Frustrating return experience

[chinagoldfinch_8]

I purchased an item from an eBay seller. It arrived damaged. I notified the seller with photos of the broken item. I started the return. The item arrived on a Wednesday and by Saturday I had dropped it off to the carrier for the return. Per eBay seller received the item on Wednesday. No response from seller, no refund. I waited a few days and then checked my eBay account again. Still no refund. I reached out to seller the following week on two consecutive days asking about my refund. No response. I contacted eBay customer service and was told to reach out to seller again, which I did. I told seller I would like my refund and that I had contacted eBay. I was polite. No response from seller. I waited a few more days and contacted eBay customer service again. I spoke with 3 individuals in customer service. In addition to the customer service agent, I spoke with someone in Trust & Safety. Not sure why they were involved. The customer service agent told me she couldn’t discuss the details of the return since my account was “restricted.” I had no idea what that meant since I have been a buyer and a seller on eBay for seven years. I have never filed a return before as a buyer. I was finally transferred to someone who handles escalations who told me I would receive an email in 24-48 hours about my refund. The whole time I was made to feel that I was being unreasonable for asking for my refund.  A couple of days after speaking with the escalation team I reached out to seller for the 4th time, and this time politely accused seller of selling me a broken item. What do you know, Seller finally responded! Said he tried to refund me 3 times but it wouldn’t go through. Said he was away from home and it wouldn’t go have to wait a few days until he returned home and could get in touch with eBay. Did I ever receive said email from eBay that I was promised? No, and it will be a week to

tomorrow Since I called. I honestly don’t know what to do at this point. The refund is for $90 so I don’t want to drop it. Is this normal for eBay returns? I’ve refunded buyers and don’t remember it being anything more than a couple of steps to refund money. Is there an address I can email eBay about this? I feel like I’ve gotten nowhere with all this.

[kensgiftshop]

@chinagoldfinch_8 

Go to the return case and see if there's a link to ask Ebay to step in.

[ebooksdiva]

When the seller received the item back he/she has 2 days to refund. If you don’t receive the refund by the 4th day you can go back into the return case and click “ask eBay to step in”. 

[chinagoldfinch_8]

That was never an option for me. I checked that and to this day all it says

 I looked everywhere for that ask eBay to step in option.

[soh.maryl]

First, and this is important, did you actually open an item not as described case with eBay?

Will assume you did, because that's really the only way to handle a situation like this.

After you open the case, you wait 3 days for some response from the seller.  The seller is supposed to send you a prepaid return label.  Did that happen? As far as I can tell, you make no mention of it here, that's why I am asking.

If you did not receive the return label, you go back to eBay on day #4 and ask eBay to step in.  They will refund you from the seller's funds and tell you to keep the item.

You will notice that I did not mention any need for you to contact eBay or the seller.  This can all be handled as outlined.  

[chinagoldfinch_8]

Yes I did start the return process with eBay with item arrived damaged. Yes I did receive a return label from seller. I returned the item and seller reviewed it per EBay’s records. 

[12345jamesstamps]

Seller has 4 days to refund you...after that you can click on claim and ask eBay to step in.

That's basically it.

'my account was restricted' something must have happened in the past.

I see no recent seller or buyers feedbacks on your account.

'tried to refund me 3 times'...are you hooked up to 'managed payments' and such?

[chinagoldfinch_8]

Why wouldn’t I contact seller if the item arrived damaged? I provided seller with photos of the damaged item.

[chinagoldfinch_8]

This is an account I share with someone else. My purchasing account is separate. I was concerned that something had happened with my buying account but it is in good standing. I paid through PayPal. 

[soh.maryl]

How long ago did the seller receive your returned item?  

[soh.maryl]

Perhaps I didn't present my point clearly.  

My point was this:  There was no need for you to contact the seller in your situation, but it wasn't wrong to do so.  Sometimes, when a seller is contacted, an unscrupulous seller may try to make you wait longer to resolve the issue, but I'm sure you're smart enough not to fall for any delaying tactics.  

[soh.maryl]

So you asked your question here using a different ID from the one you used to purchase the item that you want to return?  

[aproudparent2010]

What date was item ordered?
What date was item  received?
What date was case opened?

[soh.maryl]

And has the seller received your return yet?

If so, when did that happen?    

[qeqo_0]

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@soh.maryl wrote:

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@chinagoldfinch_8 wrote:

I started the return.

The item arrived on a Wednesday and by Saturday I had dropped it off to the carrier for the return.

Per eBay seller received the item on Wednesday. 

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And has the seller received your return yet?

If so, when did that happen?    

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Wednesday, one week after actual delivery. All buyers should fantasize themselves with the eBay Monkey Bench Guarantee MBG. It answers questions such as these: And has the seller received your return yet?