Seller sent wrong (cheaper) item

[mateipostelnicescu]

Hi guys,

I'm having a problem with a seller. I bought a camera tripod for $30 and I received a much smaller tripod worth $15 on ebay.

Seller replied that I would have to return it back to China for a full refund. Shipping from Europe to China would be $18. If I would have to cover return shipping, I would remain with $12.

So I asked the seller if he would cover return shipping and he said that he will, but only after he receives the item.

I don't know if I should trust him, am I being covered by ebay / paypal in such situations?

What would you fellow members recommend or what was you experience?

[southern*sweet*tea]

File a not as described complaint through Ebay. The seller will be required to provide a prepaid shipping label. If he cannot do so, he is required to send YOU the money to buy a label WITH TRACKING. You will have to get your own shipping quote, then let the seller know the amount.

If the seller does not comply, escalate the case to Ebay when the link to do so becomes available - I think it's three days.  Once you escalate the case, Ebay will force the return and you'll be refunded.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Of course you should not trust him.  He has already tried to cheat you once.  Click on the link at the bottom of this page for the Resolution Center and file a claim for "does not match seller's description."

[mateipostelnicescu]

Thanks guys, I filed a "not as described" complaint, hopefuly this will cover the return shipping.

[mateipostelnicescu]

Ok so the seller accepted the return but didn't provide a return shipping label. Ebay says that "The seller is still responsible for return shipping costs, so contact them to arrange return shipping". But he won't provide this label. What are my options? I have limited time to send the item back. I don't want just to send it and then ebay close the deal. I need to be assured that i will have my refund and money spent on return shipping.

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@mateipostelnicescu wrote:
Ok so the seller accepted the return but didn't provide a return shipping label. Ebay says that "The seller is still responsible for return shipping costs, so contact them to arrange return shipping". But he won't provide this label. What are my options? I have limited time to send the item back. I don't want just to send it and then ebay close the deal. I need to be assured that i will have my refund and money spent on return shipping.

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The seller likely can't provide a label since its international. They do need to offer the funds upfront to pay for return shipping with a service that has tracking.   Tell the seller how much it will be to send back with an online tracking service and to send you the money so you can return.  If they don't provide it eBay should still refund you without requiring a return 

[mateipostelnicescu]

So no matter what the seller does or asks, I should NOT pay return shipping up front. He should send the money first, then i'll ship the item. If he refuses, I should ask ebay to step in. Am I right?

[mateipostelnicescu]

I have checked and there is no option to ask ebay to step in. My only options are:
Mark as shipped
Contact seller
Close this return

How do I proceed from here? Seller already agreed with the return process but won't offer shipping money upfront.

[mateipostelnicescu]

Also the return adress is different. Ebay says to ship the package to a US address, seller tells me to ship to China, but on the package there is a label that says "if lost, please return package to Belgium". So where should I ship? And should I pay upfront for the shipping and then let ebay know that I would expect a reimburse?

[pjcdn2005]

eBay is not going to reimburse you for the label and they have no way of forcing the seller to do so. You must get the money for shipping before sending the item back.

Since the return address on eBay is in the US I'm not sure how that would work if you sent the item to China as delivery confirmation would not show the item delivered to the return address. The seller is allowed to have the item sent back to another country if they are paying for the label but I would think that they would have to have the correct return address on the listing. I'll ask an ebay rep to comment.

@Anonymous 

[Anonymous]

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@mateipostelnicescu wrote:

Hi guys,

I'm having a problem with a seller. I bought a camera tripod for $30 and I received a much smaller tripod worth $15 on ebay.

Seller replied that I would have to return it back to China for a full refund. Shipping from Europe to China would be $18. If I would have to cover return shipping, I would remain with $12.

So I asked the seller if he would cover return shipping and he said that he will, but only after he receives the item.

I don't know if I should trust him, am I being covered by ebay / paypal in such situations?

What would you fellow members recommend or what was you experience?

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Hi @mateipostelnicescu, you are covered if you return the tripod to the address that either the seller or eBay has provided to you. The seller is responsible for return shipping costs and if they have not provided either a prepaid shipping label or funds to you directly through PayPal. If they do not provide this, you will be able to ask eBay to step in after three full business days have passed from when you opened the return request - as soon as this option becomes available, it will be visible in the return request. eBay can step in to ensure you are provided with return compensation and after that point, if the seller still does not provide this to you, we would guarantee a refund to you. 

At this time we recommend you continue to work with your seller regarding return shipping. Once they have provided a label or compensation, be sure to upload the return tracking information directly into the case for our records. Tracking to confirm return delivery is required unless the seller specifically states they do not need tracking for the return - in that case, we would just need proof that the item was shipped back to the seller's return address provided by either the seller or eBay to protect you.

If you have any specific questions, you are welcome to contact Customer Service to go over the details of your request.

[mateipostelnicescu]

Thanks Trinton, this answers most of my questions.
What if I decided to accept a partial refund and keep ( try to sell the item myself afterwards), just to avoid this trouble, would I be able to do that? To cancel the return by choosing the "close this return" option?

[orangehound]

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@mateipostelnicescu wrote:
Thanks Trinton, this answers most of my questions.
What if I decided to accept a partial refund and keep ( try to sell the item myself afterwards), just to avoid this trouble, would I be able to do that? To cancel the return by choosing the "close this return" option?

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If the seller is offering a partial refund, make sure you receive the partial refund FIRST before closing the return.  This seller seems to be doing several questionable things, and I wouldn't trust them.

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@mateipostelnicescu wrote:
Thanks Trinton, this answers most of my questions.
What if I decided to accept a partial refund and keep ( try to sell the item myself afterwards), just to avoid this trouble, would I be able to do that? To cancel the return by choosing the "close this return" option?

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I would not do that myself   

[mateipostelnicescu]

The "ask ebay to step in" option is still not available in the return request, even though 3 full business days have passed.
I cannot work things out with the seller, please help.