How to Use Ebay Buyer Protection
Many potential eBay buyers worry about the possibility of getting scammed, but both eBay and PayPal have put measures in place that protect buyers. Using eBay buyer protection works for certain purchases that were either never received or were much different from their descriptions in the auction listing.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Attempt to contact the seller by email and then through phone contact if needed. After these attempts have been exhausted and you are confident that the seller is not going to offer a replacement or refund, proceed through the eBay buyer protection process.
-
2
Go through the eBay Dispute Console and file a complaint describing the nature of the problem with the transaction. File the complaint at least 10 days after the transaction date and less than 60 days after the transaction date in order to be eligible for protection. These dates are in effect no matter when the item arrives. Sellers who are trying to get out of the seller protection system may put buyers off for long enough that the 60 days elapses and the item is no longer eligible.
-
-
3
Allow eBay to contact your seller. Read the response, if any, from the seller, which can include a message that the item has been sent, the payment was not received, a refund is being given or a replacement will be sent. You may receive more personalized communications in some instances with a choice of options to remedy the situation. If the seller doesn't want to choose from between the narrow band of options that are offered by eBay, he can send you a personal communication through the system, or through email, that offers you other options.
-
4
Close the dispute with the seller because the matter has been resolved or report the seller to eBay's Trust and Safety team because either the seller will not respond or will not respond to your satisfaction. Wait 30 days after the transaction before reporting the seller to the Trust and Safety team, who will better facilitate the transaction, which can include giving a refund or other taking actions against the seller.
-
1
More Like This
Comments
-
redbay
Sep 29, 2010
This how to is going to cost people money ! You have to raise a dispute within 45 days of paying not the sixty stated here. You dont have to wait until the 30th day to refer the seller to customer support. Why do people write these things without checking such simple facts ? -
jacavila
May 18, 2009
The eBay/Paypal buyer protection is essentially worthless for small-value overseas transactions. I was scammed by a seller in Hong Kong with three pearl necklaces which were much poorer quality than pictured, and purple instead of brown! eBay buyer protection sent me to Paypal disputes, and in order to get a refund I was required to ship the necklaces back to the seller by a method which provided tracking, which would have cost more than the original purchase. (about $25.00) It wasn't worth my time and trouble, so I was out my purchase price and left with a very bad feeling about eBay and Paypal - they should not promise that every sale is protected, when, in reality, only sales over a minimum value are effectively covered.
