No one is helping me

[ja_redek_qmbyx5]

1. I bought two items on Jan 17 from a single seller as a single order with a total of approx $130
2. the package arrived on Feb 17, empty. it was a lightweight brown bubblemailer in 'worn' condition with writing in blue pen "NO CONTENTS"
3. I immediately went to ebay and opened a thing with the seller to inform him.
4. the seller informs me, that for him to take any action he requires a "form PS 3831" from post office
5. i go to post office, explain above situation, ask for form 3831. they know of no such form and direct me to the phone line
6. i call the phone line twice and try to get through automation but fail both times to reach anyone and end up in wrong departments
7. i go to their usps website and attempt to email for help but email is hidden behind more automation, cannot complete due to insufficient info
8. email usps site tech dept, explain situation, explain hardships, directed to the first form i filled out that failed
9. re email same dept to explain that i had already tried that form to no avail
10. receive reply that their dept cannot help me and that i should call the phone number
11. send email that i have already tried to call that twice to no avail
12. directed to form that failed initially once more
13. fill out form with as much real info as possible, add in bogus place holders for the sake of completion/ submission- note all innaccuracies in text field along with evolving explanation of my experiences and a plea for help
14. receive usps survey to rate my experiences with USPS support, leave extremely negative answers and full details of my experience in text fields
15. one of the last questions, "what do you plan to do next"
16. i realize this is a real question- i decide that since seller and shipper wont help all i can do now is contact ebay or credit card company
17. try to contact ebay but its another complete endless automation loop where you never find a real human to ask for help
18. google ebay forums
19. post this in anger

Good morning everyone! How are you all doing on this fine day?

[aproudparent2010]

If you would have simply opened a SNAD case you would have just had to send the empty envelope back at the sellers cost and when it shown as dleivered eBay would have refunded you.

Your post office must be a bit off if they have never heard of form PS 3831 as that is a legitimate form for when items are damaged or missing in the mail.

[7606dennis]

File a SNAD.

[thallidguy]

Why didn't you open a Significantly Not As Described dispute with eBay, then escalate it to a claim when the seller started to jerk you around? eBay actually makes it simple for you to force a refund, but you have to follow the proper procedure.

If you paid by PayPal, you can open a dispute up to 180 days from date of purchase.

[zzydny]

Go to the bottom of the page and click on Resolution Center.  Open a case for "Item Significantly Not as Described" to get a refund.  Do NOT open a case for "Item Not Receceived" because you did receive something.  Do not wait to do this because time is limited. 

[ja_redek_qmbyx5]

Please teach me what to do, as I do not, and no one is making it clear.  I have never had a purchase on ebay not work as intended, and everyone who has given me instructions, their instructions are failing me. Please break that cycle and give me the GOOD instructions.

[ja_redek_qmbyx5]

When i do that it says "an item not received request is already open for this item" 

[thatsallfolks]

Since you've already opened a case (the wrong kind), you'll have to call eBay and ask them to change it to a "not as described" case.

[ja_redek_qmbyx5]

we were posting at the same time. after i saw that, i did those steps but i am met with "an item not received request is already open for this item"

[ja_redek_qmbyx5]

please can you give more information on how to contact a real human this is basically what my goal has been since the 17th but i jsut keep getting bounced around automated non answers. thank you all so much for basically resolving everything in like 30 seconds

[aproudparent2010]

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@ja_redek_qmbyx5wrote:

When i do that it says "an item not received request is already open for this item" 

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You messed up then...

You DID receive something so you opened the wrong kind of case. Now all seller has to do is provide their tracking number and case will be closed in their favor. Try contacting eBay right away over the phone and see if they will change the type of case for you.

[7606dennis]

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@ja_redek_qmbyx5wrote:

When i do that it says "an item not received request is already open for this item" 

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It sounds like you already opened the wrong type of dispute.  I believe you may be able to close that one and open a SNAD.  You will probably need to call eBay.

[tina06457]

They shouldn't file a INR because something was delivered (empty package) and the seller will just input tracking showing delivered and the buyer will lose the case. Buyer needs to file a SNAD and send the seller back the empty package to get a refund. The seller is probably going to fight this so the buyer needs to follow the case closely. They should come back here for more advice as needed.

[ja_redek_qmbyx5]

i will favorite this thread and observe it thanks so much for the really fast replies i should have came here first instead of filing disputes without the proper knowledge. i didnt get the item so it made sense to hit item not received. 

they should reword those buttons to package not received and no item/item not as described

please please i need a phone number thanks again so much

[thallidguy]

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@ja_redek_qmbyx5wrote:

Please teach me what to do, as I do not, and no one is making it clear.  I have never had a purchase on ebay not work as intended, and everyone who has given me instructions, their instructions are failing me. Please break that cycle and give me the GOOD instructions.

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On every single eBay listing there is a link, plastered in bright colors, for information about eBay's Money Back Guarantee. eBay already tells you what you need to do and how the display process works. You're better off referring to the help pages that bugging CS, which is notoriously likely to mislead you.