Return an item before it arrives

[stevezearle_0]

Basicly I ordered an item but didnt realize it would take 1-2 months to arrive (FREE Economy Shipping from outside US) so its in the process of shipping to me i ordered it a week ago but the tracking shows it hasnt passed any facilitys. I was wondering if I could return the item while its still shipping, the item says buyer pays return shipping I was also wondering how much that would cost. I was hoping to get the item in like 2 weeks as thats when I would need it 2 months is too long to wait for it. Is it possible or will I have to just wait for it to arrive? I plan on ordering the same item from another seller but one thats already in the US.

[chrysylys]

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@stevezearle_0wrote:

 Is it possible or will I have to just wait for it to arrive?

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Yes.

You can't return something you don't have.

[orangehound · Accepted solution]

You cannot return it until you receive it.  But, there are some important things keep in mind.

1. Your first step is to try to cancel the sale through the eBay system.  I assume you have already tried this, but I mention it just in case you have not.
2. There should be a date that the item is supposed to arrive.  If it doesn't arrive by that date, file a claim with eBay for "Item not received" ... normally, I would assume your seller will get it to you by this date, but there are some sellers that will string you along and sometimes buyers never receive their item.
3. There is also a return deadline.  This is going to be 30 days or 60 days, depending upon the listing.  Make sure you begin the return before that deadline passes.
4. To do an international return, eBay does not expect international sellers to provide return shipping labels ... but, rather, eBay expects you to buy the return shipping and for the seller to reimburse you for those costs.  Be very careful with how you navigate this process because there are many stories of how sellers never get reimbursed.   The most important point is to ensure that the return package has tracking all the way to the seller's address - I am assuming this is a China seller, and since China is a 3rd world country, the only way to get tracking all the way back to the seller is to use one of the more expensive USPS services, or services by UPS/DHL/FedEx.   eBay only backs you up if tracking demonstrates delivery back to the seller, and the cheaper USPS services stop tracking the package once it leaves the US.

[missjen831]

The first step is not an option. Buyers can only request a cancellation through ebays system within 1 hour of purchase. And on international returns if the item is SNAD eBay does not expect the buyer to pay for return shipping and get reimbursed by the seller. The seller is expected to pay upfront and the buyer will get a refund without returning if the seller refuses to pay and the buyer escalates to eBay 🙂

[pburn]

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@missjen831wrote:

And on international returns if the item is SNAD eBay does not expect the buyer to pay for return shipping and get reimbursed by the seller. 

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But, to be clear, @missjen831, you're not advocating the buyer report the item as SNAD if it isn't, right? Or are you considering that the lengthy delivery time frame is included as part of a SNAD status? (Not snark. Truly asking.)

[missjen831]

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@pburnwrote:

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@missjen831wrote:

And on international returns if the item is SNAD eBay does not expect the buyer to pay for return shipping and get reimbursed by the seller. 

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But, to be clear, @missjen831, you're not advocating the buyer report the item as SNAD if it isn't, right? Or are you considering that the lengthy delivery time frame is included as part of a SNAD status? (Not snark. Truly asking.)

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No not advocating the buyer file an SNAD. However if it arrives after the latest delivery estimate then it qualifies as SNAD. 

[pburn]

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@missjen831wrote:

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However if it arrives after the latest delivery estimate then it qualifies as SNAD. 

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I didn't realize that! Good to know!