I received an item which is not in the condition listed

[gayo6204]

I responded to an ad for a mint (never played) condition Vinyl LP, with the sleeve in very good to excellent condition. I asked the seller for the issue date, and after a few tries got a 1-2 word answer. I made the purchase.

When the vinyl album arrived, it came in a dilapidated sleeve, part of the inner sleeve was missing (as per photos in listing) and the vinyl itself was visibly scratched...to the point I still haven't played it on my equipment.'

My first reaction was to contact the seller and note that I thought I received the wrong item. Seller responded suggesting it was exactly what I ordered. When I mentioned I had been deceived, seller asked me to return it. As I was checking into custom duties, and return costs, I realized it would cost me as much as I originally paid, all over again. Seller offered a partial refund. Then a full refund, but keep the item. Okay. But then seller fell off the radar. I made other attempts to contact the seller...no response and no refund. I gave a poor rating on the site, but I'm not sure what benefit that will have. Any suggestions on how I can bring the seller out of hiding?

[rfmtm]

Open a Return Request for an ITEM NOT AS DESCRIBED. Seller will pay for the return or advance funds for postage (do not pay with your funds), if he wants it back, and/or refund. If no response by the fourth day, go back and ask ebay to step in. Do not close or let the case expire without doing this, if not resolved.

If seller is no longer on ebay, file for a refund through the payment processor.

[disneyshopper]

Go to My ebay > Purchase History and select RETURN THIS ITEM. You have up to 30 days from receipt of the item. Select a reason. For Not as Described, you will need to click on More actions. The seller will have 3 days to reply. If no reply, then click the link to Ask ebay to step in. Print out the label, affix it to the box, and make sure the carrier scans the label. Once tracking shows DELIVERED back to the seller, s/he has 2 days to refund you. If no refund, go back to the case and click Ask ebay to step in, to force the refund.

If the seller is in another country s/he cannot send a shipping label good in the USA. S/he will have to send you enough funds, via Paypal, to cover the cost of return shipping. The other option is the seller refunds your full payment and does not require return of the item. Wait until day 4 for the seller to respond. If no response or refund, go back to the request on day 4 and click Ask ebay to help you, to force the refund.

If it has been more than 30 days since receipt of the item, file a Returns Request with Paypal if that is how you paid. Paypal accepts cases within 180 days from the transaction. As a last resort, contact your credit card issuer if that is how you paid.