Earlier this week, I was browsing eBay and found a really nice looking Kinfolk's Blue Steel Special. The price was reasonable and it looked to be in really nice condition. By really nice, I mean it was in used condition but looked to be very well cared for.

I really like my current Kinfolk's razor so I decided I'd buy. It was a buy-it-now auction so I jumped on it.

The item arrived yesterday and I was really excited to open it, hone it, and give it a try. The only problem was... when I opened it, it was not even close to being in the condition pictured and described in the auction.

I looked over the seller's photo, comparing to the item I received and it's just indisputable that it's not the same razor. If I were to guess, the razor pictured is 6/8. It is a square point, no rust, etc, and the scales seem perfect. The razor I actually received is a 5/8 round point and the scales are that ugly faded yellow color with dark stains all over. The blade itself isn't bad but has some issues around the bevel. (basically, not a razor I'd of bought if the photo was correct)

Next, I actually "googled" Kinfolk's Blue Steel Special and found the exact photo from the auction listed on another website. Obviously the seller was too lazy to take a photo and decided that since the razors had the same markings, it was okay to use a "stock photo."

After finding this, I contacted the seller and asked for a refund (auction was listed as no returns accepted). He tells me if it's returned in the same condition, he'll refund my money. So my question was... how do I prove this? If the item I received isn't the item pictured, how can I prove that I sent it back in the same condition? (also, looking at his feedback, someone in the past left neutral feedback because the guy promised a refund after a return and it was never issued)


So, if it were you in this situation, how would you proceed? I only paid $30 for the item so it's not that I'll be broke if I return the item and never get my refund, but ideally, I'd like to have my refund before I send it back. After all, it was the seller who was deceiving, and it isn't just that I decided I didn't want the item for no legitimate reason.