eBay

thespriz · ‎12-26-2019

So I have a question about a return scenario I am facing at the moment. I ordered an item which arrived damaged. The item is from a seller (withholding name for seller's privacy) and was listed as us stock and the item shipped from NJ. However, the seller's location shows as Hong Kong. So is this considered an international listing?

Anyway, long story short, the item was a desoldering iron which arrived bent and damaged. I opened a return request for "item arrived damaged" and asked for a replacement item, or a refund if a replacement is not available. I expected that the seller would send me a prepaid label to ship it back. After a few messages, the seller gave me a NJ address to ship it to. I replied asking for a prepaid label through eBay. His response was that I hadn't opened a return request, so he couldn't accept the return and issue me a label. I found this odd, since he was responding to the return request I'd opened. He asked if I could ship it using the cheapest post option and then he would send the cost to my PayPal account within 24 hours.

I don't feel i should have to tie up my own money to ship the item back, and maybe not get reimbursed for it. Not to mention with my holiday work schedule, I won't be able to get to the post office to buy shipping for a week and a half.
With the item shipping from NJ, shouldn't this seller be able to generate a label for me? Also, even though the item shipped from NJ, the seller's location shows Hong Kong. How is that possible? Does that prevent him from using the normal eBay return method?

My last message to the seller was to let them know that I had in fact opened a return request, and that I didn't feel I should pay up front for return shipping on their damaged item, and that I was waiting for a prepaid label. I'm hoping someone here has more experience with this and can give me an idea of how to proceed.

nc-daydreamer · ‎12-26-2019

Unfortunately, the package and the seller do not have to be in the same location. Many overseas sellers have US warehouse. Only way to be sure is to ask the seller about it before one buys from them.

You did right by opening a case. eBay will require the seller to furnish you a label that you can print.

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thespriz · ‎12-26-2019

Hmm... Good to know. So how's does does a damaged item return typically work in these situations where an overseas seller has a us warehouse? Should I just wait for now and see if seller sends a label, and then ask ebay to step in if not?

Anonymous · ‎12-27-2019

Hmm... Good to know. So how's does does a damaged item return typically work in these situations where an overseas seller has a us warehouse? Should I just wait for now and see if seller sends a label, and then ask ebay to step in if not?

Hi @thespriz, the seller will need to provide return shipping compensation. This could be either domestic or international, but they would need to cover the cost for you in a return like this. If they don't provide a label or arrange to cover the costs in some way, you can ask eBay to step in and we will instruct the seller to facilitate the return or they will have to refund without a return being required. Continue to communicate with your seller in the meantime and definitely touch base with Customer Service if you have any questions or concerns.