Seller sent "gift" via purchased item tracking number, sale now closed

[molleygal]

Seller sent me a "gift" saying that the item i ordered was a presale item and wont be shipped before the 20th NOV. They have instead sent a "gift " listing it as the item and its now showing "delivered" as if they sent the original item! They originally were replying to e-mails and have stated that the item is coming buy havent had a reply in three days. What do I do? Thanks

[countessalmirena]

@molleygal,

This does not sound straightforward.

Before you do anything, I echo tippy*toes in suggesting that you mention the item number here. This could be a convoluted situation to explain, and because of the "delivered" status I would strongly suggest that you hold back before opening a case.

As brerrabbit has said, "don't just open a claim". Under eBay's automatic dispute system, the very fact that the seller has sent you something for which they have proof of delivery - even though they've told you that it's a "gift" - would have that seller using that proof of delivery in a case where you claim that the item hasn't arrived... and that would be it. Case closed in seller's favour.

kopenhagen suggested opening a case of INAD, and that's what you may have to do in these circumstances. I tend to think you may be best off contacting eBay directly via Have us call you - but don't do that without having all of the information ready. Let us all try to help you by offering advice and perspective.The seller's actions do seem to be dodgy... but if you post the item number, everyone here will be able to respond with a better view of the situation.

So... before anything else, can you post that item number, and also the Estimated Delivery Date? (This will be in your purchase history.)

[lyndal1838]

Once the release date of the item arrives the seller has several more days to actually post it.

The expected arrival date will be activated when the item is actually posted.....it does not activate from the release date.

I recommend that you do not get too impatient or the seller might just use the tracking on the gift item and you will never see your ordered item or the money.

Just wait till the estimated delivery date has passed before doing anything more.

[brerrabbit585]

There's a possibility that the seller got a bit anxious when they got a 'where is it' question about an item that stated pre-sale in the listing, and that may be why they sent the gift - to cover themselves with tracking. If OP hadn't asked the seller about delivery times the seller probably wouldn't have sent anything, so it may not be dodgy after all, just a nervous seller who thought they had another impatient, possibly unreasonable buyer.

[springyzone]

I can see what you are getting at and you could be right, but the buyer says the info about the pre sale was in 'tiny writing'. I haven't seen the ad but I am assuming that means it didn't stand out, wasn't prominent in the ad.

And you say they may have sent the gift 'to cover themselves with tracking'.

It's perhaps a little too early to totally judge the seller as yet, we'd need to know if the item does arrive in the proper time, but if at any point in the future the seller tried to cover themselves by claiming that the first parcel was the actual item, then that would be dishonest and also pointless, you would think, given they have openly outlined what they have done in messages.

I do believe though that if there are special conditions with a sale or delivery, sellers would be way better to put those conditions up front, in flashing lights almost, rather than in tiny print or in the body of a long ad or whatever. The clearer things are for buyers, the better for sellers, I would imagine. I think some of the buyer anxiety, the seller might have brought down on himself.

[*tippy*toes*]

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@jellybirddesigns wrote:

@Tippy, surely you mean open a case for INAD?

Ebay will close the case automatically if they open for Not Received as there is a tracking number associated with the order.

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Yes, you are absolutely correct. It should be a not as described dispute if one is opened.

[lyndal1838]

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@brerrabbit585 wrote:
There's a possibility that the seller got a bit anxious when they got a 'where is it' question about an item that stated pre-sale in the listing, and that may be why they sent the gift - to cover themselves with tracking. If OP hadn't asked the seller about delivery times the seller probably wouldn't have sent anything, so it may not be dodgy after all, just a nervous seller who thought they had another impatient, possibly unreasonable buyer.

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This is what I was trying to say.

If it was a Preorder item the buyer should not have started asking where it is before the release date.

The seller has several days (5 I think) to post after the actual release date and the estimated delivery date only activates once the item is marked as posted.

I have bought a number of Preorder items and it is not always easy to see that it is Preorder.....the buyer definitely needs to read the listing.

Personally I would do nothing until well past the delivery date once the item has been posted.....which will not necessarily be the release date of the item.