How does eBay Buyer Protection work?
1Contact the seller
If your item hasn't arrived or isn't as described, let the seller know. Most sellers are happy to quickly resolve issues like these.
Contact the seller if your item hasn't arrived or it isn't as described.
2If you need us,
we step in
If after a few days you're not happy with the seller's resolution, we're here to help.
Just go to the Resolution Center and let us know.
3We'll work quickly to
get your money back
We'll review the issue and get back to you within 48 hours.
If you haven't received your item or received something that wasn't as described, eBay will refund your full purchase price plus original shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
- WHAT DOES EBAY BUYER PROTECTION COVER?
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eBay Buyer Protection protects you in cases where an item is not received or is not as described in the listing. It covers purchases paid with PayPal and most other electronic payment methods.
eBay Buyer Protection applies to virtually every item on www.ebay.com. The only categories excluded are Vehicles (for which we have the eBay Vehicle Protection Program), Real Estate, Business & Websites for Sale, classified listings and some Business Equipment categories that may be covered by the eBay Business Equipment Purchase Protection. It does not apply to websites other than www.ebay.com like eBay Digital Music Center or eBay Wholesale Deals.
Learn more about full details, terms and conditions for eBay Buyer Protection
- WHAT DOES IT COST AND HOW DO I GET IT?
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eBay Buyer Protection is free and automatically included on virtually every item on www.ebay.com.
- WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT TIMEFRAMES?
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If there's a problem, let the seller know via the Resolution Center as soon as you (should) have received your item. You're eligible for Buyer Protection if you do so any time within 45 days of your payment.
After contacting the seller, it's up to you whether you want eBay to step in. You should give the seller at least 3 business days to resolve the issue, but don't wait longer than 30 days.
- WHAT HAPPENS IF I ASK EBAY TO STEP IN?
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If you haven't received an item, we usually refund your money immediately via PayPal. If you received an item that wasn't as described, we'll typically help you return it to the seller first and then refund you. In the few cases where we don't issue full refunds, it's normally because an item eventually arrived, or that you decided to keep an item that wasn't as described instead of returning it.
- WHAT IF THE SELLER DOESN'T OFFER RETURNS?
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If you received an item that is not as described or didn't receive an item at all, eBay Buyer Protection always protects you, even if the seller does not offer returns.
If you received an item that was as described but you changed your mind and do not want it anymore, eBay Buyer Protection does not apply, but many sellers still offer returns.