How fair is it to pay Express Post only to find a week later the vendor is away, and doesn't accept

[user_mac01]

[Abstract]

Paid extra for Express Post, almost a week has passed item still not shipped. Note Vendor does not accept "returns" which is against aussie Consumer Law (vendor and buyer are aussie). EBay interjects with auto-popup I can't simply cancel my order either, says it's "too late"... but the item as yet hasn't even shipped - eBay. In this case, it's fairly certain under aussie Consumer Law eBay doesn't get to host which way the free market goes. 

Is it fair for online vendors to leave their "business" running unattended, offering speedy despatch etc while they are temporarily unavailable for any extended period?

[davewil1964]

Abstract - ACL only applies to registered Australian businesses.

How do you know the vendor is away? Was there a notification? In which case, why did you assume you would get special treatment?

Nothing to do with eBay, btw, everything to do with you reading the ad, and availing yourself of the MBG, if warranted.

[twyngwyn]

Is there notification on their site that they are 'away'?

[sandypebbles]

Learning the basics would be far more helpful than sprouting about the well worn out 'Australian  consumer law'

If the seller is away, there would have been a banner on their page advising as such, and the date they will be away until

No returns only means for change of mind 

Correct, buyers cannot cancel

Both sellers to leave you feedback recently are overseas, as are several of the sellers prior to that

And no, nobody here works for eBay 

Australian consumer law does not apply to not knowing basics