What to do?

[clrcassian]

I purchased a very expensive camera on 5/08. The estimated delivery time was roughly 11/08 to 15/08 and the delivery option was “Other 24 Hour Courier”. I asked the seller if he could give an indication of the possible delivery date as I needed to ensure someone would be home to accept the order.The seller has not responded to my message, and no tracking information has been provided. I became suspicious and anxious (especially since it was a £3500+ purchase), so I contacted eBay via the website and requested a callback. I didn’t receive the call for an hour, so I decided to request cancellation of the order.After that, an agent called me and explained that I was anxious because it was a high-value delivery and most likely no one would be able to accept it if it went to the last day of delivery. She also reassured me that my cancellation request would be passed to the seller, and if they didn’t reply in 3 days, I would be canceled automatically.However, after 3 days, there was no communication. I called eBay again, and this time, there was nothing they could do. I will have to file an “Item not received” request. Today, my cancellation request was denied, and I just filed an “Item not received” request.Now, I have to wait until 19/08 to hear from the seller. My money will be held, and only time will tell if the seller will respond or what they will say if they do.The seller definitely didn’t respond to me or to my cancellation request, and I doubt they even responded to eBay. No tracking information has been provided either.I can’t understand why eBay won’t pay me back. I’ve never bought or sold an expensive item on eBay before, and I’ve been a member for 20 years. This experience has really shaken my confidence. It’s a significant amount of money, and the service I’ve received from eBay has been disappointing.

[john1297576]

As the latest quoted delivery date is the 15th, a not received case cannot be opened until the 16th, then if no response from seller within 3 days you escalate to ebay, who will deal with refund.

It is a good idea to work within the dates given by ebay then everything works smoothly. Do you have any evidence that a case is open, as already said you should not be able to open one until the 16th, so make sure you  will be able to escalate on the 20th.

You should really have read the money back guarantee first, as ebay only get involved when dealt with properly within the set time scale. They make no exceptions.

[clrcassian]

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. Yes, the “Item not received” case is open. That’s what I thought, actually. I was expecting eBay not to let me open it because the estimated delivery date hasn’t passed, but I was able to do it. Now, there’s another twist in my story: the seller is now “No longer a registered user.” I was wondering why eBay would wait until further notice. 

[*vyolla*]

If the seller is no longer a registered user then that means that eBay have removed them (it's not possible for a seller to close their own account that quickly).

This is why you were able to open an item not received claim before the latest estimated delivery date showing on the order. 

[clrcassian]

Thanks for your reply, now I am wondering how quickly I will be able to get my money back? It has been nearly 10days already.

[*vyolla*]

The way a claim usually works is that the seller is given 3 business days to get the item to the buyer by a trackable postage method, after that time an option appears for the buyer to ask eBay to step in. 

[*guinevere*]

That account definitely looks like it has been hacked. There were a coulle of shepherds huts for sale which looked very dodgy. 

You were never going to get your camera. 

[clrcassian]

I’m not expecting to get the camera, but I want my money back now. It’s a significant amount for me.

[clrcassian]

I have just received a couple of messages from eBay . My money will be refunded as the seller does not provide a valid proof of delivery. The first message says that the seller asked eBay to review this case and make a final decision. The second one says "Your case for this item has been resolved.

Unfortunately, we didn’t receive valid proof of delivery from the seller. We're sorry you had a problem with your purchase."

[*guinevere*]

I'm delighted you got your refund. If the seller couldn't provide tracking showing delivery, and as long as you follow all the rules of a not received dispute you will be refunded, regardless of the seller being a thieving "person".

[clrcassian]

I am just wondering what would have happened if he provided a tracking number and something was delivered completely different. It is not just this case but for any case. How can a buyer protect himself/herself from that sort of problem? If the same weight of sand was sent, how can it be proven that the actual item has not been delivered? As a seller, it actually feels more freighting. I am very well aware that 99% of people are decent and things will work as expected, but what sort of safety mechanisms are in place?

[papso22]

If something else was delivered then you open a returns case for item not as described.