Returning misrepresented item but new packaging required

[snoman159]

I purchased an item about a month ago that was listed as used but did not disclose it was non-functioning.  After some back and forth with the seller they agreed to a partial refund which was sent but once I accepted I got an eBay error message that something had happened and they asked the seller to resend the refund.  I'm 2 weeks further down the road, seller initially responded they would try the refund process again but have not responded in over a week and no refund has been sent.  I asked eBay to step in and they want me to send the item back for a full refund.  Not my desired course of action (I'd rather just get the partial refund so I can repair the item back to usable condition).  The problem I have is USPS will not accept the the return shipment in the box that it arrived in.  The box is soaked in fuel or oil or something and they will not accept.  It is a large item and the packaging materials will be fairly expensive.  Is there a way to get these packaging costs refunded as well?  The seller didn't accept returns but eBay decided in my favor.  How can I reach out to eBay about this?  I feel like I'm in a bad spot where I'm going to be paying out of pocket to send back a misrepresented item, or just keeping it and being out the money to repair it back to working condition.  I can't respond to the eBay judgement and right now I'm out of time to work with a non-responsive seller.  Do I have any other options?

[simba6]

I don't think ebay will cover packing for a return.  Just get an old box to cover the box it came in.

[fa_8305]

You can print out the messages your seller did not respond to run out the clock, enclose those with a note to contact you within a specific time limit to arrange the post-office-declined return with new packaging, and affix the return label to get you refund before the deadline. Then, if you seller still does not respond, consider the matter closed.

[snoman159]

I don't fully follow this.  I have contacted the seller that the post office will not accept the return.  Won't eBay just close my claim once the clock runs out and I have not provided tracking information?  At that point I would not get a refund of any kind.

[ed8108]

There is always risk when buying, possible inconvenience & perhaps the loss of some money may result.

Buy a box, tape, packing materials & return this item to your seller.

[snoman159]

All good points but when the box is large and the item requires specialized packaging. I shouldn't be out over $50 on a purchase that was plainly misrepresented which is why eBay granted the return in my favor despite the seller not accepting returns.  

[freeshippingsteve]

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@snoman159 wrote:

I shouldn't be out over $50

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Well, now I'm curious. What did you buy that requires $50.00 in shipping supplies?

[snoman159]

Insecticide thermal fogger.  It requires a box over 60" and nobody within 60 miles of me carries shipping supplies.  One of the local hardware stores offered to order one in and because its an order of 1 and they likely can't move the rest of the minimum order quantity on a box like that I'm getting screwed on the price.  Uline wanted around $140 for a MOQ of 10 pcs on that box size.  

Kind of a losing proposition living in a small town.  I'd just cover up the soaked area on the box but since it is over half of the box and I've already went through this with the local post office they will not accept unless it comes in a different box.

[disneyshopper]

Have you tried checking your local Wal-Mart or grocery store for a suitable box?  Maybe U-Haul might have a box, since they sell boxes for moving.

[snoman159]

Yeah, I checked with the local hardware and appliance stores.  The nearest Walmart is over 60 miles from me, and a U-Haul store is probably over 100 miles...which is part of the pain of living in a small town.  I'm out of my return window now but was able to get the case re-reviewed by eBay to see if we can resolve it as initially discussed so I'm just waiting for that feedback now.  Thank you for the suggestion.

[fab_finds4u]

eBay already decided in favor of the buyer. When the seller didn't respond with a partial refund eBay stepped in and the buyer has to return it for a full refund. eBay doesn't care i you don't have a box to return it in.

If the original shipping container is all torn up or messed up the buyer has to find another box, Don't have one and it's too far to get one isn't a defense. There's a dadgum store of some kind near everyone..  I get boxes from dollar general and from my grocery store and CVS. I think buyer could find a box if  they wanted too.  They might have to tape a couple of boxes together if they can't find one long enough. Just don't  pick a box that bleach or wine or motor oil came in. Or turn the boxes inside out.

[fab_finds4u]

Correct.  During Covid-19  eBay is giving you 10 days to put it in the mail. If you don't  then eventually the case will close with no refund.

[snoman159]

Turns out there was more to the story with USPS.  Had the hardware store call me back Friday - they just got a shipment of product in so I went and grabbed a big box while I was awaiting eBay's response and got it cut down to fit.  Back to USPS to get things sorted out there in case I was given the option to send back despite the return window being closed.  I was told they still would not ship...and was directed to their website to review the hazmat policy around gasoline.  Since the item was used and contained a gasoline burning engine it is not shippable due to potential fuel residue.  This document outlines that even used fuel tanks are not shippable unless drained, dried, and purged.  All makes sense, but I'm not taking this thing completely apart to dry out the lines, carburetor, fuel tank, etc and end up damaging something in the process (I'd imagine the seller would be able to file a claim anyhow if the item was returned damaged?).  We will see what eBay says but looking like I'll be spending some money to get it back to running condition.  A lesson learned.

I'm not sure why they made such a stink about it other than maybe the original box being saturated in gas or something put the red flag up when I first came in.  Here is a link that explains it pretty clearly in case anyone is interested (which I found on an arborist site talking about shipping chainsaws, coincidentally):  https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2006/html/pb22180/pb17f-s_002.html