Seller won’t ship an item or issue a refund

[blamo_76]

Hello, this is my first post as I cannot find any other helpful posts with the same problem. 

so I purchased an item that falls into the large purchase category on eBay ($750 or greater). I pay for item and a couple days later get a message from seller refusing to ship item because eBay is charging them too much in fees for selling the item. Instead of canceling the order the seller states they will wait until my funds are released and then refund me. Seller also falsely marked the item as shipped in an attempt to release the funds faster so they could “refund” me. The only problem is eBay often with holds the funds on large items like this until tracking info shows the product being delivered. So I wait two weeks until the proposed funds released date and the seller stated the funds are still on hold (probably cause the item was never shipped). Seller states that since eBay will not release the funds they can not refund my money. I am unsure why the seller wouldn’t just cancel the order to begin with instead of trying to jump through hoops. I am looking for advice on what to do. I opened a case for a refund after all of that and the seller responded to the case saying that they cannot refund money they don’t have cause it’s on hold. I have now asked eBay to step in and help. Will the seller falsely marking the item as shipped mess up the chance of a refund?

i also have all the messages between seller and I of seller stating marking it as shipped to get funds released quicker and refusing to ship item. 

Thanks,

[albertabrightalberta]

Marking the item as shipped won't work in the seller's favor without tracking. 

Once the seller marked it, you should be able to see an estimated delivery date. On the day after that date, go to the transaciton and click on "I haven't received my item." 

If seller can't provide a tracking number showing delivery and signature confirmation (required for $750+), you will get your money back. 

[mtgraves7984]

Of course the seller could cancel the order... you are not crazy.

But if this is ^^^ the tack the seller is taking, your next move is to file an Item Not Received claim (at least) one day past the Estimated Delivery Date on the order, if you still don't have the item. Sorry you picked a scrub seller.

[soh.maryl]

There are probably also many posts with the same problem.

But the thing you need to read is eBay's Money Back Guarantee for buyers and then to follow through with those instructions once your item is one day overdue.  

[lady_madonna]

@blamo_76 

Your seller is WRONG. They CAN issue a refund before the Ebay payout goes into their bank account. What a numpty.🙄

Ebay should be able to step in to help you. You should receive a refund immediately since tracking will show item was not delivered.

You can leave appropriate feedback. Do not mention filing a case through Ebay nor any name calling.