Jesper
Wore out three sets of tires already!
I recently acquired a new bike on trade and wanted to see if I could find a nice saddle for it (bike was complete sans saddle and pedals).
I do not use ebay except in rare cases, but I figured I would check it out. Bingo, a perfect NOS saddle at a reasonable price; Bassano leather saddle with Fondriest embroidered logos and manufactured in January 1998 for a '97-'98 Fondriest X Status.
I really don't have any "newer" bikes so I didn't think much about the listing when it stated that the saddle was leather covered. I am familiar with most older saddles and know which are leather or not, and I have Bassano saddles of earlier manufacture which are leather covered so I bought it without any thought.
The saddle arrived and is mint condition (as is the bike!), but upon inspection I discovered that the cover is cloth reinforced vinyl or whatever synthetic stuff they used. I have no problem with the fact that it is not leather, only that it was misrepresented and could have been easily discerned by the seller, who given his experience (long time ebay seller, European, only sells vintage bikes) should know better than to go by looks alone. I relied on his knowledge to properly list the item and I am glad this item was not for a client since I would have looked like a fool should I have sold it as a leather saddle myself.
At this time I have asked for a partial refund (10% off cost) since I would still use the saddle as it is, but I hate the fact that I now have to spend more time on ebay, wait for seller response, and monitor my account to ensure refund is indeed received.
Moral of this is to ask the seller, unless you are absolutely sure or do not care, to physically verify and if possible provide a photo to prove whether an item is real leather or is some type of synthetic "leather" material. If I can do it (see photo) than so can the seller.
I do not use ebay except in rare cases, but I figured I would check it out. Bingo, a perfect NOS saddle at a reasonable price; Bassano leather saddle with Fondriest embroidered logos and manufactured in January 1998 for a '97-'98 Fondriest X Status.
I really don't have any "newer" bikes so I didn't think much about the listing when it stated that the saddle was leather covered. I am familiar with most older saddles and know which are leather or not, and I have Bassano saddles of earlier manufacture which are leather covered so I bought it without any thought.
The saddle arrived and is mint condition (as is the bike!), but upon inspection I discovered that the cover is cloth reinforced vinyl or whatever synthetic stuff they used. I have no problem with the fact that it is not leather, only that it was misrepresented and could have been easily discerned by the seller, who given his experience (long time ebay seller, European, only sells vintage bikes) should know better than to go by looks alone. I relied on his knowledge to properly list the item and I am glad this item was not for a client since I would have looked like a fool should I have sold it as a leather saddle myself.
At this time I have asked for a partial refund (10% off cost) since I would still use the saddle as it is, but I hate the fact that I now have to spend more time on ebay, wait for seller response, and monitor my account to ensure refund is indeed received.
Moral of this is to ask the seller, unless you are absolutely sure or do not care, to physically verify and if possible provide a photo to prove whether an item is real leather or is some type of synthetic "leather" material. If I can do it (see photo) than so can the seller.