Damaged Item from eBay GSP – Any Way to Keep It?

[antland653]

Hi everyone,

I recently bought an expensive signed photo of my favorite actress through eBay. It was shipped from the U.S. to Germany via the Global Shipping Program.

Unfortunately, the item was damaged during international transit. I took photos and even filmed the unboxing to document everything. I’ve contacted the seller, but didn’t get a response, so I opened a return case, and eBay immediately issued a return label.

I’ve read that eBay usually refunds the buyer and compensates the seller through GSP in these cases. I fully understand why the seller might not be interested in offering a partial refund, since they’ll likely get the item refunded anyway and eBay will dispose of it.

But here’s the issue:

This autograph means a lot to me personally. I would love to keep it despite the damage, just not for the full price I paid. It breaks my heart to send it back knowing it will just be destroyed.

Is there anything else I can do? Has anyone successfully arranged to keep an item in a case like this, maybe with a partial refund instead of returning it?

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

[ebooksdiva]

Sounds like the seller used eBay's International Shipping program (eIS) (GSP is used by sellers outside the US.) eBay handles those returns on behalf of the seller once they are delivered to the buyer.

Sometimes eBay will just refund without wanting you to send the item back, but since eBay issued a return label you need to return the item in order to receive a refund.

If you really want to keep the item you could close the return or let it time out without getting a refund.

[antland653]

Thank you for your reply.

Is there really no other way? It feels a bit extreme to be forced to either return the item or keep it as is, especially knowing that if I return it, it will likely just be disposed of. I’m really hoping to avoid that outcome.

Is there any chance someone at eBay could take a closer look at this case? I’d truly appreciate any help or flexibility here.

[soh.maryl]

Your suggestion of letting the return time out so she can keep the picture would work other than for the fact that the OP would like at least a partial refund and to keep the picture.  

[ebooksdiva]

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@soh.maryl wrote:

Your suggestion of letting the return time out so she can keep the picture would work other than for the fact that the OP would like at least a partial refund and to keep the picture.  

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That would be up to eBay since it was through eIS. If eBay was going to give a partial refund or a full refund and allow the OP to keep the item, they would not have sent a return label. 

[klhmdg]

EIS shipments that are damaged from the shipping hub to the buyer are under eBays umbrella, not the seller.

eBay will refund you in full once you return the item OR they will just refund.

eBay has chosen to refund you in full once you return it.

There is no one to take this up with. The seller cannot make that determination either since EIS is under eBay. 

[antland653]

Hey so, I heard back from my seller. They called eBay and said they will fully refund me and I don't need to send anything back.

I'm happy, still thank you very much for your time!

[simba6]

it's either /or with them.    Keep it or return it is all they offer. 

[aproudparent2010]

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@antland653 wrote:

Thank you for your reply.

Is there really no other way? It feels a bit extreme to be forced to either return the item or keep it as is, especially knowing that if I return it, it will likely just be disposed of. I’m really hoping to avoid that outcome.

Is there any chance someone at eBay could take a closer look at this case? I’d truly appreciate any help or flexibility here.

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You opened a return case so that means you return it....

[aproudparent2010]

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@antland653 wrote:

Hey so, I heard back from my seller. They called eBay and said they will fully refund me and I don't need to send anything back.

I'm happy, still thank you very much for your time!

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Did you get the refund  before you closed the case?

[antland653]

Case is stil open, seller said it can take up to two days for it to process.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

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@antland653 wrote:

Hey so, I heard back from my seller. They called eBay and said they will fully refund me and I don't need to send anything back.

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Unfortunately, whatever the seller was told on the phone may not be what is going to happen. There is a lot of history of the Ebay customer service reps making promises which they cannot fulfill. Do not let anyone convince you to close the case or delay the return longer than the required period unless you have the refund in hand.

[antland653]

That would certainly suck. I am still in good spirits and will keep you guys updated 🙂