Preorder marked shipped months before release — now outside INR window. Any way to obtain manual eBay review?
Summary: theologue is seeking advice on how to obtain a manual review by eBay for a transaction involving a comic preorder that was marked as shipped prematurely. Despite contacting the seller multiple times, the item remains unshipped after its release. theologue mentions that the automated system closed the claim window prematurely due to an incorrect shipping date. kathiec, kensgiftshop, and eburtonlab advise that since the listing did not comply with eBay's presale policies and the buyer protection window has expired, the remaining option is to pursue the issue with the card issuer. Links to relevant eBay policies are shared, emphasizing the importance of acting within eBay's claim timeframes.
I am looking for guidance on reaching eBay for manual review of an unusual preorder transaction.
I purchased and paid for a comic preorder on May 30, 2026. The seller’s listing stated that the item would not release until September and would normally ship 5–7 business days after release.
Despite that, eBay marked the order “Shipped: Untracked” with an estimated delivery date of June 4–10.
On September 5, after I questioned the shipping status, the seller confirmed through eBay Messages that the item had not shipped and stated that it would be sent after release. The book was ultimately released September 16, but it still has not shipped. My follow-up messages on September 22, September 29, and October 2 have gone unanswered.
The problem is that eBay’s automated Item Not Received system now says the claim window is closed because it relies on the June delivery date — even though the seller later confirmed that no June shipment occurred.
I have already submitted a seller-policy report, but that process does not appear to provide transaction relief or access to a live representative. The order is now older than 90 days, so eBay’s contact system will not let me select it or reach an agent.
Is there any legitimate way to obtain manual review by eBay of an older transaction where the shipment date that triggered the deadline was demonstrably incorrect?
I am also pursuing the matter with my card issuer, but I would still like eBay to review the transaction and, if possible, restore my ability to leave feedback.
theologue
OP1 week agoThank you for the responses. A few clarifications may be useful. I am aware that the seller—not eBay—marked the order “shipped”; my wording was intentionally neutral. The significance is that the seller later confirmed in eBay Messages that the item had not in fact shipped. I also have not opened a credit-card chargeback; I merely contacted my card issuer and was directed to its Dispute Team. Finally, my concern about the seller’s conduct is not based solely on this transaction. A recent negative reviewer described materially similar treatment and stated that two other buyers had reported the same experience. I do not claim to know the seller’s intent, but that apparent pattern is why I submitted a seller-policy report to eBay. I appreciate the confirmation that the listing itself violated eBay’s 40-business-day presale rule and that my remaining financial remedy is likely through my card issuer.
eburtonlab
·1 week agoeBay's US presale policy is here:
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/presale-listings-policy?id=4252
Sellers of presale items are required to provide the exact date the item becomes available in the listing and are also required to ship within 40 business days of the sale. But buyers must know about the policy in order to use the Money Back Guarantee in the time allowed.
On eBay, buyers have up to thirty days from the last estimated delivery date shown at the time of purchase to file a case. After that, eBay can no longer help.
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...
PayPal and many credit cards provide some protection for up to 180 days from the time of purchase. Check with your card issuer to see if you have any options remaining. Once your credit card protection expires your options are limited.
kensgiftshop
·1 week ago"Despite that, eBay marked the order “Shipped: Untracked” with an estimated delivery date of June 4–10"
No, Ebay didn't mark it shipped, the seller did so they wouldn't get a defect from Ebay.
Since you let the MBG expire, there's nothing Ebay will do to help you.
Contact your payment source and see if they can do anything.
kathiec
·1 week ago@theologue
EBay won't help, because the listing didn't comply with its rules for presales, which specify that a presale must be shipped within 40 days of the sale date. Even if they were willing to help, you closed that door when you involved your card issuer. Your only recourse now is to continue with that chargeback. There is no way to leave feedback.