Ebay wont refund me for an item I never got?

[Anonymous]

I recently purchased a $1200 camera body off a seller and the package ended up being marked as returned to sender and then as missing with an ongoing investigation to locate the package. I recently requested Ebay to step into the situation and they sent me an email indicating that I would receive a refund in the next 24-48 hours. Fast forward, I never received the refund and they denied my appeal stating that the package was available for pickup at my local USPS even though the tracking specifically shows that it was returned to sender and then marked as missing. I proceeded to appeal the denial but they immediately got back to me and stated that they are siding with the seller even though I never received the package and the tracking states that it is lost. Aren't lost packages supposed to be covered in the Ebay Money Back Guarantee??? Can someone help me out, this is extremely frustrating and since I purchased the item via paypal, I have filed a chargeback with them and I am awaiting a result. Thank you! Please leave some advice for me!!!!

[bonjourami]

Your best bet is if you paid with a cc, try for a chargeback,since your appeal failed.

[12345jamesstamps]

Did you ever go and see if package was there to pick up at the USPS? I would never go by online tracking or by a phone conversation. Package being returned could be a refusal to accept. Just my opinion. Tracking online doesn't always show what is happening. I would have gone into the USPS and see if it is there. Package probably needed a signature which is why it got returned. I don't think it is lost. Takes time to update a return package. I would have waited to see what is happening before doing the chargeback. This is just a thought...refusal to pick up package and doing an appeal is probably why it is taking longer. Watch to see if you get charged an additional $20. for doing the appeal...by eBay(bank). 

As far as a debit or credit card chargeback I would do it online as a dispute. Going in person to bank or doing it by phone can be complicated....and online is easy with a refund maybe in two weeks. A bank as a courtesy will do a chargeback in one billing cycle. If you have numerous others with your banking that could be a problem...such as disputes with Doordash, Amazon, Etsy, Uber and so on.

[Anonymous]

I see, yes i did end up going to the usps office in my city on three different days. I even spoke to the usps supervisor and he said that they could not locate it. Thanks for the advice.

[12345jamesstamps]

Could be in transit still but not lost.

[kathiec]

Watch to see if you get charged an additional $20. for doing the appeal...by eBay(bank). 

EBay doesn't charge buyers for appeals or credit card disputes. They do, however, pass along to the seller any penalties levied by a card issuer for a disputed transaction. But it's never something buyers need to worry about.

[mudshark61369]

@Anonymous,

What has happened to you if the package was almost immediately returned by the P.O. to the seller is a scam.  There is not much ebay can do to help you, because of the "Returned to seller" notice on the tracking info.  What you would have to do is go back to the P.O. with a copy of your order details, and the missing package claim. 

Ask the clerk to:

1) Check the shipping label address to see if it was your address.

 2) Check the package type/size/weight to see if it was appropriate for the camera body. You can get that info by searching for the Mfr's. specifications on their site, even for much older bodies.

3) Check when the return to seller was initiated. The scammers will authorize that almost as soon as it arrives in your local facility.

If you find that the package was not addressed to you or the package info wasn't right for what it should have been Ex: an envelope weighing a few ounces, and lastly if the return request was filed before the package was Out for delivery.  Ask the clerk to write those things in the note in general. Ex: the label address was not the one on the order form. The package type/weight was not right for the item ordered... Have the clerk sign and date the note.

Because you lost the appeal, you can try contacting ebay through their Facebook or Twitter social media sites (links below)   First give the seller's username, and the 12 digit (no hyphens) ebay item number. explain what happened also that you lost the dispute and appeal, and attach a Clear photo or scan of the note them you have a note from the USPS giving information proving the address was wrong, the package wasn't right and that the seller requested return before it could be delivered. sign the message giving your real and ebay usernames.  Those reps are ebay employees and are familiar with the various scams. They can also initiate a refund.

If you do not use social media you can try contacting your credit card provider, using the number on the back of your card. again explain what happened, tell them you would like to do a charge back, and let them know you have a note from the USPS. They should be able to tell you how to send the note to them, probably as an email attachment.  With that info they should agree to to cancel the payment.

[varebelrose]

The OP stated that he has filed a case with Paypal, so there is nothing eBay can or will do for him at this point.