Let's say that you purchase an item on gear swap or some other online site based on the description from the seller. You pay the cost of the item plus shipping. When it arrives the item is not what the seller described; not a minor discrepancy but a major difference. You, seller and buyer, agree on this point and on the return. What is your opinion on:

A) should you expect a refund on the shipping cost you paid?
B) who should pay the return shipping?

Say I am the seller and the buyer just wrote to complain that what he got was materially different from what I purported (fictitious example here of course) and If we are in agreement about this, then I would:

1. Apologize.
2. Paypal a full refund -- including seller's cost to ship the thing back to me. Seller shouldn't be out a penny if my sale description was materially different.

Agree with Ben. I have a feeling there are few disputes, especially if you purchase from "well known" members. I see a lot of offering with specific information on any defects. Seems like Gear Swap works very well most of the time.

Another agree.

It would seem weird for someone to list an item with an inaccurate description, then willingly acknowledge the discrepancy. Unless it was an honest fluke.

I would do that to. I rarely sell anything online and when I do, I make sure that I tell of anything that I would notice or object to myself. If they are not happy, I would rather have the item back to sell to someone else that likes it. $10 shipping is a small price to pay rather than have someone angry with you.