Sead return now has a restocking deduction

I only buy stock already in the EU and thought I had made the terms plain enough this time. I ordered a 126200 Datejust from Sead / SuperMirrors for EUR 400 to 450, paying by bank transfer on 3 August. Before payment I asked whether an unworn return would be accepted if the dial colour was materially different from the photographs. The reply was that I could return it, with postage at my expense. It arrived on the 8th and the dial was sufficiently different that I requested that return the same evening.

I sent it back on the 11th, untouched apart from checking it, and delivery was recorded on the 14th. Now the proposed refund has a EUR 60 restocking deduction as well as the original postage being withheld. I can find no mention of that fee in our correspondence. I have asked for the message or term that I accepted, rather than another explanation that returning watches costs time. No refund has arrived and the answer so far is simply that this is the usual deduction. I am not disputing the return postage I expressly agreed to pay. I am disputing a separate charge introduced after the watch was already back. The watch and the whole payment are currently with Sead while we argue about sixty euros.

I prefer smaller dealers because the conversation can be clearer, but it only works if the actual terms are written down. Your pre-payment question sounds specific. Save the complete exchange, including whatever came immediately before the answer about postage. A cropped sentence can leave both sides arguing about context for days.

Has he said whether accepting the undisputed amount would close the dispute over the deduction? I would ask that before agreeing to any partial refund wording. I learned to read those messages very slowly after my bad purchase. It is frustrating when the disagreement becomes about a fee nobody mentioned at the start.