Seller rescinded on promise to give partial refund on item that came without box - even though it was listed as "new with box"

[yunz101]

This is my first major problem with an eBay seller. My experiences with eBay have thus far been quite positive. I purchased a pair of boots with a listing that said "new with box". They came without said box and not only that I was dinged with brokerage fees. I opened up a paypal resolution case and proceeded to exchange emails with the seller in which he promised to give me a partial refund if I would accept the boots. I accepted his offer but the seller now refuses to cooperate. I have all the evidence, the email exchanges and the original listing that said "new with box". The paypal case has closed and now I can't even leave negative feedback.

Please help me, I don't know what to do. I just want a fair resolution to this problem.

[heidilynn0_3]

Hi yunz..nothing you can do. Once a case is closed it cannot be reopened. If your claim was motivated by brokerage rather than a box it would have failed.

Brokerage fees have nothing to do with the seller. Totally the buyer's responsibility. Items imported into Canada valued over $20. are subjected to duty if applicable, taxes and brokerage. By mail an $8.50 fee , by courier UPS/FEDEX  an expensive brokerage fee. To be avoided.

Feedback can be left for 60 days.

[dmil8030]

Hello 'yunz',

Never close an open case until you are happy.  You cannot re-open a closed case, understandably, or people would be opening and closing ad nauseam every time they didn't get their way. 

If you cannot leave feedback, that must mean you are past day 60.  You don't say when you bought the item.  If less than 60 days, click on the words Feedback Forum at the bottom of this page, and then over on the right where it says Feedback tools, click on Leave feedback.  All those still eligible will be there. 

Otherwise you may have to honestly ask yourself, -- how important is that box?  At this point, would the presence the box truly improve the quality of your life?  Is fuming about its absence causing you grief?  There are things in life we cannot change, - what we can change is our response to them.  We always have complete control over our own perception. 

If you like the boots and are happy with them, that sounds like a good thing.  You can always ask at a local shoe store or department store if they have an extra boot box.  Many people don't want the box and so every day stores selling shoes will have some.  And on the bright side, it may be in better shape than one which has travelled through the post.

I wish you well with it. 🙂

[femmefan1946]

Further on brokerage:

US sellers often use courier shipment because domestically it is cheap, convenient, insured and fully tracked. Plus couriers will pick up international shipments, while USPS requires that these parcels be taken to the PO.

So, always when buying items over $20 from the USA, confirm with the seller that she will be using USPS for shipping.

Explain politely about brokerage and duty on items over $20 and that while you have no problem with paying duty, the brokerage is onerous and expensive. If the seller will not use USPS , move on.

 (The shipping fee may appear to be higher with USPS, but as you have learned, it isn't.)