how to make best of messed up return/refund as buyer

[ericlovescameras]

i bought an item. the seller took a long time to give it to usps. i sent the seller a message about it. they responded sorry, created a shipping label, but did not take the item to usps until a few days later.

the end of delivery window arrived. i bought the item at a brick and mortar store and requested a return through paypal (i could not yet through ebay because it had not arrived). the seller responded through ebay, "No worries for the return . I have provided you a full refund and just keep the [item] free of charge due to poor execution."

the refund did not process through ebay or paypal. usps tracking updated, and showed that the item will arrive today/tomorrow (04/10).

i responded through ebay that the refund had not processed, and likely would when the item arrived tomorrow (04/10). through ebay, i said when the item arrived and the refund processed, i would attempt to return their unused/unopened item to the store. if successful i would send them half the money back (keeping half myself to pay for time going to the store twice and once waiting in the return line which will happen tomorrow).

the seller and i both messed up. i'm trying to make the best of it for both of us, as ebay makes it hard for both the seller and buyer. so which will happen ...

1. item arrives tomorrow

2. refund automatically processes through paypal

or

1. item arrives tomorrow

2. i have to forget about the paypal return request and request the return through ebay?

then, assuming the store takes back unused/unopened item the seller sent, how should i best send them half the money back? through paypal friends & family using my balance so no additional fee is taken?

thanks.

[wastingtime101]

If you paid with your PayPal balance and the seller refunded you it would be instant. The refund has nothing to do with the package delivery.

Check your PayPal account to see if a refund was processed. If it was then you can keep the item as the seller suggested or you can refuse the package/return to sender when it arrives. Don't refuse the package unless you've already been refunded.

[ericlovescameras]

i paid with credit card (i think; small chance i paid with a card through paypal). the refund has NOT processed. i capitalize for clarity; i'm certainly not yelling. i have confirmed this through both my paypal and credit card account. 

also, living in an apartment, i have no chance of refusing the package. i would not do so anyway, as the refund has not processed. 

thank you for the reply.

[haha-607197]

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@ericlovescameras wrote:

the end of delivery window arrived.

requested a return through paypal (i could not yet through ebay because it had not arrived).

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You can start a refund request the day after the latest estimated delivery date because the item has not arrived, the seller can immediately refund, else you can ask eBay to refund after 3 business days.

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@ericlovescameras wrote:
i said when the item arrived and the refund processed, i would attempt to return their unused/unopened item to the store.

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This is fraud.

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@ericlovescameras wrote:

the seller responded through ebay, "No worries for the return . I have provided you a full refund and just keep the [item] free of charge due to poor execution."

the refund did not process through ebay or paypal.

1. item arrives tomorrow

2. refund automatically processes through paypal

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Refunds are indicated immediately at PayPal (where your active return case would have automatically closed) and at eBay (a modified currency icon signifies a refund) even if the actual cash has not yet processed. So there was no refund.

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@ericlovescameras wrote:

i have to forget about the paypal return request and request the return through ebay?

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Once you move on to PayPal, you cannot go back to eBay to start a case.

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@ericlovescameras wrote:

how should i best send them half the money back? through paypal friends & family using my balance so no additional fee is taken?

---

If you don't have a refund through the active PayPal return case, you're not ready yet to send/spend half of the amount back in non-negotiable funds.

[ericlovescameras]

ok, so you have moral/legal objection to me returning his item to the store because it is technically not the same (i guess the difference would be serial numbers). so let's say i do not do that and just focus on the refund. it has not processed. what should i do? why has the paypal refund not processed? will it when the item arrives?

i have already made the mistake of requesting a return through paypal after the delivery window passed. 

[wastingtime101]

You will have to pay for return shipping and upload the tracking information to the return on PayPal. Once the package is delivered to the seller you can get your refund.

[ericlovescameras]

i should not have to pay for return shipping. the item did not arrive in the promised window. also, the seller already stated s/he did not want the item back. 

ahh, i can tell this is going to be even more difficult than i expected. usually this community knows what to do. i think my original post was not clear.

[wastingtime101]

Your original post was clear, but you messed up. You opened a claim on PayPal instead of waiting a day and opening a claim on eBay. That means you forfeited your access to a prepaid return shipping label.

PayPal has a program where they'll cover return shipping up to $30 per year, but you need to be registered for the program before you make the purchase you're returning.

[ericlovescameras]

i am aware i messed up. it's in the title.

the seller does not want the item back. 

[wastingtime101]

That doesn't mean anything if they're not willing to refund voluntarily. All you can do is ask the seller again if they plan to refund and if they don't then you'll need to return the item for a refund.

Also, I know you're aware you messed up. I wasn't rubbing it in your face, I was responding to your comment in the above post, "I should not have to pay for return shipping." Because you opened the case on PayPal you may have to pay for return shipping if you want a refund.

[ericlovescameras]

should i ask through ebay or paypal? they stated they were willing to refund. they said they already had. i don't believe they are lying, but likely do not realize it did not refund. 

thank you for clarifying you are not rubbing it in my face (that is sincere). i am just trying to figure out the best solution that puts both me the buyer and the seller out as little as possible. 

[ericlovescameras]

i think i am going to have to wait until tomorrow and see what happens when the item arrives. the seller seems very reasonable. i'm sure we will be able to work it out. 

[wastingtime101]

Good luck, buddy. I hope you and the seller can resolve it quickly. Keep an eye on the timelines in PayPal just in case.

[ericlovescameras]

thank you. i hope to resolve it tomorrow. worst cast scenario, i have two of the item and one is a gift. it is a camping lighter, so i have lots of friends and family who would appreciate it.

[ericlovescameras]

it's not looking like the seller is going to stick to his word given over ebay.

still, i'm giving the seller until the end of monday (4/14) to respond or take action due to the holiday weekend before escalating on payal. does anyone know if i can upload screen shots from their ebay responses promising a refund in the paypal escalation process? i know you cannot on ebay. as i have messages from the seller on ebay saying they were issuing the refund, if i can on use screenshots paypal i think it would give me a reasonable my case. if i cannot, i will likely just close the case, gift the other lighter, and leave negative ebay feedback on tuesday 04/14 (unless i can open a small claims court case over $40; i know this would be a waste of resources but it is the principel). because paypal likely does not acknowledge ebay's delivery window, so other than him telling me on ebay he was issuing a refund i don't know i have any evidence in my favor. 

thanks.