Seller requested me to text message them.

[krakencollectibles433]

I purchased an item and when I received it, it did not completely match the photo. It may have been damaged during shipping but that is unlikely. More likely; the damage was not visible in the photo due to lighting and angle. After reaching out to the seller, they have requested me to text message them. I have seen many warnings about giving any unnecessary information to buyers but no warnings on sellers getting information. Any advice would be appreciated.

[downunder-61]

There is no reason for a seller to ask you to text them.

Find the item in your puchase history, and click on Return this item and choose item did not match description.

The seller will have 3 days to send you a pre paid label to send the item back and if they do not provide that label by day 4 you return to the case you opened and as eBay to step in.

Do NOT close the case no matter what excuse or reason the seller gives you.

[inhawaii]

Don't do it.

There is NO REASON to communicate with a buyer (or seller)  outside of the ebay messaging system.

[the_fancy_fox]

---

@inhawaii wrote:

Don't do it.

There is NO REASON to communicate with a buyer (or seller)  outside of the ebay messaging system.

---

Well there is but it usually doesn’t end well. 

[mam98031]

I agree with the others.  There is no GOOD reason the seller is asking you to do that.  If you feel the need to respond to them, just tell them you want to keep all communication inside of Ebay and you won't be texting them.

If you don't feel like doing that, file a Request for Return so you protect yourself and your money.  Your seller will have 3 days to respond to your claim.  If they don't, at the beginning of day 4, there should be a button on the claim to ask Ebay to step in.  Make sure you click on that and then Ebay will take good care of you.

If this seller tries anything else underhanded with you, please tell us about it so we can help further advise you.  

[reallynicestamps]

when I received it, it did not completely match the photo. I...More likely; the damage was not visible in the photo due to lighting and angle.

Sounds like the photos were carefully crafted to mislead you.

The request to text takes the discussion away from eBay where eBay cannot see what is being proposed.

By any chance, does this seller have a No Returns policy? It would be in character. 

A No Returns policy is not a No Refunds policy.

You can, through eBay Messages, ask for return shipping.

If refused, open a Not As Described dispute.

EBay will instruct them to send Return Shipping.

When the disputed item shows delivery, you will be refunded.

If the seller does not refund voluntarily, eBay will refund you, and go after him for their money.

[mam98031]

I know that you know this, but even if the seller has a No Return policy, that is not an excuse for asking the buyer to text them.  There is no good reason that any seller should ask a buyer to do that.  I'm all for working out returns and stuff without having to open a claim, but I would never ask my buyer to take the communication off Ebay.  I don't have anything to say to my buyers that Ebay can't see.

[quigleyscorner]

The first obvious clue is the item doesn't match the description. Good faith on the sellers' part would be working with you - through eBay - to resolve the problem.  As mam98031  puts it, a seller asking for your number is NOT good - the seller has something to hide and doesn't want a record on eBay. 

It's pretty easy to see that once you communicate off of eBay, you risk breaking eBay policy and you won't have any of the eBay buyer protections or guarantees, and probably won't be able to request a return or even file a claim with eBay. 

It's up to you; The Take away is keep it on eBay.