Seller from China Accepted Return for Defective Item, but says they cant send Shipping Label

[eyem4jesus]

I bought a new watch (about $200) from a seller in China.  It was DOA. Its mechanical, so no batteries.  I contacted the seller, and opened a return request.  They accepted, and told me to ship it back.  I asked for a shipping label, and they stated they couldnt provide one.  They offered to reimburse me for the shipping after they receive it. Its $14.25 for me to send it back.  Any experience or advise?

[anste35]

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@eyem4jesus wrote:

Not certain if anyone will read this older thread, but I wanted to update just in case.  The shipping company "ship2asia", was the cheapest option that provided tracking, and the item arrived. The seller stated that the item was received, and that a replacement would be shipped.  The shipping website was not a scam! Phew!

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you really believe the seller will send you a new watch? oh boy....

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@eyem4jesus wrote:

Not certain if anyone will read this older thread, but I wanted to update just in case.  The shipping company "ship2asia", was the cheapest option that provided tracking, and the item arrived. The seller stated that the item was received, and that a replacement would be shipped.  The shipping website was not a scam! Phew!

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Please do not believe the seller is sending a

replacemend. If you actually have tracking showing delivered back get a refund 

[eyem4jesus]

Update.  I contacted the seller yesterday, and they said that the replacement item has been shipped,  and provided a tracking number.  I found a Chinese Postage Tracking Site, and they confirmed that an item with that tracking number has been sent.  I understand that I have no way of knowing if that package contains the correct item, but I think it fair to wait and see if it arrives.  I have plenty of documented communication between me and the seller detailing each part of this process, and I can file a claim if the item does not show up, or if it is not the correct item.  

Aside from that,  I come to this forum to learn.  I try to offer some advice, but I feel like I learn more than I am able to teach others.  I appreciate the good advice that I have found along the way.  What I do not find helpful is condensending remarks.  It accomplishes nothing.

I will update if/when this package arrives, or what conclusion is reached. 

[6-star]

Hello

I found that your response back was very helpful! Not because I had a problem, but because it is good information that can be used both ways. I understand why the China vendor cannot send label - the Chinese government subsidizes the shipping for all vendors in China. This is partly why US Companies have a tough time competing with these vendors. Many are deceitful as to their location as well - having a US address but using China Post to deliver goods. I blame the US Government for not taking some action against this because the USPS treats it like any other package that US vendors pay full price for!

I'm glad that you got part of your money back - most people don't!

And Thanks for the good tip on the website with your reply post!

[eyem4jesus]

Update: The seller came through, and I received my replacement watch today. This was a challenging transaction, but the seller did the right thing

[creoleorchid]

You were very lucky indeed on the replacement. I would  never ever opt for replacement over refund and here’s why.

eBay gives you 30 days past the original estimated delivery date to to file for a refund. If the replacement is DOA it will very likely arrive past that date especially to and from China. You would still be able to file with PayPal up to 180 days but they will make you pay return shipping. 

Just get your refund and make a new purchase. Preferably not from China. And 96% positive is terrible for a high volume seller. I hope your watch is still running by the time I finish typing this. 

[the_fancy_fox]

Glad it worked out for you. Many are not as lucky.

[eyem4jesus]

I have had as much success dealing with sellers from China as I have anywhere else.  I took a risk on this one, as this item was only available for sale from China. I have purchased from this seller previously, and have been pleased with each purchase. I learned a lot from this whole return process, and it was mostly free education.  As far as domestic sellers go, I have dealt with a few with poor communication, bad attitudes, scammers, etc.  The logistics involved with buying and sometimes returning to China are inherently challenging, and that is what I sign up for each time I choose to do business there.  My main take away from all this is that not ever seller is a scammer, regardless of their geographical location. 

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@eyem4jesus wrote:

I have had as much success dealing with sellers from China as I have anywhere else.  I took a risk on this one, as this item was only available for sale from China. I have purchased from this seller previously, and have been pleased with each purchase. I learned a lot from this whole return process, and it was mostly free education.  As far as domestic sellers go, I have dealt with a few with poor communication, bad attitudes, scammers, etc.  The logistics involved with buying and sometimes returning to China are inherently challenging, and that is what I sign up for each time I choose to do business there.  My main take away from all this is that not ever seller is a scammer, regardless of their geographical location. 

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You did get lucky on this one though.  It's a pretty common scam when buying from China to be told a replacement will be sent when no replacement is really going to be sent.  We see it happen often on these board.  That particular scam doesn't work as well with domestic transactions because generally buyers aren't going to have to wait as long for the replacement While waiting for the replacement from China often pushes the buyer past the date to file with eBay.  we also see a lot of buyer get burned when they have no online tracking to show they sent an item back to China.

[eyem4jesus]

I don’t know if you are still typing, but this watch is amazing. It is a complete game changer of the “made in China” connotation.

[eyem4jesus]

Yep. I actually thought they would send me a replacement. Was that naive? Maybe. Did I get an awesome watch that is hard to come by? Yep. I am really glad that I hung in there.