Need help with "Item Not As Described" issue & seller not responding to my messages :'( :'( :'(

[midwestdistributors]

I purchased an item in excess of $100 dollars and the item sent by the seller was "not as described."  I messaged the seller multiple times via eBay and the seller will not respond to any of my messages.  I escalated the issue with eBay and now eBay's automated system is telling me to, "return the not as described item to the seller" in order to get a refund(?) I have no problem sending the "not as described item" back, but how do I know the seller won't reply back and say that I failed to return the "not as described item"(?)  Also... the seller's original auction item page clearly says that he/she does not accept returns.  Any advice on how I should handle this issue and/or how I can escalate this issue further (so I can get my money back) would be greatly appreciated - Thanks! 

[kathiec · Accepted solution]

When eBay told you to return the item, they should have provided a shipping label. Use that to return the item; it will automatically upload the tracking into the case. Once the tracking shows the item back in the seller's hands you'll be refunded. That's automatic through eBay; the seller has no way to change it.

[richard1rst]

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@midwestdistributors wrote:

I purchased an item in excess of $100 dollars and the item sent by the seller was "not as described."  I messaged the seller multiple times via eBay and the seller will not respond to any of my messages.  I escalated the issue with eBay and now eBay's automated system is telling me to, "return the not as described item to the seller" in order to get a refund(?) I have no problem sending the "not as described item" back, but how do I know the seller won't reply back and say that I failed to return the "not as described item"(?)  Also... the seller's original auction item page clearly says that he/she does not accept returns.  Any advice on how I should handle this issue and/or how I can escalate this issue further (so I can get my money back) would be greatly appreciated - Thanks! 

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When you say "I escalated the issue with eBay" did you mean you sent eBay a message or did you open an Item Not as Described case. If you have not opened a case do that and pick "item not as described" for the reason. eBay will then instruct the seller to send you a prepaid return label within a specific number of days. Use that label to return it and the USPS tracking will be enough to confirm you returned it. If the seller does issue a refund within 2 days of receipt then eBay will force it to happen.

IF the seller does not send you a prepaid label within the time limit then ask eBay to step in and they will issue you the refund without you having to return it.

STOP TALKING TO THE SELLER

Their claim that they do not take returns is overridden by eBay's policies on not as described items. The seller will have no choice. eBay will force them to take it and issue a refund regardless of what they think they can claim.

[soh.maryl]

When you receive an item that's not as described, eBay's MBG enables you to resolve the problem without contacting the seller by simply opening an item not as described case with eBay.  

ALL buyers should really familiarize themselves with the MBG so that they will know what to do if/when a transaction goes wrong.  

[potterybyrobin]

It would be helpful to know the meaning of MBG. Thank you. It's so confusing when abbreviations are not clarified.

[mtgraves7984]

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@potterybyrobin wrote:

It would be helpful to know the meaning of MBG. Thank you. It's so confusing when abbreviations are not clarified.

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@potterybyrobin 

Money Back Guarantee. >> eBay Money Back Guarantee policy
Don't feel so bad... I had to keep a window open just to identify acronyms when I first came here. 😊

[soh.maryl]

Sorry -- Money Back Guarantee for buyers.  Guess I had assumed that you'd know, given the length of time you've been here.  If you have never before had to use it as a buyer or deal with it as a seller, my sincere congratulations!

[potterybyrobin]

Oh! haha, yes, I have had to return a few items. It's so easy now! I photograph the QR code and show it to the postal clerk. No need for a printer (mine is broken). I always write first, because I thought sellers wanted to do it themselves... maybe that has changed now.

[midwestdistributors]

Really appreciate the reply and the help.  Side note/for what it's worth... shortly after posting my issue to the eBay community forum, I received a 2nd email from eBay that included an "Item Not As Described" return shipping label, and unless I somehow missed it, the 1st reply from eBay re this issue, did not actually include a return shipping label(?)   Anyway, now that I have printed the eBay return label and sent the "Not As Described Item" item back to the seller, how do I know the seller won't simply try and argue/allege that they shipped the correct item and/or allege that I failed to return the correct item back to them, which could arguably ruin my chances of getting my money back(?)  

[mtgraves7984]

 Anyway, now that I have printed the eBay return label and sent the "Not As Described Item" item back to the seller, how do I know the seller won't simply try and argue/allege that they shipped the correct item and/or allege that I failed to return the correct item back to them, which could arguably ruin my chances of getting my money back(?)  

@midwestdistributors 

I'd not worry about this. I'd worry about sending the item you received.

The only way the seller would be able to make a refund of (up to) the max 50% deduction is... they'd have to be a TRS seller offering 30-Day (or better) Returns, or a seller offering Free Returns... in answer to your question.

[nidorito_8]

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@midwestdistributors wrote:

nyway, now that I have printed the eBay return label and sent the "Not As Described Item" item back to the seller, how do I know the seller won't simply try and argue/allege that they shipped the correct item and/or allege that I failed to return the correct item back to them, which could arguably ruin my chances of getting my money back(?)  

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This same exact thing happened to me. Seller claimed they got it returned "opened" and opened a case against me, after assuring me they would issue me a full refund. Got 50% back, and promptly appealed to eBay. eBay did not respond within 48 to the appeal like they said, and also removed my negative feedback left to the seller. I decided to charge back on my CC, and it was resolved in my favor.

Apparently, this is a common occurrence on eBay that TRS are allowed to game the system, rigging feedback in their favor and having eBay reimburse (not sure if they always do?) the other half after the buyer launches an appeal. I was never reimbursed for the other half because eBay became aware I charged back with my CC company, so they cancelled the appeal. Sorry eBay, that's what happens when you have a horribly system that allows TRS to essentially scam their customers and you don't respond to the appeal on time. This way was much more satisfying for me, as now the seller has to pay for the other half (since it was a CC dispute), rather than eBay. Granted, this was only a 30$ item, but the fact that they have 100% feedback because they abuse this system and remove any negative feedback from valid returns is horrible practice.