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Buyer Not paying for return shipping for defective item and no option for ebay to intervene
Summary: kenlou42 shared their frustration about purchasing an item that was not as described, and the subsequent issues faced with the seller regarding return shipping costs. They expressed difficulty in understanding eBay's policies and were unable to have eBay intervene after the 30-day period. comics-scifi-collectibles and mudshark61369 provided advice on eBay’s return policies and the correct steps to follow in future disputes. kenlou42 acknowledged understanding the procedures better now but expressed disappointment in eBay’s handling of their case, advising caution to other buyers.
Hello. I purchased an item that was not as described. The seller asked me to return the item paying for shipping which I did bu USPS. Buyer said it aid less to send it so I wrote the buyer I would settle for the amount the buyer paid to ship it. . Now the seller will not refund my shipping costs. Ebay issued the refund before the refund was not issued (before the 30 days were up) and there is not option to ask ebay to step in. The item was listed as being covered by the ebay satisfaction guarantee which said ebay would refund the shipping cost if the item was not as described or defective. I offered the seller to
send me the item that was not defective but the seller is refusing to do that. The AI chat bot said I had until October 7th (2 weeks from now) but I dont' see any option to contact ebay to intervene.
mudshark61369
Mentor2 weeks ago@kenlou42 ,
"I purchased an item that was not as described. The seller asked me to return the item paying for shipping which I did bu USPS... The item was listed as being covered by the ebay satisfaction guarantee which said ebay would refund the shipping cost if the item was not as described or defective ".
You really should have proof read your post. I got confused trying to figure out who the buyer & seller were for awhile, and what eBay has supposedly done.
You should have read the terms of eBay's Money Back Guarantee. When you receive a defective item you go to your purchase history click on the More Actions button, choose Return Item then select a reason from the list that opens "Item defective" in that case. then follow through to file the dispute. The seller would have had 3 days to respond by either sending you a return shipping label or issuing a full refund. If they did neither, said you had to buy the label or made excuses. On the 4th day after filing you could have opened the dispute and clicked on the Ask eBay to step in button, and you would have received a full refund. Open the link below.
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy?id=4210
"Ebay issued the refund before the refund was not issued (before the 30 days were up) and there is not option to ask ebay to step in".
You really need to open the link above. If eBay issued you a refund that was the end of the story, they took the money from the seller's account. The 30 day limit has nothing to do with when a refund is issued. It is how long after an item is received, that you have to file a dispute.
kenlou42
OP2 weeks agoThanks. I don't know why ebay issued the refund without the seller paying for shipping and closed the case while I was requesting a refund for shipping. Buyer beware when ebay can close a case without requiring the seller to pay for return shipping while discussions still going on during the 30 day return period. Lesson learned the hard way. Ebay satisfaction guarantee that includes return shipping for items not as described or defective is useless. Looks like I will not buy from ebay expecting them to honor their warranty. Doess that make sense? They kept telling me to contact the seller instead of helping. Thanks again. Buyer beware!!!
kenlou42
OP2 weeks agoThank you for any advice you can give.
comics-scifi-collectibles
Mentor2 weeks ago@kenlou42 Unfortunately you did not follow the steps required for an eBay return request case. You MUST ask eBay to step in and help no later than 21 days after opening the case if the seller has not provided a return shipping label or a full refund.
eBay has no way to make a seller refund you for than the original sale price and outbound shipping. eBay can not force a seller to refund you for return shipping that you willingly paid. A seller has no way within eBay to refund you MORE than the original sale amount.
This is how a return case works, in case you need to file a return in the future>>
The eBay Money Back Guarantee over rules the sellers return policy. You have 30 days from the date of delivery to file a not as described return request for most categories. Trading cards, bullion, coins, paper money, and items that are sold as not working or for parts you only have 3 days from the date of delivery to file a refund request case.
Here's what you need to do:
You should open a Return Request. Reason> Doesn't Match photos and description
Select the return item button on this page:
https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/returns-refunds/return-item-refund?id=4041&st=
4 business days after filing the return request if the seller has not provided a return shipping label or a full refund then ask eBay to step in and help: https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/returns-refunds/ask-ebay-to-step-in?id=4701
Let me know if you need to return an item to another country as there are additional steps required. The seller pays return shipping for an item that is not as described no matter where they are located.
kenlou42
OP2 weeks agoThank you for responding. The seller required that I return the item before issuing a refund. Buyer implied it would not offer a refund until I returned it. As you stated I should have opened a case before the matter was closed. Lesson learned. Thanks again/
comics-scifi-collectibles
Mentor2 weeks ago@kenlou42 Sorry you learned this the hard way. If the seller wants their defective item back before refunding then THEY pay return shipping by providing a return shipping label.
kenlou42
OP2 weeks agoThank you for responding and clarifying. Lesson learned. Thanks again.