"Size Doesn't Match"... Customer Demands Refund Bringing Sand-Covered Shoes

Refund Requested for Returned Boots Full of Sand
"Refund Difficult" Refusal Met with "It's Fine If You Shake Off the Sand"

A story has been shared about a business owner struggling with a customer who is demanding a refund for shoes that show signs of use, sparking controversy.

A pair of rain boots covered in sand, returned with a refund request claiming "the size does not fit."
[Photo by Online Community]

On the 25th, a post titled "Should I refund this?" was uploaded to an online community. As of 6 p.m. on the 26th, the post had over 5,300 views and more than 100 comments, becoming a hot topic. The author, identified as A, who runs an online business, stated, "I operate a Smart Store and am also listed on open markets like Coupang."

A explained, "I mainly sell 'chest waders' worn for activities like mudflat fishing or clam digging," and added, "Usually, when a refund request comes in, the items are well-packaged, or even if the packaging plastic is torn, the product condition is good. But the condition of the returned item I received yesterday was as shown below," sharing a photo. In the photo attached by A, the soles of the returned waders are visibly dirty with sand scattered around. The protective plastic packaging was torn and missing, and the grooves on the shoe soles were filled with sand.

A said, "The reason for the return was 'the size didn't fit.' However, the soles of the returned waders had sand stuck to them, and the plastic packaging that held the product was missing," adding, "I immediately sent photos to the customer and told them that used products are difficult to refund. The customer insisted that they only tried them on, that the size didn't fit, and that the product was unused." A continued, "Since there was no packaging plastic and the sand was heavily stuck, it did not look like a new product that had only been tried on. When I said I couldn't accept the return because the product value had decreased, the customer said, 'Can't you just brush off the sand?'" and expressed frustration.

A pair of rain boots covered in sand, returned with a refund request claiming "the size does not fit."
[Photo by Online Community]

A said, "It's possible they really didn't use them. Maybe they just tried them on in the sand," but added, "They could have brushed off the sand and repackaged it neatly, but this showed a lack of sincerity. Even regular clothes can't be returned if they are stained. Yet the customer argued, 'If I didn't use it, what's the problem?'" A claimed. They continued, "When the customer said they would brush off the sand and send it back again, I told them that even if I received it again, I had already seen the sand-covered condition and felt uneasy, so I probably couldn't refund it," adding, "But the customer got angry, telling me not to cut them off and insisted I send the item first. I don't know what to do," seeking advice.

Text message sent by a customer demanding a refund for shoes covered in sand to Mr. A.
[Photo by Online Community Archive]

Later, A explained in an additional post that they sent the waders back to the customer. A said, "I wrote a polite message to contact them. The reply was somewhat polite but the content was not normal. If the purchase is confirmed, there is a high chance of malicious reviews, so I need to prepare for that as well." In the text exchange A shared, when A said, "When exchanges or returns come in, we check the product condition and if there are no issues, we fold and repackage it for resale, but honestly, this product cannot be sold to other customers," the buyer responded, "If the condition is like new when I send it back, isn't a refund possible? I really did not use it. A product that has been used would have stains on the body and shoe parts," opposing A's statement.

Netizens who read the story reacted with comments such as, "Just refunding it would be easier on your mind. Dealing with strange people makes you strange too," "Wanting a refund with that much sand on it is really shameless," "They definitely wore it and are just whining," "Used products should never be refundable. Anyone can see those are used waders," "They probably just needed it once and then sent it back," and "Refund them with all that sand on the money," among others.