Help wanted. Should I accept Seller's partial refund and move on, or hand it over to eBay? Thanks

[ektinbay]

Hi fellow eBayers,

Bought a train toy. I was the only bidder and won the item for $4.99, plus shipping and tax total I paid $11. Received it in a thin paper envelope with missing parts (only the train arrived not the tender). Tried to communicate with the seller, and he stated it was USPS's fault so I'm the one who should go file a claim with the postal office. 

(FYI: Before bidding, I'd contacted the seller asking how much would combined shipping be if I'd bid and won more items. He offered me to pay $6 each for the items plus shipping. But these items had starting bid at $4.99 and nobody ever bid, they're still up for auction as of now starting at $4.99 each. Thus I politely turned the offer down and went on to pay for the only one item I'd bid on and won.)

Now seller issued a partial refund. He acted like he was the victim and told me to "accept it and move on, stop harassing me". It's just not fair as I've paid shipping and handling then I've not received what I paid for.

If you were me, would you "accept it and move on", or hand the case over and let eBay take care of it? Really appreciate all your input!

Item received. Train only, missing tender.Original packaging.Original packaging.

[klhmdg · Accepted solution]

I would file a "not as described" case.

Do not settle for a partial refund.  Decline the offer....

If you file not as described case the seller will have the choice to refund 100% OR supply you with a shipping label and once you return it he will refund you 100%.

All I can say is - I am so sorry this is the type of seller you are dealing with. 

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

I wouldn't settle for any less than a 100% total refund of my money. I would escalate as needed to EBay. That's just me.

When I ship, I use poly bubble mailers. Poly because they are tear resistant. Bubble for protection.

I bubble wrap anything remotely breakable or damageable or that can take actual marks of additional wear during the shipping process. (Yes...i bubble wrap items that i stick in bubble mailers, call me crazy, I call it service).

Oh... and I buy bubble mailers with GOOD adhesive that does not open without a ton of freaking effort....i still tape those darn things shut...because again, you call it crazy, i call it service.

The fact that he made $1 on the sale is his fault. He shouldn't sell things that arent worth his time or effort. He shouldn't ship things in ways that result in problems that aren't worth his time and effort.

Again. Personally, I would escalate, but I have high standards, for the products and service I receive.

I don't think "Accept it and move on" quite cuts it for me....but maybe I should sleep on it first... 🙄🙄

[dryophelia]

@ektinbay 

It feels like I’m being pulled into a drama tornado. 

If you want a full refund, open an Item Not As Described case. 
If you want $5, accept his partial refund. 
If you want to toss a few more word salads around with the seller, go at it. 

[albertabrightalberta]

@ektinbay 

It's the seller's responsibility to pack and ship items in a way to get it to you safely and securely. The seller didn't pack properly and is jerking you around. 

Go to the transaction and open a return request. Pick the option that "item is not as described or pictured." 

The seller will have to respond to the dispute by either issuing a full refund without making you return it, accepting the return by paying for a return shipping label, or offering a partial refund. DO NOT take the partial. 

If the seller doesn't respond by the date shown when you submit the request, you can escalate and have ebay step in. They will decide in your favor and the seller's account will be dinged.

[albertabrightalberta]

Decline that offer! 

ETA: There's no insurance on an item that was shipped by first class mail. And damage isn't your responsibility. 

Ugh! Sellers like this give all sellers a bad name.

[h20fish]

I always have Ebay handle these issues,, unfortunatally ebay has lots of bad seller and yes perhaps more good sellers,, ebay Lately has fallen behind on their providing good sellers,, I Just had ebay get me a refund on an item again it may take close to 30 days in the end to have your money back, also be sure to leave negative feedback for the seller. Like others above have said open a not as discribed  return. Also did you know if you buy on ebay and item comes thru Amazon  it can be returned also as a not as discribed item,, ebay told me this themselves !

[simba6]

I would get a full refund. Hand it over to eBay if the seller won't.  Padded envelopes are not good for shipping everything.

[buyselljack2016]

If what you received is worth $6 to you..............  accept the partial.

If not worth the $6.................   decline the offer.

[wmjmom]

As a seller myself who ships for FREE and I'm always responsible for any shipments that don't arrive safely.  This seller is not a good one.  First off, buyers can't open USPS claims, and only Priority mail has free insurance (up to $100 coverage).  You will be successful w/ getting 100% of your purchase price + shipping cost.  Sounds like the seller sent you a refund of $4.99 on his own, so he will be out that $ as he didn't properly do it correctly.  eBay will not reimburse him.  You've got this, and hopefully the seller will learn a hard lesson.  It's the only way to get them to change, if they ever do.

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

Seller didn't even use a padded envelope, seller used a regular envelope.

Padded envelopes are good for many things, not everything, lol. This would have been fine, but seller used straight thin paper envelope. SMH

[the_fancy_fox]

Decline the offer and file a not as described case.

You deserve to be made whole.

[aproudparent2010]

Decline their offer, open an Item not as Described case. They will have to give you a full refund and also pay to get their item back.

[ektinbay]

Wow I really appreciate everyone's time and input! I'm sorry for the late reply.

Unfortunately, I can only accept one answer as "Solution", although all of you have been so helpful and understanding! You guys are the ones who keep eBay a warm and vital place!

I decided to file an INAD on this purchase. Hopefully future parents/children buyers won't have to deal with this situation again. $10 really is not worth the hassle.

Hope all of you and your families the best!

Thank you guys!

[soh.maryl]

Let this be a valuable lesson for you in the future.  When you receive an item that's not as described, as in your case, you go directly to opening an item not as described case.  There's no reason in the world for you to have to engage in any back-and-forth dialogue with the seller and, as you can see, this often turns out badly.  eBay offers buyers a way to handle the situation, so why not use it?