4 min article

Return an item for a refund

If your item arrives damaged, doesn’t match the listing description, or is the wrong item, you can return it for a refund. If you've changed your mind and want to send it back, you can ask the seller if they'll accept a return.

Have you already opened a return request? Take a look at this article to check the status of your return

Already asked eBay to step in and looking to appeal the decision? Read our article on appealing a decision as a buyer

If the item you received arrived damaged, doesn't match the listing description, or if it's the wrong item, you're covered under the eBay Money Back Guarantee. In most circumstances you can return it even if the seller's returns policy says they don't accept returns.

If you no longer want an item, you'll be able to see in the listing if the seller offers returns, how long you have to request a return, and any other conditions. You can check the listing by selecting the item in your Purchase history - opens in new window or tab.

Once you start a return, the seller has 3 business days to resolve your issue. If your problem isn't solved at the end of those 3 business days, you can ask us to step in and help.

Start a return

To start a return, select the item you want to send back from your recent purchases above, or follow the steps below:

  1. Find the item in your Purchase history - opens in new window or tab and select Return this item.
  2. Select your reason for the return.
  3. If the item arrived damaged, broken, or faulty, you must add at least 1 image (with a maximum of 10) relevant to the reason you're returning the item for, and showing any scratches or defects. Make sure to follow our Images, video and text policy when you're uploading images.
  4. Select Send.

Once you've started a return, you can check on the status of your request at any time.

What happens after you've started a return

The seller has 3 business days to get back to you. You can monitor the progress of your request in your Purchase history - opens in new window or tab.

How the seller responds depends on the reason for your return.

You received a damaged item, it doesn't match the listing description, or you received the wrong item

Here's how the seller may respond:

Accept your return request and offer a full refund – You'll return the item in the same condition in which it was received, and the seller issues you a full refund, including the original postage cost. The seller will also pay for return postage. 

If the returned item is used, damaged, missing parts, or is damaged during return shipping because it wasn't packaged correctly, the seller might deduct from the refund to cover the loss in the item's value.

Offer you a partial refund and let you keep the item – This can be a good compromise when you're not completely satisfied with your purchase – for example, if it arrived with a minor scratch – but you're happy to keep it.

Send you a message – The seller may ask you for some more details about your return request, or offer the option of returning an item for a replacement or exchange instead of a refund.

When the seller replies, we'll send you an email with details of the next steps.

 

You changed your mind about an item

Here's how the seller may respond:

Accept your return request and offer a full refund – You'll return the item and the seller issues you a full refund – depending on their returns policy, this may or may not include the original postage cost. Check the seller's return policy in the listing to see who is responsible for return postage costs.

If the returned item is opened, used, damaged, missing parts, or is damaged during return postage because it wasn't packaged correctly, some sellers might deduct from your refund to cover the loss in the item's value. Learn more about our Condition of returns policy.

Offer you a partial refund and let you keep the item – This can be a good compromise when the seller doesn't accept returns, but wants to offer you a gesture of goodwill – for example, if you ordered the wrong thing by accident.

Decline your return request – Sellers can only decline your return request if you changed your mind about an item and they stated in the listing that they don't accept returns. Or, if you missed the seller's deadline to start a return.

Send you a message – The seller may ask you for some more details about your return request, or offer the option of returning an item for a replacement or exchange instead of a refund.

When the seller replies, we'll send you an email with details of the next steps.

 

Tip
Once you open a return request, the seller has 3 business days to resolve the issue.

Send the item back

When the seller accepts your return, you'll receive an email to your Messages - opens in new window or tab with the subject “Send the item back”. You'll need to send it back within 10 business days, using tracked postage. Adding tracking details to your return helps protect against delays or issues in the refund process. If you use an eBay returns label, tracking details are automatically uploaded. If you're using your own label, you should manually add tracking details to the return. Who covers the postage costs depends on why you're returning it. Find more information about return postage.

When you're sending the item back, repack it carefully, and keep in mind that the condition you send the item back to the seller in is important.

If the returned item is used, damaged, missing parts, or is damaged during return postage because it wasn't packaged correctly, some sellers might deduct from your refund to cover the loss in the item's value. 

Tip
If the item has a total cost of 550 EUR or more it will need to be returned with a signature confirmation. Learn more about our signature confirmation requirements.

Get your refund

Once the item is delivered to the seller, your refund should be processed within 2 business days. Your refund will be sent to your original payment method and funds are usually available within 3-5 business days.

Some refunds may take a little longer. You can check the status of your request to find the refund deadline for your return.

Get help from eBay

Most of the time if you have an issue with a purchase, the seller will be able to solve it for you. However, if after 3 business days the seller hasn't been able to resolve your problem, you can ask us to step in and help within 21 business days of opening your return request.

Learn more about asking eBay for help.

Cancelling a request

If you've changed your mind about a case you've opened, and no longer want to return your item, it's easy to cancel your request.

Cancelling a Return request

To cancel a Return request:

  1. Go to your Purchase history - opens in new window or tab and find the item.
  2. Select See request details in the More actions dropdown menu.
  3. Select Close your request and choose your reason from the dropdown menu.

It's important to make sure you're certain you want to cancel a request, as you won't be able to re-open a case once it's been closed.

Misuse of returns or the eBay Money Back Guarantee

Engaging in activity as described in the Abusive Buyer Policy may result in a range of actions, including issuing warnings to buyers, blocking buyers from requesting returns or refunds on eBay, blocking buyers from opening claims, the loss of eBay Money Back Guarantee coverage, and account suspension.

Activity that is not allowed includes, but is not limited to:

  • Opening duplicate requests using other buyer protection programmes
  • Colluding with a seller to wrongly declare an item's value for customs
  • Filing a chargeback after receiving a refund
  • Claiming an item was not received when there is proof of delivery to the buyers address on the Order Details
  • Falsely claiming an item was not as described
  • Returning an item other than the original item received
  • Using or damaging and item and then returning it

You can find more information about our returns policies by referring to our eBay Money Back Guarantee policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I sent back the item, but the seller didn't receive it?

When returning an item you should always use tracked postage. If the item has a total cost of 550 EUR or more it will need to be returned with a signature confirmation. If you didn't, and think the seller should have gotten the item back by now, you can ask us to step in and help.

 
Can I return an item if my account is suspended?

No, if your eBay account is suspended, you won't be able to return any items until the reason for suspension has been resolved, and your account reinstated.

 
Can I return more than one item from my order?

Depending on the listing, you can return one item or multiple items. Here are your options:

  • Lots, sets, and bundled items – You need to return the entire quantity of the order. For example, if you bought a set of paintbrushes, you can't return just one of them.
  • Multi-quantity listings – You can return any quantity of your purchased items. For example, you selected a quantity of five t-shirts at checkout. You can return some or all of them, but you only have one opportunity to do so. If you choose to return two t-shirts, you can't return the other three later.
  • Multiple listings from the same seller – You can return each item. For example, you buy three books that the seller listed individually, but you paid for all of them at once at checkout. You can return each book individually.
 
How do refunds work for items sent through eBay International Shipping?

When your return is received at the US hub, we inspect it to make sure it's in the same condition. We then issue the refund on the seller's behalf to your original payment method, usually within 5 to 7 business days of receiving the item.

If the item you received arrived damaged, doesn’t match the listing description, or is the wrong item, you can return it even if the seller's returns policy says they don't accept returns.

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