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Pet food
Does eBay allow pet food to be sold nearly 2 years after its Best Use date?
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Discussions in this board are limited to the original poster and Community Mentors
Does eBay allow pet food to be sold nearly 2 years after its Best Use date?
josrepp78
OP9 months agoDear Inceptions,
Thank you very much for your helpful guidance in this matter.
inceptions
Mentor9 months ago@josrepp78
You're very welcome!
inceptions
Mentor9 months agoHi @josrepp78
eBay does not allow food products to be sold that are past their expiration dates. Here's a link to the policy:
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/shipping-insurance?id=4643&st=3&pos=1&query=Shipping%20insurance&intent=insurance%20claim&lucenceai=lucenceai&docId=HELP1339
If you received an item that is expired, do this...
If you received an item that is not as described, you have up to 30 days to open a return using the option next to the transaction in your Purchase History. The seller will have 3 business days to provide a prepaid return shipping label or else refund. If he does neither, go back to the case on day 4 and use the option to ask eBay to step in. They will force the refund.
josrepp78
OP9 months agoHi Inceptions,
Thank you for your prompt reply. Here's the situation:
1. I placed an order for a bag of dog food, which was listed as "NEW."
2. I did not initially notice in the item description near the bottom of the page that the Best Use date was May 2024.
3. I contacted the seller the next day to confirm that the May 2024 date was not a typo. Perhaps they meant to type 2026. After all, no reasonable person would ever think that someone would actually try to sell food so old that it is likely rancid and could sicken a dog.
4. The seller confirmed the May 2024 date was accurate, so I asked her to cancel my order.
5. A Fedex tracking number has been created, but the package has not been received by Fedex.
6. The seller tried to convince me that the food would be fine to give to my dog. I told her that her statement was contrary to FDA and USDA guidelines.
7. The seller then then said she does not accept returns.
8. I advised the seller about eBay's food policy, and she responded by saying it does not apply to pets.
9. The seller says she clearly accurately listed the item and Best Use date in accordance with eBay guidelines.
10. The seller then told me that she discussed the situation with an eBay sales help person, who advised her it was OK to sell this long expired food and she was under no obligation to cancel my order.
At the moment, I do not have the option to initiate a return. It tells me that it is too soon. And I also have a seller who does not accept returns. Technically, this is not a return. I simply want to cancel the order. Should I report this to eBay? Any further advice would be appreciated. I also want to point out that I have a good reputation as a buyer. I have bought many items on eBay, and I have never returned anything or had this kind of a problem with a seller.
inceptions
Mentor9 months agoHi @josrepp78
There is no need to go back and forth with the seller on this. The item is not "new" if it's expired. Food is food.
Of course you cannot open a return for an item you don't have. You can open a return once you receive the item following the instructions I gave you previously.
You can also report the seller for selling expired pet food here:
https://www.ebay.com/help/action?topicid=4022