Sometimes eBay orders go wrong. Here are a few tips how to follow up with your seller.
1. Contact the seller if there’s a problem
This may sound obvious, but sometimes unhappy buyers just jump ahead and leave a negative or neutral feedback for the seller without telling the seller there was a problem. If you don’t contact the seller about a problem, then you’re not giving the seller a chance to fix it.
2. Message Etiquette: Keep it simple and factual
When something goes wrong with an order, it’s easy to become upset, but keep emotion out of your message to the seller. Also, keep the message concise and factual. For example, write something like, “Hi, my order is missing 12 blue bricks” or “Hi, I haven’t received my order and it’s been 30 days”. Both of these messages clearly convey the problem and provide the seller with an opportunity to respond with a solution or explanation.
3. Wait Up to 7 Days for Response
Many sellers will respond to messages within a few days, but allow for up to a week for a response, depending on the seller. Also consider that some sellers may not answer messages on weekends. If a week has passed, consider sending the seller a followup message. You could write something like, “Hi, I sent you a message 7 days ago regarding the 12 blue bricks that were missing from my order.”
4. Non-responsive seller? Open a case on eBay or file a dispute on Paypal
If the seller isn’t answering any of your messages about the problem, then it’s time to open a case on eBay in the Resolution Center. If you bought the item somewhere else and paid with Paypal, then you can file a Paypal dispute.
A few final thoughts
Problem orders aren’t fun for anyone, but remember to stay calm throughout the process and keep the line of communication open with your seller. Sellers are people too and most of them will work with you to fix the problem. In the off chance the seller doesn’t work with you, both eBay and Paypal maintain strong policies to protect buyers.