A refund that is not a refund

[mino3672]

I have recently had to return some garage remotes that despite careful checking at the time are not compatible with my unit.  Checking the Sellers website they sent the wrong units.  When I sent them back they have processed a refund through ebay (maybe they don't have the correct ones in stock).

Ebay sends me an email saying I have received a refund to my Visa debit but actually what happened was a transaction onto my CC with a DESCRIPTION saying ebay, account number AUD 18.16.  Actual money onto the card was nothing and not backdated to original date of purchase either.  i.e. like a dummy transaction/refund.  That was 5 days ago now - and no way it seems to contact ebay to enquire why the false transaction.

I rarely use ebay because I have never trusted it so only use as a last resort (Vs dealing directly with a legit supplier) and only for low value items.  I need a steering wheel now and plenty of options on ebay but no way I want to risk losing 3 or 4 hundred. 

[cam-2793]

The refund will not be backdated to the date of sale but will be dated from when they notify a refund is on the way. And the initial payment would have been processed as a CC transaction so the refund will as well. Sometimes it can take a while for the bank to process. My refunds are usually within 10 business days at most (nab/ visa), sometimes as quickly as 3.  If you did want to contact eBay try the livechat or you could check with your bank

[jellybirddesigns]

Did you open a formal INAD dispute? Or did you just communicate with the seller?

I hope you were not out of pocket on the postage either as the seller would have had to send a postage label if they wanted them back. Once tracking showed delivered to seller, a refund should be processed. But only if you opened a case.

You'll need to clarify things a bit.

Not sure about this other "transaction" though.

[mino3672]

I did not open an INAD case just sent them back by return post (Postage paid already) to seller.

Tracking on ebay shows returned to seller and refund paid.  But refund not paid only a transaction on my CC saying $18.16 AUD from ebay as the description but actual funds deposited was nil.  The amount $18.16 was my purchase price less postage - amount seems about right I just have not got it but ebay thinks I have.

[mino3672 · Accepted solution]

Update - the refund has now come through as actual funds dated back to date of purchase.

[paper-jack]

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I rarely use ebay because I have never trusted it so only use as a last resort (Vs dealing directly with a legit supplier) and only for low value items.  I need a steering wheel now and plenty of options on ebay but no way I want to risk losing 3 or 4 hundred. 

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By the way there are 1000s of legitimate suppliers on ebay.  I have found Ebay can be trusted as a place to buy. Unfortunately there are some dodgy sellers on ebay. These can be weeded out by checking their location, feedback etc and of course if a buyer uses the tools ebay provides, there is recourse to a refund if there is a problem. I have bought many things (on another account) on ebay and usually from Australian based sellers with no problems.

[sandypebbles]

Ok, so you just did your own thing rather than follow the proper process?

Use the tools you have been given

Don't ignore policy and expect you will get eBay to protect you

eBay is ALL about the buyer