Seller requests I Refuse the "wrong item" they sent to me. Thoughts please.

[syndi27]

The seller messaged today stating that they had sent the wrong item and wanted me to refuse the package.  Then they would wait for the refused item to be returned to them before shipping out the correct item.  To keep my buyer protection in eBay I can't refuse, correct?  Also, is it not standard to send a postage paid label for the return shipment?  The seller is Top Rated but both of these practices seem off.  Please share your thoughts.

[sin-n-dex]

---

@syndi27 wrote:

The seller messaged today stating that they had sent the wrong item and wanted me to refuse the package.  Then they would wait for the refused item to be returned to them before shipping out the correct item.  To keep my buyer protection in eBay I can't refuse, correct?  Also, is it not standard to send a postage paid label for the return shipment?  The seller is Top Rated but both of these practices seem off.  Please share your thoughts.

---

Don't refuse. Accept the package and then file a SNAD to get a shipping label to send it back. That's the proper process to keep buyer protections in place. If you refuse the package, the seller does not have to send you the right item, or refund you. Sounds like your seller is trying to pull a scam.

C.

[albertabrightalberta]

@syndi27 

NO!! If you refuse it, you lose your MBG protection. 

[mtgraves7984]

Accept that package. File that claim. Be made whole. Good luck.

[mam98031]

---

@syndi27 wrote:

The seller messaged today stating that they had sent the wrong item and wanted me to refuse the package.  Then they would wait for the refused item to be returned to them before shipping out the correct item.  To keep my buyer protection in eBay I can't refuse, correct?  Also, is it not standard to send a postage paid label for the return shipment?  The seller is Top Rated but both of these practices seem off.  Please share your thoughts.

---

You are right on top of this, GREAT job.  Don't refuse the package as others have suggested.  Accept it, open it and if it is wrong, file a Request for Return.  That is the best way to protect you and your money.  I know it is likely going to take more time this way, but at least you are protected.

Now the seller may have made an honest mistake and asked you to refuse it because they would pay less money in postage.  As long as the package isn't opened, a package can be refused and return to sender with no additional cost to you.  Now when the seller gets it there may or may not be a fee to pay.  It will depend on the class of service used on the original shipment.

Or this could be a seller that is out to steal your money.  They may have shipped you a piece of tissue paper so the shipping didn't cost much.  And if they could convince you to refuse the shipment, then you lose your Buyer protection.  Even if you filed an INR [item not received], you would lose because as you know refusing shipment equals you receiving the package.

Your instincts are terrific.  I sincerely hope this was an honest mistake on the seller's behalf.

I also hope you will come back and tell us what is actually in the package when you get it.

[lamber9347]

Another voice shouting- "don't refuse the package!"....

[ten_o_nine]

This is a tactic used by some sellers to avoid "out of stock" defects and show that they shipped the item within their handling time, as others said, don't refuse the package and file "item not as described".

Really, no seller knows they sent the wrong item before the customer contacts them unless they did it on purpose, that's my honest opinion.

[ten_o_nine]

It's not really about losing MBG protection, if the buyer received the message thru eBay instructing them to refuse the package, they will still be protected, and if not, the buyer can file a charge back with their credit card company.

The buyer will be made whole, but the seller is trying to prevent a defect for out of stock, and this tactic allows them more time to find the item they misplaced.

[mam98031]

---

@ten_o_nine wrote:

This is a tactic used by some sellers to avoid "out of stock" defects and show that they shipped the item within their handling time, as others said, don't refuse the package and file "item not as described".

Really, no seller knows they sent the wrong item before the customer contacts them unless they did it on purpose, that's my honest opinion.

---

That isn't true.   Sellers are merely humans.  Historically speaking humans make errors.  Usually an honest error but of course there are always bad apples in every bunch.

[mam98031]

They can only file a Chargeback if they used a Debit or Credit card.  Not all buyers use them.

[sin-n-dex]

---

@ten_o_nine wrote:

This is a tactic used by some sellers to avoid "out of stock" defects and show that they shipped the item within their handling time, as others said, don't refuse the package and file "item not as described".

Really, no seller knows they sent the wrong item before the customer contacts them unless they did it on purpose, that's my honest opinion.

---

That's not always the case... Last week I got an order for 5 UK Presentation packs. I had forgotten I had Lot #Y as well as Lot #P, so when reading the invoice I shipped P248 when they had purchased Y248.

I was reconciling my order and saw the Y on the invoice while logging my sales and realized that I don't think I was in that Y box recently. I went to look in the P box, and P248 is gone. I checked my store, it's still there. Obviously shipped it by mistake.

I sent my buyer a message to let them know the wrong one was shipped out, just sit tight for a few days, the correct one will go out tomorrow. I told them to keep the incorrect item (I don't want to pay high postage to have that shipped back, or inconvenience the buyer over 3.99).

So if you're on top of your game, you could find something you remember that sold and wonder why it wasn't shipped, and realized you shipped a different item. My message went to the buyer before she even got the wrong item, I just wanted her to know the correct one is coming shortly.

C.

[ten_o_nine]

@mam98031 

How else would they pay?

[ten_o_nine]

@mam98031 

I said my opinion, you're welcome to state yours without mentioning me, cool?

[wastingtime101]

---

@syndi27 wrote:

The seller messaged today stating that they had sent the wrong item and wanted me to refuse the package.  Then they would wait for the refused item to be returned to them before shipping out the correct item.  To keep my buyer protection in eBay I can't refuse, correct? 

---

Generally speaking, yes.

However eBay reps have told us if a seller instructs the buyer through eBay messaging to refuse the package, CS can review the seller's instructions and that overrules what's in the MBG about buyer protection being voided on item not received claims.

Can you confirm if what I stated is still accurate info today elizabeth@ebay kyle@ebay ? It's been a while since eBay reps gave us that info.

For what it's worth @syndi27 , I shipped a wrong item (wrong color) last year and realized the day after shipping. I contacted the buyer and asked them to refuse the package to make the process easier - buyer wouldn't have to find a printer and I could save on return ship costs. As soon as the package showed the first scan saying the package was refused I put the correct item in the mail to the buyer. It was smooth and easy. Buyer was happy with the process and my communication throughout, even came back to purchase a few more items later in the year.

[mam98031]

Buyers can pay with PayPal or Google Pay.