How do I contact ebay to report a fraudulant/scammer seller?

[batlady001]

Hi All, first time user of the "community" board.

Have been going around in circles trying to find out how I can report a fraudulant/scammer seller. I live in Sydney/Australia. Seller lives in China. Looks like I cannot go anywhere within the ebay "system" as I purchased 3 months ago.

In short: purchased 27/5/21 with (free posting) delivery date before 16/6/21 (this is stated on original purchase order, which also contained a "tracking" number. Didn't receive item and contacted seller 17/6/21. They replied that due to covid, delivery could take 2 months more. August 4/8/21 I contacted seller again.

From there I've had daily correspondence with seller who writes I either pay for postage or tracking. PS: The item came with free postage and tracking. Tracking shows that item didn't move after notice "arrived at destination airport". I believe it is FAKE. Early August I gave seller ultimatum to get item to me before 31/8/21. 

As I said above, I'm going around in circles, doing combat with the ebay "AI" response system. Can anyone help me with an ebay email address that will go  to a real person, - so I can lodge my complaint?

Thanks for your help... Batlady 001

[sandypebbles]

The eBay email address does not go to a real person, it is an automated bot system, which, those who are lucky enough to get any reply at all, often has nothing to do with the question emailed

If the delivery date was mid June, it is too late for eBay to do anything

If you paid by PayPal, you have six months to open a dispute for item not received through that

I have not had to open a via PayPal, so I am not able to give you up to date advice on the how to, but I am sure another member can when they see your post

As for actually reporting the seller, since they are registered in China, eBay Australia can't/won't do anything about them

[jellybirddesigns]

Never let a seller string you along until you are out of time to open an Ebay case.

Stop communicating with the seller as they are obviously not going to send your item.

You can, however, open one in Paypal as you have 180 days.

Did you check seller feedback before purchasing? This will often be the first red flag as to the type of experience you might have when dealing with a seller.

[batlady001]

Thanks sandypebbles and jellybirddesigns!

Sounds like ebay cannot/won't help me. I'll start the process with paypal.  😞 😞 😞

[jellybirddesigns]

It's not because Ebay won't help you, it's because YOU let the time go past without opening a case!

If you look in the buying guides, it tells you that you have a limited amount of time in which to open a case. 

Chinese sellers are notorious for stringing buyers along and hoping that they won't be able to open a case, as per what happened to you.

It's in your interests to understand how Ebay works and to be proactive in assisting yourself, and not relying on the word of a random seller in China.