How long do I have to wait for a return label?

[stolniik]

Hi all,

I purchased an item on the 7th June, item arrived damaged (either in transit due to poor packaging, or was damaged but not disclosed). After a lot of abuse from the seller, I was able to receive a full refund on the 12th of June.  The case is closed, however I still have the item. 

The seller is refusing to pay for a return label. Ebay advised me that it is the seller's responsibility to provide a return label, or otherwise I can keep or dispose of the item. Given the item is damaged, I would like to dispose of it.  

Ebay advised there is no "due date" for the seller to provide a return label as the return case has been closed. However I am worried that if in say 6-12 months time, the seller finally sends a return label and in that time I have lost it or its been damaged further, then I might be liable to pay for the item?

Has anyone been in this situation and can provide some advice? How can I move on from this, without paying for the return postage myself. Thanks!

[twyngwyn]

Is he refusing to pay for return, but still wants it returned?What exactly did his message say?

[stolniik]

He said that he has refunded me the full amount plus postage, and that I can use the postage money I paid initially to post it back to him. I’ve been on eBay for a long time and never seen this before. 

[twyngwyn]

Wait until you can see how much was refunded….it might not be enough?

Is he refunding your postage, or postage as extra, for you to return?

It should be both…..

What is the item number?

[twyngwyn]

Was the refund done through eBay (as in a dispute was lodged) or on the seller’s own back?

[*casey*]

" Ebay advised me that it is the seller's responsibility to provide a return label, or otherwise I can keep or dispose of the item"

Looking at your last couple of feedback received, one seller in the  US and the other in Japan,  IF  the seller is overseas, he'll be unable to send you a return label

[stolniik]

This was from a local seller, one state away. Would cost $10-$15 max

[twyngwyn]

What is the item number, and was an official dispute lodged?

[stolniik]

The seller refunded the total cost of the item ($171.90) plus the initial postage ($10.95) I paid for delivery to my address. Didn’t provide anything extra for delivery back to the seller 

I don’t know how to find the item number on the eBay mobile, might have to do it tomorrow when I’m on my computer. 

The seller has said they will not pay for a return label and that it should be at my cost. EBay says this is not the case, however also said to hold onto the item for an indefinite time incase I’m provided with a return label. When I clarified support for the latest date the seller has to respond, they said there isn’t one and that it could come at any time in the future. 

[countessalmirena]

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@stolniik wrote:

He said that he has refunded me the full amount plus postage, and that I can use the postage money I paid initially to post it back to him. I’ve been on eBay for a long time and never seen this before. 

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That is not a thing. As in… no. That’s not how it works. The initial postage amount refunded is not supposed to be used by the buyer to return a not-as-described item.

The seller can either provide you with a return postage label OR pay you the tracked return postage cost amount, upon which you would pack the item carefully and send to the return address provided by the seller using those specific funds.

If the seller doesn’t do that, what happens is a large serving of nada.

I’d suggest storing the faulty/damaged item for 60 days, after which you would dispose of it. Notify the seller politely to that effect.

Something  along these lines…

Dear [seller]

This is to let you know that I am storing the damaged/faulty [item name] for which I was refunded through eBay’s MBG (see reference number [xxxxx]), for a period of 60 days from today, in order to offer you that timeframe during which you may decide to organise and pay for return postage to the return address you may provide.

As per eBay’s Money Back Guarantee policy, the seller is responsible for the cost of return postage. Quoting:

❝

Reason for return	Who is responsible for return postage
Items that don't match the listing	Seller

❞

– https://www.ebay.com.au/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-pol...

As per the above policy, you can either 

   1) provide me with an eBay return label, or

   2) send funds to me to pay for tracked return postage.

If by the end of the 60 days you have not done either of these things to facilitate and pay for the return of the item, I will ensure that the item is destroyed/disposed of, and it will no longer be possible for me to return it.

I look forward to hearing from you with your preferred action going forward.

Kind regards,

[name]