First, a seller cannot do this ... but there is a reason that the seller is doing this. You can proceed one of two ways.
Way #1 is to have mercy on the seller, either by paying up or allowing the cancellation.
- Items from China and that region normally abuse our USPS by using shipping channels that are much, much cheaper than any US-based seller can obtain. During the coronavirus pandemic, these channels are effectively blocked ... they can't send your item that dirt cheap way, and you won't receive it.
- So, this seller is offering an alternative shipping channel that is actually moving during these times: express.
- Realistically, the only way to get this item from China or that region is to have it sent express.
Way #2 is to hold the seller to their terms ... but, you probably won't get the item.
- Reply back that you want the order shipped according to the terms of the sale, and if the seller attempts to unethically cancel then you'll contact eBay and report them for violating eBay's Selling Practices policy by attempting to change the shipping terms after the sale, and/or cancelling a purchase with an incorrect reason.
- The seller may cancel the sale. If they use "out of stock" then this is the correct cancellation, but it results in a nasty Seller Defect for the seller ... so sellers avoid that reason. This particular seller wants you to agree to the cancellation so he can cancel with "buyer requested cancellation" ... there's no Seller Defect for that reason. If you stick to the agreement, the seller may falsely use "problem with buyer's address" in order to avoid a Seller Defect. You can contact eBay to tell them that this is not true, and the seller is circumventing a Seller Defect dishonestly.
My final advertisement: buy from American suppliers ... yes, you pay a little more, but (a) American suppliers tend to be more honest and give better customer service, (b) eBay buyer protections for American suppliers are straightforward, and buyer protections for China sellers are full of confusing loopholes, and (c) American suppliers pay what it costs to ship, rather than harming our USPS by under-paying postage.
