Wrong item received. Do I have other options other than sending the item back?

[shich4132]

Seller sent the wrong item to me, and I opened a return request. The seller was not responding, but the return request was accepted automatically. However, due to the covid-19 situation, I'm not going to the post office which is quite risky. Can I ask the seller to send a replacement and I dispose of the wrong item? The item I received was a very cheap plastic pen bag, which I don't think is worth sending back. Thanks. 

[rusticrye]

"The item I received was a very cheap plastic pen bag, which I don't think is worth sending back.."

Possibly not, but that's the seller's decision to make.

Asking for a replacement is certainly an option, but it's never a good idea, even if the seller agrees to it.  You get one return request per transaction, which only stays open for a shortish period of time, so if the replacement doesn't arrive in time, you're stuffed. Once a return request or case has closed, that's it - you can't reopen it or open another. It's always, always best to return for refund, and order again so that you have a second transaction number should something be amiss with that item too.

If you're having to self-isolate, I'm sure there's someone who can go to the Post Office for you. In any case, you have quite a long time in which to return (check the return request details), by which time Covid-19 may no longer be an issue for you.

@shich4132 

[red_magpie]

If you received the wrong item, you shouldn't have opened an ordinary return request. This is for change of mind returns, and with the return postage at your own expense.

What you should have done is open a "significantly not as described" case under eBay's money back guarantee, through the resolution centre (see foot of page). This requires the seller to send you a prepaid return label if they want the item back. If they don't, you will be refunded anyway.

You may have to close the ordinary return request before openng a SNAD case. Try opening one first anyway. A case must be opened within 30 days after the actual or latest estimated delivery date. If the seller wants the item to be returned, eBay will require them to send you a prepaid return label. After 8 days the option will appear to escalate the case for eBay to step in. If still unresolved, escalate it, and don't agree to close the case before you have your refund.

For full details of eBay's money back guarantee see: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/money-back-guarantee.html

[shich4132]

Thank you for your reply. I opened a return request through the resolution centre, and I did receive a free return label. But I'm still not happy as I didn't receive the item I needed, and I had to go out to send it back.

[rusticrye]

That's incorrect, @red_magpie Return requests can be made for a myriad of reasons, all of which are displayed for the buyer to choose from, including not as described. Ebay supplies a postage label at the seller's expense in exactly the same way as they do when a case is opened. It makes no difference at all.

@shich4132

[tobiasd4]

Ebay MBG says you open case for not as described, seller provides returns label (assuming posted from UK), you post back for full refund.

If you fail to return item within time ebay give you, you won't get refund.

Ebay have extended timescale, but you still have to keep to it.

If you can work out a different solution with seller, that is up to you, ebay won't get involved.