Talking for a month…?
You have not acted as required within the dispute timeframe. eBay’s dispute/refund/return process is entirely bot-driven. Buyers must open a SNAD (not as described) return request within 30 days. And once open, the case must NOT be closed if situation hasn’t been resolved. Nor can you just endlessly let the dispute hang. If you don’t ask eBay to step in within 21 days at the latest (after opening the dispute) in the event that the seller has not refunded you, the case will automatically close with NO REFUND. eBay’s dispute bot will assume that the buyer is satisfied.
I quote from eBay’s MBG Help page (with which you should be familiar):
❝Actions & time frames for "not as described" returns
Action | Time frame |
The buyer requests a return Start a return request | Latest: |
The seller responds to the buyer's request The seller is required to respond and provide a solution to the buyer's issue. | Latest: - 3 business days after the request date
In some cases, eBay may automatically accept the return on the seller's behalf. |
If the item is being returned |
Ask eBay to step in If the seller hasn't responded or hasn't issued a refund after receiving the return, or if the buyer and seller can't reach a resolution, either party can ask us to step in and help. eBay may step in without the buyer asking if the seller didn't respond to the return request. Once eBay steps in, eligible sellers will no longer be able to issue a partial refund to the buyer, even if the item is returned used or damaged. | Earliest: - Once the seller has accepted the return, or 3 business days after the request date
Latest: - 21 business days after the request date, if the seller never responded
- 10 business days after the refund deadline has passed, if the seller is issuing a refund
eBay may hold the return request open for up to 35 business days after the date the return was accepted. |
Deciding the outcome when the item doesn't match the listing
When a buyer reports that an item doesn't match the listing and the transaction meets our eligibility requirements, we will look for all of the following:
- Evidence that the buyer and seller have each met their return requirements
- Whether the seller breached eBay policies when listing the item
- Whether the item can be posted back to the seller
- Proof of return delivery, if the item was being returned
If we determine that the seller did not meet their return requirements:
- The buyer will receive a refund for the full cost of the item and original postage, and
- The seller will be required to reimburse eBay for the amount of the refund, and
- The buyer may not be required to return the item
If we determine that the buyer did not meet their return requirements, the buyer may not receive a full refund for the item and/or postage costs.❞
You’ve let the seller string you along and fail even in the partial refund offer. You are entitled to full refund. Too late, though, in eBay… so open a refund request NOW in PayPal if you paid that way.
Had you persisted in the eBay process and asked eBay to step in (“escalated” the claim), your return postage would have been payable by the seller. (eBay enforces this.) Sadly PayPal no longer does… but if you phone PayPal and explain seller strung you along, and especially if seller is overseas so that cost of tracked postage would be disproportionately high, you may be able to get the refund without needing to return.
Do not mention your foolish acceptance of seller’s partial refund offer; they’ve reneged anyway.
If you need further help, post here.
