Faulty Item / Seller no longer exists

[badmartin2010]

I purchased a gaming chair a few months ago which has not lasted very long at all before a wheel broke away from the housing at and will now no longer stay in place. Looking at my purchase history it appears the seller no longer exists. I suspect it was a Chinese supplier. Do I have any options to get a refund or return the item? 

[red_magpie]

Do I have any options to get a refund or return the item?

Not through eBay or PayPal. EBay's money back guarantee covers most items sold here, but only for 30 days after delivery. After that, they will not get involved, whatever the problem. PayPal buyer protection lasts longer, for 180 days, but only covers faults present on delivery. Neither will get involved in warranties or faults that occur in use.

Otherwise, any responsibility now rests with the seller, but if you don't even know who they are there won't be much that you can do. If they are in China you won't have any statutory consumer rights anyway, even if the item was sold as UK stock. If you find them, and they're a UK business seller,  you can consult trading standards or citizens advice.

These are the risks of buying from unknown sellers online. EBay is not like the shops.

I have just fixed a wheel that broke away from my own office chair by cementing it back in with epoxy putty!

[badmartin2010]

Thanks very much for the detailed response. I suspected I would not be able to do anything through eBay.

I will try your epoxy solution though.

Thanks again

Sent from my iPhone