Recent seller announcement regarding delayed shipments says that if 10 days has passed after buyer opens "Item Not Received" case, eBay will consider item lost and will request that the SELLER refund the buyer.
I just spoke with Customer Svc agent yesterday and she ASSURED me that, under Seller Protection Program, I will not be forced to refund the customer since tracking shows that I did my part. She was vehement in her stance that I am protected and eBay has my back.
I have several items that were shipped out the first few days in December and they have yet to be delivered by USPS. They've all reached their destination states (all east coast) but are getting hung up there.
Why can't eBay stand behind their sellers and eat the cost? We all know d*mn well that the customer is going to be refunded and will also, eventually, receive their item, and they are under NO obligation to either return the item or re-issue payment. I pay every fee imaginable to eBay - store subscription, FVF, promotion fee - on top of Free Shipping, Free Returns, Volume Pricing and Markdowns. Don't tell me eBay can't eat this cost and refund my buyers on my behalf.
