Reasonable time frame for a paypal refund?

[sun_reyes]

I brought a buy-it-now item and paid on Monday 31st March. Seller emailed same day to advise item was in fact not in stock as the last one they had was damaged. Offered a refund which I accepted. 6 days later, it's still not showing up in my Paypal account. I have emailed once to ask for a heads up when the refund is done. How long is a reasonable time frame to wait before sending a second reminder email?

[bsal6160]

You have upto 45 days in which to open a dispute. If item does not arrive within 40 days open a dispute for item not recieved. DO NOT let the seller string you along past these days.

[ajarnjenny]

I may be wrong, but I think if you paid with a credit card through Paypal, it goes back to credit card or bank account if you paid with a debit card and it takes a while.

I haven't been refunded like this, but I have refunded buyers in this way and they message me, really concerned because the payment has not turned up. Once it took a week and a half before the buyer saw the refund.

Someone will correct me if this is not how it is.

[lyndal1838]

If the paypal payment was funded with a credit or debit card the refund automatically goes back to that account and can take several days.

If the payment was with paypal funds or from a bank account the refund will be in your paypal account.

If it was an e-cheque it may not come back to you until it has cleared to the seller which can be a week or so.

[sun_reyes]

Thanks for the responses. I paid using money already in my paypal. Will give it another week I think and send another email.

[lyndal1838 · Accepted solution]

Paypal funds would be instantaneous to the seller and back to you.

I would not wait another week if the seller has already promised a refund.  Maybe another 24 hours and then remind the seller.

It looks like he may be trying to string you out past 45 days....don't fall for it.

[thecatspjs]

Agree with Lyndal.

if the transaction in your paypal account is not showing as refunded, open an item not received dispute and escalate to a claim if refund is not received within a couple of days.

[letscleanupmycupboards]

Although when I do refunds, usually partial ones if postage has worked out significantly cheaper than expected, even if I have funds it does it as an e-cheque and this takes a while.