Returning to China - seller provided untracked label

[kishytech]

I have run into a bit of a situation I'd appreciate some input on.

I purchased two LCD panels (for laptop computers) from a seller in China. The panel in question is considered very hard to find as it is out of production, but the listing was clear that I was buying the exact part number I wanted.

I received two LCD panels with the correct part number but which are obviously incorrect. Either the label has been fabricated or the part has been rebuilt with inferior parts...either way, it is a counterfeit item, and the differences about it make it unusable for my needs.

I contacted the seller through the return mechanism and after some back-and-forth, including multiple very small refund offers where I could keep the items and get back up to about 10 percent of the amount I spent, the seller did provide a paid-for return shipping label. However, the label they provided is for an untracked shipping service.

In my opinion the seller has demonstrated that they are dishonest, or at least a little shady.

I believe that if I mail this item back using the untracked label they have provided, the seller will claim to never receive the item.

Do I have any recourse if that happens?

There is no way to escalate/involve eBay in the return process after a label is provided...it takes away the option to ask for eBay to step in and help. How would you proceed in this situation?

[pjcdn2005]

What service is the label for?  It's unusual for an overseas seller to provide an actual label.

I have a different answer than some of the other posters. If you opened an item not as described return and a seller provided you with a label for a non tracked service, it is their responsibility to refund you even if they say that they haven't received the item back.  If they don't refund you, you can ask ebay to step in (make sure that you don't miss the window as to when you can do that) and they should decide in your favour.  Here is the information from eBay about it.

"Tracking is required to confirm the item has been returned to the seller. Signature confirmation is required for items returned with a total cost of $750 or more. If a seller chooses to offer the buyer an untracked return label and eBay is asked to step in and help, the buyer will not be required to provide proof of delivery or signature confirmation"

https://www.ebay.ca/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy?...

One thing that I would be concerned about is if there was proof that the seller provided the label because if you provided your own label the onus would be on you to prove delivery.   If they uploaded the label to you through the return request or through ebay messages, then that would prove that they provided the label.

[kishytech]

The label is for Canada Post Small Packet Surface and it was provided through the eBay return request. The credit card receipt half of the label indicates that it has "delivery confirmation" however Canada Post says this label has zero trackability and will not issue me a receipt confirming I have dropped it off. I realize delivery confirmation is not the same as tracking but I still need a way to substantiate that I hand the item over to the post office, don't I? That being said, the paragraph you quoted is reassuring, and maybe I should just ship it and see what happens.

[pjcdn2005]

Surface shipping will take months and the ebay case will close before the package arrives.

If you have Facebook or twitter, send a message to ebay  on there and perhaps they can suggest what you should do.  When you send the private message tell them your postal code and ebay email address so that they can confirm you are who you say you are.

https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness

https://twitter.com/askebay

[Anonymous]

If it's not tracked dont send it. Ask the seller to provide shipping funds or a label to return it tracked. If that doesn't work get on the phone with ebay before doing any claims etc and speak to them they will advise you how to proceed with the individual seller based on current information. But again never return an item without tracking you will not have a leg to stand on if they dont recieve it.

[kishytech]

Thank you, this is how I was feeling about it. I cannot even receive a receipt from the post office proving that I dropped the item off, so I understand that it will be a completely equal he-said/she-said if I send it back and they claim not to receive it.

[reallynicestamps]

. The credit card receipt half of the label indicates that it has "delivery confirmation" however Canada Post says this label has zero trackability

That's okay.

We use the term 'tracking' constantly, but it is Delivery Confirmation that eBay and Paypal actually want.

They don't care where the item is, or where it might have been, they want to be assured that it has arrived.

I cannot even receive a receipt from the post office proving that I dropped the item off,

Do you have a pencil? Do you have paper?

Write down the Delivery Confirmation number before you hand the package over.

Then put that number into the Dispute.

The "receipt" is the number not a stamped piece of paper.

[kishytech]

I appreciate the point you're driving at, but I don't think we're on the same page. It seems to me that if I cannot substantiate that I shipped the item, I do not get my refund, at all, because as the other person here said, the case closes before the item arrives, and then the (established as dishonest) seller can just not refund me and have no repercussions. I have been told that even with delivery confirmation the website will not show that I shipped the item. In my eyes, it doesn't matter if the seller receives the item or not - either way they are going to try to not pay me, so what matters is proving that I dropped the thing in the mail. Does eBay really enforce the giving of refunds potentially 90 days after the case has closed? Surface mail out of Canada routinely takes that long.

[reallynicestamps]

Tracking is your only way to prove that the item is back with the scammer seller.

Phone Trust and Safety at the bottom of this page and explain your dilemma.

Note- you might be able to purchase tracking yourself or use the label as a part payment, but it is unlikely and an unnecessary expense.

BTW- did the seller use tracking when he shipped to you?

[kishytech]

I did end up requesting a call back, and the CSR (though sounding quite confused by my situation) put a hold/extension on my return window requiring the seller to provide a tracked label.

[kishytech]

Sorry, tried to make a new line but this form submits when you hit enter. The seller did use tracking, they sent the item using OrangeConnex which I believe combines many parcels for international shipment because the box I received had a new label originating from inside Canada, but OrangeConnex tracking did reflect it coming from China before it changed hands to Canada Post.

[marnotom!]

Items that my wife and I have returned by mail to vendors other than eBay have had the tracking number on the receipt. I would imagine even an item with delivery confirmation would have an acceptance scan and that would show up if the item were researched on the CPC website.

Another post of yours alluded to surface mail. Is this the mailing method the seller opted for?

[marnotom!]

How was a seller from China able to send you a shipping label for a Canadian-based shipper?

[kishytech]

I am not sure of the exact mechanics involved, but they seem to have done it from inside of eBay's user interface because the label was provided to me through the return request.