Want to return an item (not as described) but seller hasn't accepted PayPal payment

[redbarchetta-74]

Two weeks ago, I purchased and submitted payment for an item. I have a PayPal transaction ID number confirming this.

The item arrived this weekend, and I immediately noticed it is not as was described in the original listing. I want to pursue a return and refund.

However, the seller still has yet to accept payment, so I cannot initiate the normal return/refund process. I sent email to the seller a few days after I submitted payment asking for status on the shipment (seller didn't understand what was going on, and shipping the item without accepting payment). I sent email requesting refund/return this past weekend, hoping for a positive reply soon.

The seller appears to be new to eBay (no real history), so I am trying to give him/her the benefit of the doubt. However, I am getting concerned that I will be stuck with an item I did not want because of a loophole in eBay's return/refund policy.

Has anyone had a similar experience, or advice on how to get eBay to step in if needed?

[fab_finds4u]

Don't worry about returning it. He shouldn't have shipped it if he didn't accept the payment. Maybe his email address doesn't match his PayPal address. Maybe he hasn't linked his accounts. If the payment hasn't been accepted after 30 days it will be automatically returned to you.

[redbarchetta-74]

Thanks for the reply, fab. I guess I'll either eventually get the money back, or a chance to return the item.

I just read elsewhere that new accounts with PayPal have something like a 21 day lag time before they can process payments? Perhaps that's an issue at play here.

[bonjourami]

If there was a hold, the funds would still go to the sellers account.It would just show being on hold to him.

[redbarchetta-74]

Thanks for the reply, BA.

[redbarchetta-74]

Update: seller has finally accepted PayPal payment (29 days later, by my count), so I can now initiate the normal return/refund process.

[donsdetour]

"29 days" make sure you do it now.

You have been stalled, use the resolution center.

You should have filled a item not as described prior to this.

If you can not use eBay (Time has ran out).  Use PayPal.