Seller getting interest free loans- hear me out

[kimber_rose]

I’ve just realized that a seller can essentially get an loan from a buyer for at least 2 weeks. 
I purchased a htf item from a Belgium seller on June 30th. Before purchasing I made sure of two things:

1. They sold to US buyers.

2. I would receive a tracked parcel.  

They assured me yes with both. 
I immediately paid my $192. 

Seller marked item shipped July 2nd but no tracking uploaded . I wanted to give them some space and not nag so I waited.
Finally on July 10th I message asking for tracking. 
July 11th - No response

July 12th- I ask if they can please add the tracking number or screenshot of drop off receipt so I know it’s in transit. 
July 13th - Seller responds with tracking and a friendly message. 
Seller didn’t ship on July 2nd, but the day I messaged them on the 10th of July.

Annoying but okay. 

I check the tracking and it’s being returned to sender because it’s a prohibited item (fragrance) 

I let them know we have an issue and ask how he can fix this since he only sells fragrances since 2019, has successfully shipped worldwide previously and has excellent feedback.

Seller goes on to say this never happened before and will contact PostNL.

Seller sends me tracking number of another US buyer and says all is well with their parcel and it’s a fragrance. I track the other buyers parcel and it’s also being returned!! 😂

I let Seller know both parcels are being returned to sender. Seller claims he emailed PostNL and they fixed it but when I look the destination country is the Netherlands - not United States.

I know I can open a INR case the day after excepted delivery (I’m also a seller) but all this makes me wonder why? Why do this as a seller. Then it hit me, a loan.

It only took me 5 sales before I was paid within 2 days as an eBay seller so most sellers are paid within 2 days. 
So you can get an interest free loan for at least 2 weeks before you have to pay it back. 
He said he wish he didn’t have to sell it but he had to. 

“You’ll get refunded” that’s not the point. My money has been tied up for over 2 weeks now. After waiting months the same item showed up in Mercari, it would have cost me $30 more but it would have gotten to me sooner. I could have purchased it and now that’s gone. 

I dunno. What do y’all think? 

[mudshark61369]

@kimber_rose,

It sounds like your seller may have tried shipping using Postal NL because they are either located close to the border between Holland aka Netherlands, and Belgium, and they travel there often.  Despite the initial 12 day delay in shipping the seller did send the item but it is being returned by Postal NL for some reason, they were not aware of when they shipped the item After all you do say the seller has excellent feedback for selling fragrances internationally.

I do not think the seller was intentionally trying to get a loan. After all, considering the cost of some perfumes even a $1,000 purchase wouldn't provide enough money to buy more than a few bottles of some scents. Besides what good is a shot term loan if it ends up costing a seller one or more negative feedback?