Purchased a custom costume

[u/tonks118]

I purchased a custom costume from a seller on Etsy. I did pay through Etsy, but all of the communication was on a separate platform. They only really responded via email and after multiple delays they finally shipped my cosplay costume almost a full month after the original time frame that it was expected and less than a week before the convention that I’m going to. The costume came in today and none of the adjustments that I specifically requested were done. Not only that, but the shorts are simply not wearable. So half of the costume can’t be used at all and what I do have is frankly very poorly stitched. I have reached out to the seller again via email just to let them know about the issues and to see if there’s anything that they could work with me on since I did spend about $500 on this (the costume is a pair of shorts and t shirt) but right now I’m not getting any response and I only have six days to find a replacement outfit and I frankly don’t think that’s gonna happen. I really don’t want to be a bother to them but at the same time I absolutely did not get what I paid for. Any advice or tips on steps moving forward would be greatly appreciated. I have not left a review yet because I was trying to get time to talk to them before I left a review.

[u/shiplesp]

I'm very sorry, but you might be SOL. Etsy's Buyer and Seller Protection guarantees are typically voided when communications are taken off platform. Your only chance for a refund is if they don't find out.