Seller Willing to Refund But He's Locked Out Of System
Summary: glasshounds shared their experience of purchasing a Roseville Mostique planter that arrived broken due to inadequate packaging. Despite promises from the seller to refund, the absence of the broken item has complicated the return process. tobaccocardyahoo and others advised that retaining the item is crucial for refunds and insurance claims. kalyoth suggested returning paperwork as a formality, while glasshounds considered disputing the charge. The discussion reflects frustration with the seller's handling and the challenges of resolving the issue via eBay.
I purchased a large 110 year old Roseville Mostique planter from seller. It arrived with no packing material and was broken into 4 pieces. I knew it was broken because I could hear it rattling around when we picked it up from Post Office. I immediately sent pictures of the broken planter to the seller and he said he would refund me immediately. I threw the item away because it was worthless and not safe having pottery shards lying around. At first he offered just the price of the vase without tax and shipping because he said I could go thru the post office and get the 100.00 insurance. But he didn't tell me that until I declined the offer of just the price of the planter. Now we are stuck with a return item and a return shipping label with nothing to ship. He is willing to refund me the full amount but he says he's locked out of the system. I told him I could just send him an empty box but I don't want him to pay for that (shipping was 52.99) and he said not to do that anyway. Ebay ai is of no help whatsoever and it's been 7 days since the return was generated. I can't reach a live agent. Anybody have a solution?
glasshounds
OP3 weeks agoThanks everybody. I probably wouldn't have thrown it away if he hadn't said he would refund me immediately. I mean, he said this after he saw the pictures. I haven't had items refunded before but I sure wouldn't think a seller would want to pay 52.99 for the return of a large broken planter. I may still dispute the charge with my credit card company. BTW, the return was initiated 7 days ago. I paid $219.74. He didn't put any packing paper around the planter or even write Fragile on the outside. This is just not right.
kalyoth
·3 weeks agoShip the paperwork! Once you dispute - ebay closes, you still need to provide evidence of a return for the dollar amount. I've never had a CC state free $200 no return evidence.
kalyoth
·3 weeks ago · EditedPut the label on a shipping envelope & a printout of the paperwork mentioning the item & a refund inside it & ship it ASAP. All you now have is the honor of the seller to follow through once its received. There is no locking out of the system occurring. A process was initiated with steps. Each of those steps must now be completed or consequence occurs where the system closes the case for failure to perform.
To address the claim: only the shipper can file the claim with USPS as they are the party paid. I have gone through this process several times in the past year. No buyer can do it. They can participate - but not initiate nor be paid directly. It is an act independent of a refund - it is an insurance requirement & a seller business expense issue. It also comes into play with the actual carrier shipper interaction with the agents now in use with contracts to USPS or other carriers.
I hope the date has not passed yet.
kensgiftshop
·3 weeks agoSince you threw it away, not much you can do.
You have nothing to return and there's nothing for the seller to file an insurance claim with USPS.
simba6
·3 weeks agoWhy did you throw it away? If you want a refund, you have to give back the item. Per eBay rules your out of luck. You could cancel the eBay case and hope they refund you but, they are not required to. Always keep the item , box and packing until the case handled.
tobaccocardyahoo
·3 weeks agoDisposing of a broken shipment without having received a refund was an unforced error.
Shipping back the broken item or holding it for possible inspection by the shipping carrier is often necessary.
No live Ebay agent is going to help you with this problem, it is beyond their responsibility and training and whatever they would tell you would be their personal opinion.
I am sure some other poster will tell you to return something, anything with the label, and that would be an opinion.
If you ship an empty box using a return label provided by Ebay, I believe the seller will be changed the weight of the empty box.