Concerned about refund
Summary: chris-569209 experienced issues with a PC purchase on eBay, where the item was received broken and returned to the seller. Despite having their case approved and receiving a refund, the FedEx package was unexpectedly sent back to chris-569209 after the seller repeatedly refused to pick it up. chris-569209 is concerned the seller might attempt to return the refund, fearing potential claims that they kept the item. stainlessenginecovers reassured them that once a refund is granted, the seller cannot rescind it. Another participant, 12345jamesstamps, questioned the timeframe and logistics, leading chris-569209 to clarify the situation. They emphasized their reluctance to accept the item to avoid any misconceptions about keeping it and potentially losing the refund.
Hey everyone,
I recently bought a PC on eBay and it was broken upon arrival, so I returned it to the seller and requested a refund. For anonymity, let's say his name is John. However, the seller refused to pick up the package multiple times. I created a case with eBay and showed them email receipts of the package being successfully brought to the seller's address and them not being present to sign and receive it. This has happened at least 4 times. My case was approved and I got my refund so I was fine even if the seller didn't want to sign and receive it.
Now, all of a sudden, fast forward a week later, I get a call from a FedEx driver saying they're at my place looking for a "John," I said I'm not John but later called them back because I realized the name of the seller was also John. Apparently, the package containing the returned PC was re-sent back to me for some reason. I refused the package over the phone and apologized to the FedEx driver. However, now I'm scared for two reasons: (1) why was the package resent to me? I got no email notifications like I usually do with FedEx about this package being delivered to me. I also never even asked or contacted FedEx at all to return the package to me so how did this happen? (2) Will the seller try and use this instance to go to eBay and say "Oh, he got a refund, but look, he kept the item, so you should cancel his refund and give me back my money".
I thought this whole ordeal was over once I got my refund and the case was closed, but now I have this to worry about. The seller has also been uncooperative and making excuses every single time as to why he can't pick up the package. Is my refund safe? This is a PC so it's a large sum of money that I cannot tolerate losing.
Thank you for anyone who took the time to read this over, I really need help and also how I can contact an official eBay customer support person about this.
12345jamesstamps
·Jun 24, 2026 at 4:06 PMThis all happened in a period of 24 days?
Item is shipped to you...item is returned to seller...item sits waiting to be picked up by seller...item then gets return to you.
If seller refuse to accept it is returned to you.
'This has happened at least 4 times'...not sure what this relates to...
'I get a call from FedEx'...never heard anyone getting a call from FedEx about a delivery.
Why a buyer wouldn't accept the item back since the seller did not pick it up is strange to me.
'He kept the item'...in a period of 24 days all this happened?
Maybe I am reading this all wrong.
chris-569209
OPJun 24, 2026 at 4:35 PM · EditedUh, sure I can try explaining your messages one by one.
1) I don't think I mentioned it taking 24 days anywhere? I do know that the package arrived at the seller's doorstep for the first time around one week ago.
2) Yeah, I think I understand now why the package was sent back to me, it's because the seller refused to pick it up too many times.
3) "This happened at least 4 times" refers to the seller being absent/refusing to sign the package to receive it 4 times total (I should've phrased it better). In other words, the FedEx delivery people came to the seller's address 4 times to drop off the package and get a signature and all 4 times, the seller was not present to do so. They even left slips to sign for drop-off instead, but I have to guess none of them were signed in time because the package was then returned to me.
4) There are phone numbers attached to FedEx shipping labels. I think the FedEx driver saw my phone number on there and called me since no one was responding at my house (I was at work when this happened).
5) I don't want to accept the item back because I'm afraid the seller will use this as an excuse to say to eBay "Oh, how come you refunded him and he still gets to keep the item?" In some sense, it can be interpreted that I get the item for free which may prompt eBay to take back my refund.
6) The FedEx driver is who I referred to "He" when I said "He kept the item". This means I refused the driver who was trying to deliver me the package so as a result, "He kept the item" and will probably keep it at the FedEx office or try delivery again sometime. Again, at the time the driver called me, I was concerned that in accepting the package, something could happen (like the event I describe in point 5).
7) Again, I don't know where the 24 days thing came from, maybe I wrote something confusing, apologies. Anyways, the time frame is that this whole ordeal happened around a week ago (7 days ago).
Hope this answers your questions! Let me know your thoughts.
stainlessenginecovers
·Jun 24, 2026 at 3:35 PMWhat does the original tracking show? If 'delivered- waiting for pickup' etc. then the seller got it (whether they returned to you are not or didn't pick up is NOT your problem);
Then, return to the return case and click the 'escalate to ebay' and be prepared to give the tracking number.
chris-569209
OPJun 24, 2026 at 3:48 PMThe original tracking shows "Delivery was refused by the recipient (the seller) since the order was canceled. We'll connect with the shipper about next steps."
My return case was already closed, I unfortunately can't contact eBay support anymore about this purchase. Again, I did get my refund already. I am just concerned about any loopholes the seller might play to rescind my refund.
chris-569209
OPJun 24, 2026 at 3:49 PMThanks for responding by the way, I appreciate it :')
stainlessenginecovers
·Jun 24, 2026 at 3:51 PMThere's no way for a seller to 'rescind so don't worry. Simply not possible once completed.