Seller wants me to return item to different address

[keedun-73]

Howdy, I bought a GPU from eBay recently that was described: "Open Box like new with no wear" got the card and turns out it's absolutely Used and to describe the card as "like new with no wear" is very insulting because one of the stickers on the card is discolored, along with the connector having marks, meaning it's been used in somebodies motherboard while it got sold as "like new with no wear"

So I started a return and they(seller) accepted it, I've had two confirmation emails from eBay prompting me to print out the label and send it back. However, the seller has repeatedly messaged me saying that the eBay return label has the wrong address and the seller is refusing to correct it. (they say it can't be edited and they're refusing to buy a new shipping label)

So basically, I don't trust the seller and I just want my refund. Do I ship it using the "wrong" eBay label? or do I buy my own shipping label and ship it to their "correct" address?

I can find virtually nothing about this situation via a google search. Other then a really old archived thread saying just send it with the eBay label.

Thanks in advance.

[electronics510]

Use the label. Do not buy a new label, do not ship elsewhere unless it comes from eBay directly. After you ship it, apologize and tell the seller you were confused and didn't know what to do.

Then wait for delivery and your refund.

I sympathize with the seller because I moved once and forgot to change my address, then had a return before I changed it on my account, but I could hardly blame that on my buyer.

Shipping to some alternate address leaves you exposed and you will likely not get your money back.

[acrc3113]

Only use the shipping label eBay provided. Whenever the item is received on the other end, the seller is required to refund.  If the seller does not, you can ask eBay to step in. You get your money and seller gets a defect. The seller's problem is not your problem.

[acrc3113]

Hopefully, it was a US based seller. Overseas returns can take a long time. If the seller was drop shipping, it's still his/her problem. Don't forget to keep an eye on the return's tracking.

[keedun-73]

Thank you both for your quick replies, it's an awkward situation to be in because I obviously want to return it properly, but after mislabeling the condition of the item, and trying to be dismissive about my return claim (while also accepting it) I don't trust the seller enough to take that risk. Especially considering they could (according to themselves) buy a new ebay label, they just want me to pay for shipping, which in the case of misleading items, is wrong.*

I'll try and keep this updated with my progress as to help anyone else who might encounter this issue. planning on shipping it tonight. Thank you again.

*Edit: When the item description is misleading, it is on the Seller to pay for return shipping, from what I've read on the internet. So trying to get me to pay for it, is wrong.

[mtgraves7984]

"... I obviously want to return it properly..."

@keedun-73 

Yes... the previous posters are correct. The seller has the ability to enter his/her address(es), so the seller is charged with having the correct return address on file with eBay. Logic would dictate that if the seller had moved, he/she would have in a USPS forwarding order. Send it to the address on the label. Good luck.

[electronics510]

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@keedun-73 wrote:

*Edit: When the item description is misleading, it is on the Seller to pay for return shipping, from what I've read on the internet. So trying to get me to pay for it, is wrong.

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If you concerned about ethics, it might be worth reporting the situation to eBay in case this seller has used this tactic to avoid refunds in the past. I doubt they have, but you never know. If they have, you might find yourself with a refund a lot sooner.

But other than that I wouldn't get into the ethics of it. Any number of things could be going on here.

[kensgiftshop]

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@keedun-73 wrote:

 I don't trust the seller enough to take that risk.

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Some sellers think if they give you a bad address and the item never gets delivered there, they don't don't have to refund, but it doesn't work that way.

Just use the shipping label Ebay gave you.

The seller had a chance to change the address before they had Ebay send you the label.

[keedun-73]

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@electronics510 wrote:

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If you concerned about ethics, it might be worth reporting the situation to eBay in case this seller has used this tactic to avoid refunds in the past.

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I'm not particularly concerned about reporting the seller like you said, there's any number of things that could be happening, and I don't want to assume malice. With that being said, I'm still of course going for the refund as the product I received was in unacceptable condition for "like new with no wear"

So I notified the Seller that I was using the eBay return label against their wishes, and they responded by telling me as long as the eBay return label has the same address as the "correct" one they've messaged me like 8 times, that they didn't care. but in the same message they said they couldn't edit the label... I'm really at a loss here.

I'm heading out to ship the item with the eBay return label now. what a bizarre situation.

[goldguy22k · Accepted solution]

Just hold fast.  Using the label eBay provide is your only move to stay protected under the eBay Money Back Guarantee (MBG).   At this point I'd quit worrying and stop corresponding with the seller.  You are to be commended that your are trying so hard to do the right things, but the Seller created this mess.

