eBayer sent empty box, now they want it back!

VJoe

A brief summary for those interested:

I ordered an Android TV stick on 25 Aug from a Hong Kong seller, they didn't have much feedback but it all looked legit. I've had good success with HK sellers before and it wasn't as if they were the cheapest, they were the only one who had the item I wanted.

Item arrived 09 Sept. (great, tracking had stopped after dispatch to GB ages ago and I was getting worried). But as you know box was empty.

I wasn't taken any chance, I opened dispute in PayPal so if money was there it'd be frozen. Seller emailed a few minutes later asking why with an attachment containing a manual for a very cheap low spec Android stick. Confused I try to explain box was empty again and again but they seem to have standard messages prepared explaining item was as described and if I wasn't happy send it back.

I know people reading this may be giving seller the benefit of the doubt but if you could see these emails I think you'd be suspicious too. I consistently made it clear in plain and simple English box was empty. Online Tracking confirms box was too light and seller never left any messages on PayPal dispute. I did ask them to send what I ordered but they didn't acknowledge it, just said return (non-existent) item if not happy. Infuriated seller seemed to be deliberately misunderstanding me I escalated dispute to claim.

Today PayPal said I'd get a refund if I send parcel back, but it must be tracked online. I'm sure seller knows what he's doing and I have some concerns after looking in other threads.

Questions:

What Mail service absolutely covers me? International Signed For, Airsure, FedEx etc.

Can't seller just say it wasn't delivered. After-all I wasn't asked to sign for it, if I'd said I didn't get it I may have saved money, a lot of hassle and still got a refund all the same?

If seller refuses to sign for it does he get to keep my money?

Should I upload tracking number after delivery, just in case he refuses parcel after seeing tracking number?

Thanks for any suggestions you may have, just say if you think I'm being too paranoid but bear in mind I'm going to be out of pocket whatever happens.

forgotmyname

Worst thing ever for Chinese sellers is poor feedback.

Mates brother takes advantage of them often.

I have only ever had one item not turn up, The seller refunded on the 30th day. I didnt even ask. Just mentioned it had not arrived afterabout 3 weeks and he asked if i had received it yet. I replied no and got the refund.

Just leave them a nice negative. Thanks for an empty box or something.

chancesare_2

China = doggy = no win situation.

One of the regular posters on here actually managed to return an item but that wasnt straight forward and cost more than the item itself iirc, was it pulip?

smileygill

Confused. What's this got to do with eBuyer?

RFW

Call Paypal (they're better over the phone than email) and tell them that returning an empty box by a tracked method seems like a silly idea.

Sounds to me like you'd be throwing money away by returning it. If it's a rogue seller they just won't sign for it.

VJoe

smileygill wrote: »

Confused. What's this got to do with eBuyer?

Yeah knew I'd misspell somthing:o I mean't eBayer not eBuyer.

Thanks RFW, I'll try calling PayPal it does seem silly posting an empty box Airsure or whatever. I remember seeing an 0800 number at some point, I wonder if anyone knows it or maybe an 020 number.

Thanks.

Ralph-y

if it is even possible to comply with ebay/paypal return tracking to Hong Kong/China ...... ?

My wife raised this with Ebay and she did not need to send the defective item back for a refund

Oh and

"forgotmyname Worst thing ever for Chinese sellers is poor feedback.

Mates brother takes advantage of them often."

I hope you report / admonish him! other wise you / he will have no moral grounds to comment on / complain about such things

Ralph

sham63

This is one of those very rare occasions when you should have 'played the system' and just said that you didn't receive the item.

forgotmyname

Ralph-y wrote: »

if it is even possible to comply with ebay/paypal return tracking to Hong Kong/China ...... ?

My wife raised this with Ebay and she did not need to send the defective item back for a refund

Oh and

"forgotmyname Worst thing ever for Chinese sellers is poor feedback.

Mates brother takes advantage of them often."

I hope you report / admonish him! other wise you / he will have no moral grounds to comment on / complain about such things

Ralph

Report him how? I dont know his username or address, Only the actual area.
Its just something my mate mentioned. Seems his brother buys small electrical type items and will claim item not received for 1 of them.

Just enough for it to look out of place. Why would he claim a lower value item had not arrived when more costly ones did.

Sellers usually send another or refund.

VJoe

So after talking with PayPal I no longer have to return the parcel, I had to get a crime reference number which can be done online, it was a little cumbersome but better than trying to fill in a customs declaration on an empty box:D I was envisioning a very awkward conversion in the Post Office.

Guess refund should be processed in a few days. Thanks All.

RFW

VJoe wrote: »

So after talking with PayPal I no longer have to return the parcel, I had to get a crime reference number which can be done online, it was a little cumbersome but better than trying to fill in a customs declaration on an empty box:D I was envisioning a very awkward conversion in the Post Office.

Guess refund should be processed in a few days. Thanks All.

Glad that worked out, Paypal seem to employ people with some knowledge to answer calls, more than Ebay do.