Help with ebay problem!!!

[bcar473]

Hey guys,

I am fairly new here, been lurking and reading for a year or two, but I need some advice how to deal with an ebay problem. I know that some of you guys are huge ebay sellers and are quite experienced with how to deal with ebay and paypal....

here is my story that I reported to paypal in the resolution process:

After receiving the item from the seller, we opened the packaging and found that the product inside the box was a much older and substantially different than the one that was puchased.

Immediately we contacted the seller by email stating:
"I just received the item, but in the box was NOT the advertised item but rather a much older black model. Please respond as to what actions we should take next. Thank you."

After three emails, the seller responded with his phone number and this response: "Did you open the package to see which one is inside?"

From there, we called and left two messages, which were never returned. On the third call, the seller answered, we spoke about what happened, I explained everything that happened, and he told me that they must have had some mixup. He had UPS come and pick up the item.

After two weeks and not hearing from the seller, I contacted them. The seller explained that he nor his partner would EVER make a mistake like this and proceeded to imply that I was the person who switched the item. When asking for a resolution for their obvious mistake, they only offered to send back the old item in question.

This is totally unacceptable and unprofessional for a seller to accuse the buyer of fraudulently switching products. I am asking for a refund for this transaction immediately.

Do you guys have any additional advice? I know that this guy is trying to screw me over, but I don't know what step to take with paypal to ensure that I get my money back??? Do I skip the resolution process and escalate it immediately? It's not a huge amount, but its around $70, so its frustrating!

What do you guys think?

 

[AlanC]

Very often simply beginning an official process as you have is enough to get their attention. If he does not respond, or does not respond satisfactorily, within a reasonable amount of time (72 hours, maybe?) I would escalate. Once you begin the process you only have a limited time to escalate the process, although it's still a couple of weeks. But once you let that window close you can never revisit it.

I hope everything works out.