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What is the returns 'policy' for items bought from China?
A China based seller who sent a £150 fake item, tracked directly from China, is harassing me to return the item to a London name and address and conduct mail costs and refunds outside of eBay via my PayPal account. Three eBay agents endorse this approach saying it’s a “cross-border” transaction. In fact, eBay’s initial acknowledgement of my return request said, ‘Send the item back to claim your refund’ but was not accompanied with a returns label nor instructions - just ‘send it back’.
I can find no references to “cross-border” transactions being handled any differently to any other returns, nor can agents direct me to any such information. Consequently, I refuse to give my PayPal address or conduct anything outside of the eBay system. Now the return has been put on hold for 5 days until 25 February and the seller is bullying me daily to send to the UK address. I’ve stopped responding.
Any ideas about what goes on here?
tobiasd4
Mentor5 months agoThis is an unusual case.
Often Chinese sellers will try to get you to return item to China.
If listing said posted from UK, even if seller based in another country, you still only send it to UK.
Easiest thing to do is give seller your PayPal email, they send money, you buy postage and return item through ebay case.
tobiasd4
Mentor5 months agoUnless you return item, ebay won't ensure you get refund.
Your PayPal address is email connected to it, perfectly safe.
heritag-97
OP5 months agoThank you. I'm amazed at the lack of info regarding this kind of thing. See my lengthy reply to another responder.
Regards.
*vyolla*
Mentor5 months agoThe eBay agents are correct here.
If the seller has requested that the item is returned to a UK address via eBay messages and is willing to pay for the cost of the return tracked postage then they can send you a PayPal payment to cover it.
heritag-97
OP5 months agoThank's for your interest, but...
Am I seriously expected to give my email address, which is also my PayPal account, to a seller of fake items that can be seen on multiple completed listing to have been withdrawn from sale? And, when this seller gives me a UK name, address and phone number but refuses to send a returns label via eBay which is clearly easy to do, I am to trust them?
‘Seller fraud is any attempt by sellers to misrepresent themselves, or the products they're selling.’
‘eBay Messages is the safest way to contact other members. Always be careful if a seller asks for your personal contact details, such as an email address or phone number.’
‘We also don't allow members to exchange email addresses, phone numbers or other contact information,’
‘For most purchases, refunds go back to your original payment method and are typically available within 3-5 business days. If it isn't possible to refund your original payment method, we (eBay I assume) might use another method such as PayPal, coupons, or vouchers redeemable for purchases on eBay.’
But all the above is irrelevant if you sell fakes from China?
There is no 'cross-border' information for buyers or sellers that cover this kind of thing on eBay UK. Why not?
Regards.
john1297576
Mentor5 months ago“send a returns label via eBay which is clearly easy to do, I am to trust them? “
A seller in China cannot send you a Royal Mail label, so not easy.
The truthful answer is NEVER buy from overseas, only buy from an overseas seller if item is LOCATED in the UK.
heritag-97
OP5 months agoThank you, but perhaps you didn’t read that the seller, who clearly writes in English, sent me a UK name (English), London address and even a local mobile number to return the fake item to.
Furthermore, the listing accepted returns. I bet if I had wanted to return under different circumstances I would have been given a China address and not the London one.
As to never buy from overseas, I queried eBay about the diverse new items listed (all golf clubs) and they reported they were genuine. There’s more but I won’t bore anyone. Fundamentally, eBay shouldn’t be allowing these listings unless the pitfalls are made clear ON THE LISTINGS.
Regards
*vyolla*
Mentor5 months agoIf your seller is indeed based in China they cannot issue you with a pre-paid returns label via the eBay return case. This is the advice a seller is given on eBay's guidance pages re international returns:
Postage labels for international returns
Language barriers may make it difficult to purchase an international return label. If you're unsure, you can try contacting the buyer to ask if they'll purchase an international label on your behalf.
If they agree, you'll need to send funds to cover the cost. Ensure the buyer uses a tracked service, and includes signature confirmation if the item has a total cost of £450 or more.
You're in a transaction with this seller, the blurb you've copied and pasted refers to giving them your contact email when not in a transaction with someone.