Seller offered a refund - but never issued it

[nuturalworld]

Hello,

How can I raise a complain about a seller that offered a partial refund for a purchase I made (to which I agreed) - but never actually SENT THE MONEY and doesn't answer any messages?

Thanks

Mordechai

[**peaseblossom**]

If it's still within 30 days of the delivery date start a return on here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/buying/returns-refunds/return-item-refund?id=4041
and if necessary escalate it to eBay after 3 complete working days.

[nuturalworld]

Thanks for that!

OK - so I already initiated a return, and the seller offered to refund 40% of the price and I could keep the item. I agreed, but the refund was never issued.

I simply cannot see where I can escalate to ebay - the option is simply not there!

Any suggestions how to go about it?

Many thanks

Mordechai

[tressygirl]

Partial refunds  cannot be enforced only a full refund when opening a case.

On opening a case this gives the seller 3 full days to refund you, only when that lapses will the option to escalate to eBay appear, for them to step in and force the refund.

@nuturalworld 

[**peaseblossom**]

You only get 21 working days after the date it was started to escalate to ebay.  

[nuturalworld]

Thank you - I will contact ebay support and we'll see what they can do!

Mordechai

[nuturalworld]

Thanks for that!

when you say "... Partial refunds  cannot be enforced " - does it also cover a case where the partical refund is OFFERED by the SELLER and accepted by the Buyer?

If so - that's a great loophole for Sellers 🙂

Mordechai

[papso22]

Not really as the buyer should make sure they keep the case open and if it gets near the deadline escalate for a full refund on return instead.

[tressygirl]

That is correct a seller can offer a partial refund but can renege on that ' promise'.  Partial refunds have always been left between the seller and buyer to come to an agreement, eBay do not get involved here.

There's no loophole, as you can still go for a full refund,  if you're within the 30 day timeframe.

@nuturalworld 

[nuturalworld]

Well, it is sort of a loophole, as the seller may simply delay payment and
say that it's "in the post" until the 30 days have passed... Say I opened a
return with 5 days to go before the 30 days - the seller will do well to
offer a partial refund knowing full well that it can refrain from payment
and just let the time pass.

Mordechai Chachamu

[tressygirl]

Yep,  that can certainly happen , and not just with promises of partial refunds, sellers can and do try and string along a buyer with false promises and excuses  so they go past eBay's 30 day MBG policy.

Again not a loophole ,  but knowing there is a 30 day timeline,  the policy is written on every listing,  seeing you are reaching that timeline it's time to listen  no more,  but to open that case.

Knowing how eBay's 30 day MBG works can save a lot of time and money when buying on eBay.  Never listen to a seller when it's becoming slowly clear, that the offer is not forthcoming.

@nuturalworld 

[john1297576]

Unless you paid by paypal who also only have a 30 day limit, if out of time you can ask your payment provider for help.

So long as buyers do  not sit back and do nothing, loopholes only allow sellers to get away with not refunding if buyers let them.