Buyer Protection For Repaying?

[alislath0]

The item in question retails for around £1350 plus in the UK (all pre-order or 4-6 week delivery) .

It's manufacturered, distributed by a Chinese specialist but I saw it being sold for just under a grand by a Chinese seller. Even with potential UK import fees I thought it was worth a punt (£600 camera lens got through without issue from China so I've been lucky thus far).

Unfortunately the manufacturer delayed release last minute so they could refine it (based on early feedback) and so the 4-6 week delivery quoted by the seller is no longer possible.

The seller refunded me on the 28th day explaining this and Ebay policy said he must refund me now but went on explain as soon as they receive their bulk order from the company they would fulfil my still open Ebay order.

But how would I repay him the money if my Ebay order shows as Refunded? There is no obvious button to pay him. 

I assume they could email me a PayPal invoice but then am I still protected (ie Buyers Protection)?

Ultimately paying via my credit card so I also have that protection. 

Also it would seem then they never actually had the units to begin with, not that this bothers me per say as the savings to be had are large but i understand this is not allowed by Ebay? 

[plpmr · Accepted solution]

"The seller refunded me on the 28th day explaining this and Ebay policy said he must refund me now but went on explain as soon as they receive their bulk order from the company they would fulfil my still open Ebay order."

Be very careful - once the seller has refunded you the transaction is closed, you would have to purchase again through eBay checkout from an eBay listing.

[alislath0 · Accepted solution]

Ah right okay so basically starting over again via the listing. Got it, obviously wouldn't do that until I was informed the unit was available. Thank you.

[red_magpie]

Buying a £1,000 camera lens from China is hugely risky. If you are determined to buy this lens from China, you must be careful to stick to the rules exactly. That way you will at least have the protection of eBay's 30 day money back guarantee.

It isn't clear why your seller refunded you on the 28th day. It's unlikely they would have done this unless you opened a money back guarantee case, or they sent you a cancellation request which you accepted. Without knowing this it's hard to advise you.

The one thing you can be sure of is that if the seller has refunded you, for whatever reason,  eBay is likely to take the view that the transaction is no longer open. To be sure of eBay's money back guarantee, the seller should relist it as and when they have that model in stock.

Do PLEASE understand the downsides of direct imports from China. Make sure that the lens is not counterfeit (fakes are a big problem on eBay - I don't know whether this applies to lenses).  You will have no UK statutory consumer protection and must expect any makers' warranty to be invalid in the UK. I would bet that if you read the small print they offer a seller's own warranty, which will require you to return it to China to be remedied by the seller. They can then demand payment for any charges they make before they will return it. Remember that eBay's money back guarantee only lasts for 30 days, and if any problems returning it to china will be at your own risk. You would also have to try to reclaim your import duty and VAT from HMRC.

On top of this there is always a risk of delivery problems, which are not always covered by eBay. Doorstep theft of parcels is a growing problem and eBay is less than 100% reliable in checking addresses - at least two buyers have told us that eBay accepted delivery "in their postcode area" as succesfully delivered. None of these would be covered by the guarantee.

I would only consider buying small, cheap items from China. Any saving you may make buying anything of value is unlikely to be worth the risks involved.

[alislath0]

No action on my part, as mentioned I simply received a refund on the 28th day since purchase.