund, do not offer returns/refunds just because some others do so, it doesn`t mean you have to do the same, remember you are not a business or a trader and as a private seller you have much less obligations under UK law. Make sure to inform the potential buyer in writing that you are a private seller, you are not going to accept returns, your sale is 'as is' and final. Offer to the potential buyer to see the goods in person (if you can) and state this in writing. If you cannot offer this option, make sure to send plenty of photos to the buyer explaining in writing any faults on the goods if any. 2) Don`t be inpatient. Be very careful when you choose your potential buyer, selling to the wrong buyer can cost you a LOT of money and time. If you sense that your buyer could be wasting your time, then follow your instinct and don`t sell to that person. Better being safe than sorry. 3) Make sure you have a terms and conditions sheet to send to the buyer by email or by post before accepting their payment, also make sure you have proof (an email for example) that the buyer has understood your terms of sale. 4) Keep your evidence ready at all times. Normally most sales go smoothly but it is not always the case so be prepared. Keep the emails you receive or you have sent as evidence, including receipts, papers etc. 5) Do not change your asking price or terms of sale under any circumstances. For example, do not offer to refund the buyer if this is not part of your terms and conditions of sale as a private seller. If the buyer really wishes to buy your goods, they will do so anyway without you going the extra mile, potentially sending you into the trap of a forced refund/return.
