Seller wanting reimbursement if lost item shows up?

[0415gemstarr]

I bought from a seller listed as being in Australia. I was sent the tracking (and soon realised it was in fact coming from China) but the tracking has been listed as “pending” for the last 6 weeks. The seller has agreed to refund me but has asked- in the event that it shows up- that I pay for the item or send it back. 
Does this sound scammy?

[gutterpunkz05]

sounds like a very reasonable request......scammy, why?

[sandypebbles]

So you are asking if the item shows up that you have been refunded for, can you keep the refund and the item, and want to know if the seller is being scammy?

Is that correct?

[daydreams_12]

If I was still selling OP would be on BBL

[0415gemstarr]

Not exactly Sandy. I’m happy to pay if it, securely through eBay, if it turns up. However, It appears to have not even been handed over to the shipping company yet and I’m more wondering if this (not sending it then asking for the buyer to agree to pay when it does arrive) is some kind of scam tactic that is going around.

[kopenhagen5]

Well, if the item turns up and it is as described, hardly a scam.

But I see what you are saying.

Some Chinese sellers might sell items and never send them hoping many don't ask for a refund, so there are those types of scams.

[sandypebbles]

If something has not arrived by the last estimated delivery date, you open and follow through with an item not received dispute, rather than relying on the seller 'saying' they will refund, so no, if you use the tools available then a buyer cannot be scammed. IF on the other had a seller just says they will, but fails to do so in a very timely manner, it is possible they are just stringing you along (but you made no mention of them not refunding as yet in your post) what was the item number? and what is the seller's feedback like (as a seller) ? (things you need to be checking before buying in order to make good buying choices