Harp seller scam (returning before item is posted)

[cait_kelee6]

I recently ordered a harp from a uk seller who listed the harp at considerably lowered price and shipping cost. But I think he is a scammer. The reason why is because he called me from new york to ask for my email address so that he can send me photos and video of the harp. Realising that this seller is bit suspicious I requested to cancel the order and refund my money before it is even posted. He agreed and said he'll refund me by yesterday but he did not keep his word and did not reply to my msgs demanding prompt return and refund. I didn't know what to do, I opened return case before the harp was even posted and ebay said I'll get my refund once the harp is delivered to the seller but in the case I return an item before it is even sent to me for change of mind, what will happen? How can I get my money back from this seller 

Help 

[padi*0409]

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@cait_kelee6 wrote:

You are not getting this. I have already told the seller I want to cancel the order so it is unlikely seller will post the harp which means I will never get a harp to return 

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But you said this in your opening post "I didn't know what to do, I opened return case before the harp was even posted and ebay said I'll get my refund once the harp is delivered to the seller but in the case I return an item before it is even sent to me for change of mind, what will happen?".

THAT'S what Lyn is replying to. As I said earlier this is going to be a complicated dispute for you to get your money back because you've gone about things the wrong way, by opening a return case with eBay.

[lynsh84]

I am definitely getting this.

You can only open one dispute.....you have jumped the gun and opened an incorrect dispute.  Essentially, whatever you do now you are  going to lose the dispute.

Your only hope (admittedly a very slim chance) is that it will arrive in time for your to return it.....OR that you may be able to change it to an Item Not Received dispute.   That is a bit unlikely though as you would not open a Return Request if the item did not arrive.

[cait_kelee6]

I opened it without knowing ebay could be so inflexible about this. Honestly getting a refund and cancelling order BEFORE the item is even shipped shoulnt be this difficult

No wonder why there are so many scammers on ebay

[gutterpunkz05]

Just pointing out,  ebay will not take any notice of  communications that occurred outside of ebay messages or the dispute, as they have no way of knowing if the communication was legitimate or if your version of the conversation is correct.

[lynsh84]

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@cait_kelee6 wrote:

I opened it without knowing ebay could be so inflexible about this. Honestly getting a refund and cancelling order BEFORE the item is even shipped shoulnt be this difficult

No wonder why there are so many scammers on ebay

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Sorry to be brutal but the member who looks like a scammer is you.

You have no hard evidence that the item is not going to be posted.....just a gut feeling at present.

All you needed to do was wait till there was clear evidence that the item was not going to arrive and then open a dispute for Item Not Received.....your money would have been returned within days.

[digital*ghost]

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@cait_kelee6 wrote:

I opened it without knowing ebay could be so inflexible about this. Honestly getting a refund and cancelling order BEFORE the item is even shipped shoulnt be this difficult

No wonder why there are so many scammers on ebay

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Buyers can't cancel orders - they can request them, but the seller has to officially accept of decline the request. There are a lot of reasons for this, not least of which because items can be posted before they are marked as such on eBay. I understand you not being able to cancel the transaction fully from your side is inconvenient for you in this case, but allowing that would be an utter nightmare for sellers, and completely untenable for eBay.

eBay holding the funds would not affect the seller's ability to cancel, holding just means the seller can't transfer it to their personal bank account, it doesn't mean they can't action refunds or cancellations - however, they will have to pay for part of the refund themselves because eBay won't refund everything. If they are on managed payments the amount is fairly minimal, if they are not, a refund may be stalled if they don't have enough to pay for the difference out of their own pocket.

If the seller is suspicious and - as others have suggested - the account is highjacked, perhaps just hop onto eBay chat and explain the situation as calmly as possible. If they agree that the account shows suspicious activity, they may action something on your behalf.