Opening as case without panicking the seller into refunding?

[oskye]

Situation: An item is slow arriving.  I am willing to wait since I know certain shipments can take a long time.  But, we are approaching the 45 day deadline.  So, I want to log the item, just for the record, in case it truly never does arrive or if there is a problem with it when it does.

I always contact the seller first.  They either ask me to wait longer or offer a refund.  If I know the seller I am comfortable to wait.  I have never been let down.

If I do open a case, or even suggest it, thinking it would just serve as a "placeholder" - the poor seller instantly refunds the money - which had not been my intent.  When the item comes, I repay.  BUT - am then out some extra money due to 3 sets of exchange rate fees.  This goes for the seller too.

So:

Is it possible to open a simple DNR case - just for the record?  (eBay customer service is no help - I've asked)

and how to do this without panicking the seller?

Thanks!

[femmefan1946]

Contact the seller and explain that you will be opening a case, but that it is in fact a placeholder and will stay that way until Day 43 after the sale.

Some will still panic. That's life.

[oskye]

Thanks.  Yeah, I do that.  And explain that DNR cases do not count against them as long as they are successfully resolved.  Doesn't seem to help.  Next thing I know, I've got a refund notice.

On top of that, the Case policy requires resolution within a rather short timeframe.  Sometimes not long enough.  Definitely not enough if the seller re-sends (and it seems there is NO mechanism to address or protect issues with a re-send).

eBay seems to think 45 days is incredibly generous - clearly reflecting an in-country sales bias.

Ah well.  Guess we just muddle along and navigate as best we can.  As you say "That's life".