Apologies in advance for the length of this post...
I recently ordered an item to be delivered to a parcel shop for collection. I received an email notification, informing me that the parcel was ready for collection (including photographic 'proof of delivery' but no barcode). When I arrived to the shop to which I had asked for the item to be delivered, the shopkeeper pointed out that it wasn't his shop's counter, and advised me to go to a different shop a few doors away. The photo clearly showed a package (it was impossible to read the address details due to the grainy quality of the photo), on this second shop's counter (the wrong shop). The owner confirmed that he had refused the parcel, and showed me CCTV footage of the courier leaving the shop with a package very much resembling the one in the photo, and at the correct time when it was claimed that the delivery was made.
Back to shop 1, and the shopkeeper denied having received my package, checking all of the deliveries behind his counter. His partner then showed me exterior CCTV, in which the courier walked out of the wrong shop, towards shop 1, still holding the package, and then back to her van, whereupon she drove away.
I raised the dispute with the seller, and with Evri. The seller initially appeared cooperative, but insisted upon raising the case with Evri, before refunding me. He didn't say that he thought I was lying, but nor was he persuaded that the photo was in the wrong shop (how could I prove this?), he didn't seem to think much of the CCTV footage evidence, either (I'm not in a position to secure this from the shopkeepers, so it's my word against his), and the fact that the item was never scanned in, hence a barcode was never generated, didn't seem to matter to him either. I wasn't filled with confidence.
Meanwhile, I read on various threads that I could reasonably request a refund through my bank, which I did, thus removing my ability to report the item as not received on eBay (I understand that this is to prevent buyers from claiming twice). The seller has subsequently contested my claim (with the photo of the parcel in the wrong shop), so the bank have retracted the refund. I've sent the seller the email from the bank in which they reject my claim to prove that my only recourse now is a refund from him. He still insists that I might receive the refund, and that this would dent his eBay status as a seller.
I have left the seller negative feedback, and I don't now expect a refund... Very tempted to never purchase from eBay again, as it seems like having taking steps to reach a swift resolution, I've been caught out by the seller's right to contest claims.
Please advise.
