Ebay issue with seller/ebay and paypal, the whole shebang

Merch

Ok,
deep breath
I am not a frequent user of ebay, just started using it again recently, although have had an account for years, I never got much online.
I bought an item in Ebay, it was coming from Germany.
The seller already gave me good feedback immediately? no biggie
The item was taking ages and longer than was specified by the seller.
So
I contacted them, they wouldn't reply at first, then replied intermittantly.
They said it was sent and didnt hear from them for ages but they didnt provide a tracking number. After a few attempts at contacting them, I opened a dispute in Paypal, paypal managed to get me a tracking number (Im not sure why the seller wouldnt transmit this to me?)
EDIT, BUT IT SHOWED A DISPATCH DATE MUCH LATER THAN I WAS TOLD BEFORE
But this was after weeks and weeks of waiting and trying to contact them, I was ready to slate them in the feedback, but the item turned up.

First of all, it was not what was pictured in the Ebay advert, it was simialar but not the same, plus it was even missing items.
The seller even then admitted they sent the wrong item in a message in ebay and I took pictures of it so ebay/paypal could confirm the item displayed in the advert was different to the item I received.

So I escalated to a claim and paypal said they were trying to contatc the seller, eventually after I nor Paypal were getting a response, Paypal said they would force a refund and I wouldnt even have to return the item.
This suited me as the postage would be equal to the value of the item or even up to two times as much.
(there must be significantly cheaper rates from germany to here as vica versa the postage is pricey)

Anyway, at the last minute the seller contacted paypal, paypal said they would refund me but I would have to post the item to the seller, and provide a tracking number to them.

Now it will cost me the value of the refund to post the item at best (it may even cost me twice as much)

Is there anyway around this? I feel like I have been scammed as the seller was terrible at communication but at the last minute swoops in to recover their goods!
I received something that is useless to me and to get my money back I have to pay the value of the item or more to recover the same value of my original payment??
Ebay and Paypal find this ok

roughneck

Hi item was not as descibed so paypal should refund you as per their policies , i would pursue this further , do not deal with the seller till paypal get back to you , ebay is 90% of the time ok but you wil always get the chancers , who will play the game ,regards

Merch

Paypal did say I would be refunded, but because the seller contacted them at the last minute, I will only get my refund if I return the item to the seller.

Now it will cost me, at least the value of the item to post it back, maybe twice the value even though they admit they sent the wrong item.
So now it seems it is not worth returning.
If I return it and it cost me 50 euro and the refund is 50 euro, I lose my money, my refund is in essence used to send the item back.

Thats assuming the seller doesnt screw around, as when they sent me the item it is missing components so its not useable completely.
(its similar to the item I want but not the same as what was advertised, ie it is a different model)

i am thinking I will have to take the hit, but I am pissed off
and wondered is there anything anyone would advise i do.

paypal say its unfortunate but nothing they can do, i feel scammed by ebay/paypal as much as the seller.

roughneck

Do not take the hit ,it is not your fault ring paypal in Dublin ,he is the one pulling a fast one not you ,you are the buyer you have the right of way .

Merch

I did ring paypal, I get through to US or British accented customer service, so either US or UK (maybe?)

Will ringing paypal Dublin be any better?
I wasnt aware I could specifically ring through to paypal Ireland.

I looked it up but cant locate a number specifically for ireland that deals with complaints

I was more or less resigned to having bought an item, that wasnt advertised, that I cant really re-sell as a complete unit. Im annoyed as it is not what is advertised in the image.

I am thinking of complaining via my credit card company, who i have already informed.
I have heard Paypal may cancel my account if i do that?

Do you know of an Irish paypal number to direct my query?

TheChizler

Surely the norm is for the seller to provide postage in this situation? Are Paypal aware they're trying to get you to pay for it?

RidleyRider

Get back onto paypal, tell them that you refuse to pay postage. If you refund them the item all they're going to do is send it on to some poor mis-fortunate. Demand your original payment inc. postage + postage of the item to Germany. They sent you the wrong item, leave it up to them to take the hit.

roughneck

Hi paypal are hard to get hold of off line give these numbers a call 01 4369023 or 1890 943220 , hope this helps Regards

Merch

TheChizler wrote: »

Surely the norm is for the seller to provide postage in this situation? Are Paypal aware they're trying to get you to pay for it?

yes, its in the sellers ebay conditions, i guess i was too trusting to assume I would just get sent the item and the right one too.

roughneck wrote: »

Hi paypal are hard to get hold of off line give these numbers a call 01 4369023 or 1890 943220 , hope this helps Regards

that does, thanks

RidleyRider wrote: »

Get back onto paypal, tell them that you refuse to pay postage. If you refund them the item all they're going to do is send it on to some poor mis-fortunate. Demand your original payment inc. postage + postage of the item to Germany. They sent you the wrong item, leave it up to them to take the hit.

I will do that, I was just going to go the credit card company, but i will call paypal and say that and see what they say.
As a precaution I will talk to CC company first.

RidleyRider

Keep Ebay in the loop as well, they'll want to know about some of the scammers on their site. They're usually very helpful for things like this.

Merch

RidleyRider wrote: »

Keep Ebay in the loop as well, they'll want to know about some of the scammers on their site. They're usually very helpful for things like this.

