Has anyone ever won a billing dispute?

[Anonymous]

Bought a handbag as a gift on eBay listed "new with tags".  Seller never shipped out for a month, had to open a not received dispute on eBay.  Ended up getting the item and it's used, scratched, etc.  Contact the seller and she just tells me she listed it new with tags because she saved the tags (obviously ripped it off the bag, used the bag but just happen to save the tags) and told me she isn't taking returns, and just to resell it "you got it at a great price".

Couldn't open a not as described on eBay because it said I had another dispute open for the item (not received case was close though)?  Can't contact eBay on the phone because they cut their lines during covid, ended up disputing it with my Citi/mastercard.

I've done maybe 3 disputes in 15 years and it's the same story: unless you send it back and have tracking, you'll lose the dispute.  Even at that time I didn't have the person's return address and they just told me tough luck, a return is REQUIRED.  Now, citi/mastercard tells me I just need to have attempted to return it (which I did), but these are all outsourced calls and honestly don't trust the card reps.  At this point the seller responded to my dispute with my card and my card automatically closed the dispute, but said they will reopen it once I send proof but did not tell me what "proof" I need.

Now, I have the box it was shipped to me with and there is a return address on the box.  Whether the person is still at that address or if that is their return address...who knows.  Should I just send it back there?

I don't want to send it back there and the seller say that's not his address or something like that and I lose the dispute and the item.  Then again, I don't want to not send it back and lose the billing dispute because I didn't send it back. 

[designated_knitter]

Edit to add:  Did you dispute with eBay or Paypal?  Did you pay via Paypal?  If so, file a chargeback via Paypal -- they are usually much more consumer friendly. If paypal doesn't work, then go directly to your credit card issuer.

Take pictures of the item in question showing that it is used.  Take pictures of the box showing the return address.  Save the communication with the seller.

Then pack up the purse, send it to the return address with tracking information.  Take a picture of the package just prior to handing it over to USPS.  Save the tracking information.

When the item shows up delivered, take a screen shot of that.  Present that to your credit card proving that you returned the item to the address that was listed as the return address.

If the seller complains that they didn't receive, that isn't on you -- that is on the seller.  Once it leaves your possession, you have no further responsibility.

The key is pictures of everything and keeping all correspondence.

[babygirl1256]

Hi jasonfodor . . . I sent you a direct number and E-mail address for e-Bay via private message. When was the purchase made? You have the best proof that the item wasn't new by the seller's statement and confession. Was your communication with the seller via e-Bay? If so, E-mail e-Bay and request a supervisor's assistance to resolve as they can see your communication if via e-Bay's website. I hope that you are able to get through to a supervisor . . . let me know as I'm an e-Bayer also and will gladly assist.