eBay

frogpants1701 · ‎10-16-2020

I've been on eBay a long time, but I've never had a situation like this. I purchased a video card and the box arrived heavily damaged. The box for the actual item inside was heavily damaged as well and the item doesn't work. I took pics, got with the seller, etc. He accepted the return, no problem. It's super unfortunate, but he was cool about it. When I asked for a return label, he told me he'd made a personal arrangement with UPS and they'd pick up the box at my house. When I asked for the label, he said there was no label. Just tape up the box and put it outside. I then told him I was going out of town and would much rather drop it off at a UPS location, with a label. He then responded by saying he was just following UPS protocol. Then he even provided a copy of a chat he had with eBay CS where the rep told him I needed to trust the unlabeled box with one of my neighbors if I couldn't be home. I don't have the option to chat with CS right now since we're in day 1 of an open case.

So perhaps I'm wrong...and if I am that's fine, learning moment...but this all seems weird to me. If I don't have a label, how am I supposed to prove I returned it? I'm out $500 right now. Also, how in the world is a return possible without a return label? Even if they provided one to him, he should be able to provide it to me. The 'chat' log from an eBay rep has me concerned as well. This is day 1 of an open case...if I wait until the last day to escalate, will they find in the sellers favor because I declined to leave my unlabeled box with a complete stranger for pickup when I'm not even home? I just want a return label. That's all.

Advice from those more experienced than myself would be appreciated. I'm willing to work with the seller here, I just don't want to sacrifice my protections as a buyer.

kensgiftshop · ‎10-16-2020

@frogpants1701

Go to the resolution center below and select, the item doesn't match the description.

The seller will have 3 days to accept the return and provide a return shipping label or refund without returning.

If they don't, on day 4, return to the case and ask Ebay to step in.

Have a great day.

lamber9347 · ‎10-16-2020

@frogpants1701 - The seller is scamming you big time. You are correct in your thoughts. You cannot ship anything without a label. You will have no proof that you returned the item without tracking from your location. You will be giving away $500.

Just open an item not as described case and you will be refunded in total. Remember eBay offers a MBG and your item arrived damaged. You've done nothing wrong and should not be out any money. Follow the timelines and protocols and you will be fine. Stop communicating with this seller, they are not trustful at all. Best of luck to you....

ga-8370 · ‎10-16-2020

@frogpants1701 wrote:
He accepted the return, no problem. It's super unfortunate, but he was cool about it. When I asked for a return label, he told me he'd made a personal arrangement with UPS and they'd pick up the box at my house. When I asked for the label, he said there was no label. Just tape up the box and put it outside.

There actually is a UPS return service where the driver brings a label and leaves a receipt with the tracking number, but that won't work anymore, as eBay has taken away the Add Tracking/Mark As Shipped option for a buyer to upload a tracking number for a return package because scammers won't find a way around that.

So now do exactly as eBay already said to do, @frogpants1701: Ask eBay to step in as soon as that date eBay already said you can ask eBay to step in to ask eBay to step in. After you ask eBay to step in, eBay will either issue a return label, or refund no return needed. The latter (refund, no return) is according to this policy:

In some instances, we may not require that an item be returned to the seller. In these situations, we refund the buyer and may seek reimbursement from the seller, for example if:
1. The item was not as described
2. The seller did not provide a return shipping label