I dont know, but when I try contact ebay, it says i have a dispute in process, they seem tied in with paypal, I need to check, maybe its me thats not aware, are they one group?

I cant find a number at all.
Got directed to an email contact but I was trying to deal with it on the spot.

im just doing a list of my communications, it is a month of communications (messages). Mostly from me.
After I paid, it was past the timeframe for the item to be delivered, it was 9 days before the seller responded to me, during that time I requested some tracking information, they had already said the item was sent.

Then it was another 12 days before I heard from them again, and then only as i opened a dispute against them and paypal were able to extract a tracking number which showed a dispatch date much later than they had originally said.

Its been such a waste of time, does ebay have a certified rep on here by any chance?

Jarren

I wish that this could help you but it won't


Does the buyer have to return the original item? Who pays for return postage?

The buyer must return the item to you to qualify for a refund. The buyer will pay for return postage.
Here are the criteria for return postage:
Buyers must return the item using trackable postage with delivery confirmation, or risk not qualifying for a refund if the item is lost in transit.
If tracking or delivery confirmation is not provided by the buyer returning the item, and the item does not appear in a reasonable amount of time, then the seller is not obligated to refund the buyer.

http://pages.ebay.ie/help/seller-protection-faq.html#Does the buyer have to return the original item?%C2%A0Who pays for return postage?

TheChizler

Jarren wrote: »

I wish that this could help you but it won't


Does the buyer have to return the original item? Who pays for return postage?

The buyer must return the item to you to qualify for a refund. The buyer will pay for return postage.
Here are the criteria for return postage:
Buyers must return the item using trackable postage with delivery confirmation, or risk not qualifying for a refund if the item is lost in transit.
If tracking or delivery confirmation is not provided by the buyer returning the item, and the item does not appear in a reasonable amount of time, then the seller is not obligated to refund the buyer.

http://pages.ebay.ie/help/seller-protection-faq.html#Does the buyer have to return the original item?%C2%A0Who pays for return postage?

I know that's under the item significantly different from description section, but that's bizarre that the buyer would have to pay for postage. OP you should open a case with eBay, from the same page:

How are reversals managed under eBay Buyer Protection?
In the event eBay finds in favour of a buyer — and you haven’t already refunded the buyer — eBay will arrange for a refund of the cost of the item and postage to be sent to the buyer. eBay will then remove funds from your PayPal account to reimburse the buyer. If there are insufficient funds in your PayPal account or if PayPal is not your preferred reimbursement method, we will charge your alternative reimbursement method. For future cases where eBay has arranged for a refund of your buyer under the eBay Buyer Protection Policy, we will notify you and continue to charge your preferred reimbursement method. Sellers must have a valid reimbursement method on file with eBay at all times.

Merch

TheChizler wrote: »

I know that's under the item significantly different from description section, but that's bizarre that the buyer would have to pay for postage. OP you should open a case with eBay, from the same page:

How are reversals managed under eBay Buyer Protection?
In the event eBay finds in favour of a buyer — and you haven’t already refunded the buyer — eBay will arrange for a refund of the cost of the item and postage to be sent to the buyer. eBay will then remove funds from your PayPal account to reimburse the buyer. If there are insufficient funds in your PayPal account or if PayPal is not your preferred reimbursement method, we will charge your alternative reimbursement method. For future cases where eBay has arranged for a refund of your buyer under the eBay Buyer Protection Policy, we will notify you and continue to charge your preferred reimbursement method. Sellers must have a valid reimbursement method on file with eBay at all times.

I just contacted ebay, (by email) Im not hopeful

roughneck wrote: »

Hi paypal are hard to get hold of off line give these numbers a call 01 4369023 or 1890 943220 , hope this helps Regards

these are the numbers I was calling already

Nody

It is standard Paypal and Ebay policy that the buyer pays the return postage; they will not let you claim it back and no calling or e-mailing will change that. Surprised no one else here has pointed that out to you as this has been the way for quite a while (talking years).

This piece:

TheChizler wrote: »

I know that's under the item significantly different from description section, but that's bizarre that the buyer would have to pay for postage. OP you should open a case with eBay, from the same page:

only refers to the original total paid NOT the cost of return shipment.

Secondly if you get the bank to issue a charge back to Paypal they will close down your Paypal account and (and I think Ebay account as they own Paypal anyway) not let you register with your name and address again.

TheChizler

Nody wrote: »

This piece:
only refers to the original total paid NOT the cost of return shipment.

Secondly if you get the bank to issue a charge back to Paypal they will close down your Paypal account and (and I think Ebay account as they own Paypal anyway) not let you register with your name and address again.

Ah I was half asleep when I posted that. OP maybe try contacting the national consumer agency about this. Your rights when you buy online are the same as buying in-store.

Merch

Its a right pain as the seller admitted
"oh I send wrong item"

ant see why they are allowed make that screw up and still expect to get the item back postage paid.

I dont want the item, its no good to me.

Jarren

How much is the postage to Germany OP ?

Merch

Jarren wrote: »

How much is the postage to Germany OP ?

I need to confirm exactly as I cant weigh the item accurately

But I think at least the value of the item to about twice the value.
I did some online quotes to check and it was coming up as 47 to 97 euro.

if it was the value of the item to re-post then I break even, but not really as my refund pays for the postage, in that case Id be better to keep the item and just re-sell it, except its not complete, ie missing items.