03-17-2016, 05:22 AM
hal wrote:
I'll send one request for info like your friend did. If I get no response, I open a case at the first possible chance. If the seller is alive and well, THIS will get their attention.
DON'T FEEL BAD ABOUT IT.
Yes. This is what I do, and one could infer that this is what eBay wants you to do because their "contact seller" links will prompt you into choosing "item not received" and then it will either tell you to wait until the estimated delivery date, or it will start the claim process (depending on how long it's been). You actually have to put a little work into actually sending the seller a message and half the time I don't bother if there was a tracking number provided. You want to open a case as soon as possible since it takes a few additional days to a week to actually get your money back.
I did have success recently with messaging the seller as apparently the shipping label had been damaged and the package was just sitting at the post office until he provided a new label (or so he says). And another case where the seller never provided a tracking number, nor responded and eBay refunded.
I never bother with trying to call the seller. As a seller myself, I don't want to be bothered with phone calls and actually provide a Google number that just goes straight to voicemail. The one time I did take a call (from an Amazon buyer), it wasn't even one of my customers, but she wanted to return a laptop and apparently couldn't figure out who she'd actually bought it from. So I just don't see the point in taking the time for a call, especially since your friend is overseas and would have to deal with the time differences to make a call (unless you're going to make the call, but that might sound fishy to a seller).
As for Global Shipping, not all sellers use it, but I think it's a great program. eBay takes responsibility for the international shipment portion, and they had my back (as a seller) and my buyer's when they totally screwed up a shipment. I got to keep my sale money and presumably they refunded my buyer out of their pocket.