I received an item from a different brand than what I ordered on Amazon. The seller is telling me I have to pay return shipping because it's not a product defect but an "order error". Am I really obliged to pay to send back something they messed up and sent me by mistake?
No, you shouldn't have to pay. If you received an item different from what you ordered, that's a mistake on the seller's or Amazon's part, not yours, so the return should be free - it's clearly covered by the terms of sale and consumer protection. Contact Amazon directly (not just the seller) and explain that you received a different brand, and ask for a free return; normally they back down pretty quickly in these situations because it's the e-commerce company that covers the costs when it's their mistake.
The seller is clearly trying to rip you off! If you ordered a specific item and they sent you something else, that's their mistake, not yours. Amazon has super clear rules about this: returns for order errors have to be free, otherwise you can escalate directly with Amazon customer service and they'll back you up. Don't agree to pay, just insist politely but firmly!
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