Seller won't provide return label

[lantram]

I purchased an item that said it was in Seattle and was going to be shipped from there.

The seller did not promptly send the item and then provided a fake tracking number from AQUA that said it was being shipped to me from New Jersey.

A package did eventually arrive - although without tracking - I had no way to schedule a delivery or know when it was going to arrive.

When it arrived it was a box shipped to me from Amazon with some cheap junk in it that I did not order.

I opened a case that I did not receive what I ordered. I took photos of the box and its content. Ebay said "The seller should respond and let you know what to do next."

The seller however did not respond. Instead, Ebay responded and said:

Send the item back: The seller let us know they sent you a return shipping label. If you haven't received it yet, contact the seller. Be sure to send the item back by Feb 26. If you don't, we might close your return and you may not receive a refund.Already sent it back?It's important to let the seller know the item's in the mail and when they can expect it. Just mark the item as sent.

Seller return information:

Address

PLEASE CONTACT ME FIRST DO NOT USE THE AUTOMATIC LABEL

(ADDRESS DELETED)

HOWEVER, the seller did not provide me with a shipping label. There is no option on the "You started a return" form other than "Mark as shipped" or "Close the return".

I sent a private message to the seller telling them I did not receive a return label. Eventually, they sent me a picture of a label with my information on it to send it back to Amazon and told me to go to UPS and take care it.

OK... what do I do here? I'm on the verge of getting screwed out of $80+. The seller is a scammer. Ebay is providing me with NO options to contact them. I even tried their chat thing to contact them but it redirects me back to the form above.

Do I send it back to the (ADDRESS DELETED) address above at my own cost? Do I somehow print out this little photo send to me in private message and paste that on the box and take it to UPS? Shouldn't Ebay be providing me an official return address label that they can track???

None of this seems legitimate. How am I supposed to make sure it is acknowledged as returned? If it is sent back to Amazon, what if the scammer just lies and says they didn't get it or something? Am I then out of my $80+??

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

[lakefor94]

The seller is jerking you around.

If seller does not send a return label within 3 days and the "Ask eBay To Step In" option is not available, you will have to contact eBay. Contact eBay thru Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness/
Using the instant messaging and explain that the seller has not provided a return label.

Under NO circumstances do you close the return before getting your refund, REGARDLESS of what the seller might tell you.

[lantram]

Ebay is indicating that the seller provided a return label, and that if I do not return it by Feb. 26th, I'm SOL -- however as mentioned, the seller only sent me a private message with a picture of a label that I'm supposed to print and return to Amazon.

This is what I said to him:

ME: "You are attempting to circumvent the protections Ebay has put in place to protect both buyer and sellers. You send me a private message with a picture of a label that I'm supposed to send to Amazon? This does not seem legitimate. I ordered from Ebay, not Amazon. Additionally, I did NOT give you permission to use my name and personal information at Amazon. Send me a return label using the normal Ebay return mechanism."

SELLER RESPONSE: "That is the closest warehouse to your location, and returning it there is the only option available. To maintain privacy, we refrain from using our house address and designated warehouse for returns. The decision to return the item is entirely yours."

I don't trust this clown. He already provided a FAKE tracking number to me when he sent the package. One that was updated as shown to have been delivered to me, but is not from a shipping company in the United States and was not the shipping company that was used (UPS was used by Amazon). 

The thing is, what if he provides another fake tracking number to Ebay that shows it as never returned? I assume I am then screwed. I have no idea what the tracking number SHOULD be unless Ebay provides me with a legitimate return address label.

@lakefor94 - thank you for your advice. I guess I should try to contact Ebay for Business on Facebook.

It is rather worrisome that this guy is pulling shenanigans like this - i assume is not in the USA - did not ship it from the region/location the listing said it would - did not provide a legitimate tracking number to me - won't provide a legitimate return label to me - and I'm having to worry about how to get Ebay to pay attention to this scammer - who BTW is a "Top Rated" seller with this feedback I wish I would have noticed:

"As this item was crushed when delivered by the Amazon drop-shipper, this is not the correct place to leave proper feedback. If you are just going to order items to be drop-kicked by Amazon rather than keeping the inventory yourself, you may want to include that in your descriptions. Buyer Beware: this seller does not have personal inventory and orders via his Amazon Prime Membership."

[kensgiftshop]

If the label Ebay provided had a address, use the shipping label to return it.

If the seller wants it returned to Amazon, they can do it them self.

[rseuqinh · Accepted solution]

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@lantram wrote:

HOWEVER, the seller did not provide me with a shipping label. There is no option on the "You started a return" form other than "Mark as shipped" or "Close the return".

OK... what do I do here? I'm on the verge of getting screwed out of $80+. The seller is a scammer. Ebay is providing me with NO options to contact them. I even tried their chat thing to contact them but it redirects me back to the form above. 

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Stop @lantram talking to the seller. 

Instead, leave a private message here to tell eBay you did not get an official prepaid eBay return label, to get your refund after it is sent back, regardless delivered or bounced, to the seller's fake return address.

[lantram]

@rseuqinh Thank you. I contacted Ebay for Business on Facebook using the link you provided. I'll let everyone know what happens!!

[lantram]

Ebay came through and sent me a return label. Thanks for the help everyone!