China seller not sending return label - cannot contact or escalate for eBay help (no button avail)

[red87star]

Chinese seller sold me a "tank top" that was unethically listed / major manufacturer defect.

HOW am I able to even get ebay involved!??  I have NO button to "Contact eBay" despite it being well past the date given to be able to do so in the email that followed the request to return.  Seller keeps giving me the runaround with messages & I do not trust giving this seller my PayPal information as they are asking for (sharing email / acct info is also against ebay policy, which I've said in my replies).   

100% deceitful listing that wasn't at all as described (MUCH smaller handkerchief listed as a tank top 🤦‍♂️). I have shared obvious evidence with pictures and measurements showing this, but am stuck.  I will not pay 2-3x the value of the item out of pocket to return it and wait weeks expecting reimbursement and refund. 

Seller has accepted the return, but will not provide return label, nor can I "escalate" or contact eBay.  Stuck in a loop.  

Please help.  I've seen many such posts here, dating back years, but no actual answers or response by eBay staff.  Please advise.  Thanks in advance.

[robbie31415 · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Try going to this link

https://www.ebay.com/help/call_us?type=ContactUs&topicId=4000

Utilize the automated assistant, and when you get a prompt to type, type in 'Contact Agent'

You will be given 2 options call back or chat.

If you have any issues with it let us know.

[soh.maryl]

Chinese sellers as well as other international sellers cannot provide a prepaid return label.

When you open an item not as described case, as I assume you did, that seller is supposed to reimburse you in advance for the cost of return shipping.  If it's been at least 4 days, but less than 30, you need to return to the case and ask eBay to step in.  Their usual routine in a situation like this is to refund you from the seller's funds and just let you keep the item.  But you can't just assume that will happen unless you have opened the case and then followed up with eBay.  

[fab_finds4u]

You have 30 days to open. Once a case is opened the buyer has to escalate or return to the case and ask for help by 21 days, not 30. It closes in 21 days if there's no activity after opening the case.

[fab_finds4u]

It is not against policy to share contact information after you pay.

[pjcdn2005]

The seller cannot send you a usps label from China.  They are asking for your PP address so that they can send you the money for the return label.  You should let them know what the cost will be for sending the item back with Priority international as first class international does not have tracking to China. They can't provide money for the label unless you give them  that information and a way to send you the money (Venmo or Paypal).  If they still don't send you the money then contact ebay customer service by sending a private message to ebay on Facebook.  They should then refund you in full without a return.  

Some of the other posters mentioned that you can ask ebay to step in after a specific number of days. That does not happen if the seller has accepted the return so you have to contact ebay customer service directly.

[red87star]

The last sentence.  I struggled mightily to contact ebay.  Tried everything until eventually finding the right exact keywords in the chat bot to lead to connecting with a person.  Unfortunately my attempts were not during the hours they had somebody available, and/or their expected response time was unrealistically delayed...I can't sit around forever for them to finally respond on chat.  The case eventually expired and I was ruled against.  I really expected it to be reasonable to get in contact with ebay.

I still don't understand why the button to "escalate" or "contact ebay" was completely missing from all pages of my case.  I have had other sellers refund to avoid a bad rating over such items of little value. 

[red87star]

Ultimately, it wasn't worth wasting multiple hours trying to find recourse over a $16 item, despite the desire for justice.  Buyer-beware when an item from China is listed as "return paid by buyer".   Ebay could care less with it's "Guarantee" when they & it are basically impossible to access.