When the tracking shows the item was delivered, then seller will have a few days to issue the refund.  If not, you ask eBay to step in and eBay will issue you a refund from the seller's funds.  That's all you need to do.  Don't get excited or worried, just sit back and relax and let the process work itself out.

Of course if you have questions as things go along, come back here and ASK.  Don't guess as what to do, just ask.

Note: for any sellers out there that made this mistake, you might be able to go to the USPS and ask that the package be redirected.  USPS had a Package Intercept process.....

https://www.usps.com/manage/package-intercept.htm

Cost is $14.65.

[keedun-73]

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@goldguy22k wrote:

Just hold fast.  Using the label eBay provide is your only move to stay protected under the eBay Money Back Guarantee (MBG).   

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Marking this as the accepted solution, for anyone in the future who has this same issue.

I just dropped the package off at the post office (with the eBay label) so it's out of my hands now. Thank you all again for the advice, I will update this discussion with what ends up happening. and/or if I have more questions.

[keedun-73]

UPDATE:

Okay, so the seller has messaged me a couple of times saying that the package is going to be sent back to me and that this is my fault, because "they told me the correct address 10 times and I still managed to send it to the wrong one".

Regardless, the item is still in transit to the destination, it hasn't arrived anywhere yet, so I'm assuming my best course of action is to just continue waiting, as I can't seem to find the "ask eBay to step in" option on the return details page.

So I have a few questions:

- What do I do if the Seller ships the Item back to me after the Item arrived to the address on the eBay return label?

- What do I do if the Seller intercepted (USPS) the package and had it returned to my address?

- Can I block the seller on eBay and not lose out on my refund? (can you even block people on eBay?)

Thanks again.

(and for the record I have not communicated with the Seller after telling them that I was sending the package using the eBay return label 9 days ago.)

[goldguy22k]

@keedun-73 

Let's see if I can come up with good answers for you....😎

What do I do if the Seller ships the Item back to me after the Item arrived to the address on the eBay return label?

If the tracking number shows the return package was delivered OR the tracking shows something like "delivery attempted" or "refused"  or "awaiting pick up/then returned to sender" then you have met your obligation to return the item.  Go talk to eBay CS and get the case closed in your favor.  (Details on the FB might be the best bet?)   As others have noted, it is the seller's responsibility to have the correct address in the eBay system such that when a return label is printed it is correct.   Once you get a full refund, you can keep the item or if that bothers your conscience have the seller send a label for the correct address.  Communicate only through eBay messaging system.

What do I do if the Seller intercepted (USPS) the package and had it returned to my address?

Again, a seller messing with the return shipment voids his/her protection under the MBG.  Get a hold of eBay CS and get your money back.   Seller in returning it to you just sent you a "gift!"  Don't sweat this until it happens.  Seller would have to be a box-o-rocks (BOR) to do something like this.

Can I block the seller on eBay and not lose out on my refund? (can you even block people on eBay?)

Yes and no.  Sellers CAN block buyers and prevent them from buying, but buyers can not block sellers.  I think the point is that sellers are given a chance to avoid those buyers that wasted their time or cost  them money.  Many block a lot, some block no one.  But you may wish to keep a text file of BOR sellers so that when you are shopping you can avoid them.  That's what I do.  Blocking a buyer is independent of the MBG refund process.  IF you could block this seller (you can't) it would not effect the return process.

[ra_201044]

(they say it can't be edited and they're refusing to buy a new shipping label)

Well, return labels aren't charged until they are used, so that excuse doesn't fly. The seller could simply fix their return address in ebay and generate/send another return label.

[goldguy22k]

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@goldguy22k wrote:

What do I do if the Seller intercepted (USPS) the package and had it returned to my address?

Again, a seller messing with the return shipment voids his/her protection under the MBG.  Get a hold of eBay CS and get your money back.   Seller in returning it to you just sent you a "gift!"  Don't sweat this until it happens.  Seller would have to be a box-o-rocks (BOR) to do something like this.

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Buy saying a seller who redirects a package must be a Box-o-rocks I mean that the seller thinks they are cleaver and can send it back to you, then claim, "Hey, I never got the package!  I don't have to give a refund."  Problem is that is just plain ignorant (uneducated).  The MBG doesn't work that way.  Seller is headed for a forced refund and you would get to keep the item,  Plus the seller would end up with an unresolved case defect on their account, at least. 

I mean if you are a seller and are going to give up the slim seller protections, at least get the item back to limit your losses!  Why would any seller walk then self into a Maximum Loss scenario?  So if a seller wanted to redirect the package, they should have it send to whatever address they were telling you to use.  But again, once the redirect is filed, eBay considers the item delivered and you are entitled to a refund.