

Still waiting on a eBay refund?
Can you get a refund from eBay? Check eligibility first
- eBay Money Back Guarantee (MBG):
- Covers items that don’t arrive, are faulty, damaged, or significantly different from the description.
- Applies to nearly all categories except vehicles, real estate, businesses, services, and classified ads.
- Requires payments via approved methods (PayPal, credit card via eBay, Afterpay, etc.).
- Covers items that don’t arrive, are faulty, damaged, or significantly different from the description.
- Change of Mind Returns:
- Dependent on seller policy. If sellers offer returns (often 30 days), you may return items even if nothing is wrong.
- No returns allowed if explicitly stated by the seller unless item is faulty or not as described.
- Dependent on seller policy. If sellers offer returns (often 30 days), you may return items even if nothing is wrong.
- Exclusions:
- Purchases made through offline methods (cash or bank transfer outside eBay).
- Used/damaged items caused by buyer’s misuse or buyer's remorse after usage.
- Purchases made through offline methods (cash or bank transfer outside eBay).
How to get a refund from eBay
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Initiate Return via eBay:
- Go to your Purchase History and select the problematic transaction.
- Choose “I didn’t receive it” for undelivered items or “Return this item” for returns.
- Go to your Purchase History and select the problematic transaction.
- Select Reason & Provide Evidence:
- Clearly pick the reason for your return.
- Upload photos or additional proof if the item is faulty or incorrect.
- Clearly pick the reason for your return.
- Wait for Seller Response (up to 3 business days):
- Seller may approve the refund, provide a return shipping label, or dispute the claim.
- Seller may approve the refund, provide a return shipping label, or dispute the claim.
- Ship the Item Back (if required):
- Use the provided return shipping label or send with tracking. For items over AU $750, include signature confirmation.
- Use the provided return shipping label or send with tracking. For items over AU $750, include signature confirmation.
- Receive Your Refund:
- Upon seller receiving and inspecting your return (typically within 2 business days), the refund is processed.
- Upon seller receiving and inspecting your return (typically within 2 business days), the refund is processed.
- Escalate to eBay (if needed):
- If seller doesn’t respond or resolve within 3 business days, click “Ask eBay to step in”.
- eBay typically resolves within 48 hours.
- If seller doesn’t respond or resolve within 3 business days, click “Ask eBay to step in”.
- Confirm Case Closure:
- Ensure your refund is received before closing the case on eBay’s Resolution Centre.
- Ensure your refund is received before closing the case on eBay’s Resolution Centre.
eBay’s refund timeframe - how long it takes
- Initial Reporting:
You must report issues within 30 calendar days of delivery or expected delivery. - Seller Response:
Sellers have up to 3 business days to respond to your claim. - eBay Resolution:
If escalated, eBay usually resolves cases within 2 additional days. - Refund Processing (after approval):
- PayPal: Typically within 1-2 days.
- Credit/Debit Card: 3-5 business days.
- Afterpay/Klarna: Adjusted/refunded within 5-7 business days.
- PayPal: Typically within 1-2 days.
- Total Expected Timeframe:
Typically 1-2 weeks for straightforward cases. Return-required scenarios might take 2-3 weeks considering postage times.
eBay’s refund methods - how you'll get your money back
- Original Payment Method (default):
- Credit/Debit Card: Refund back to your card.
- PayPal: Immediate credit to your PayPal balance.
- Afterpay/Klarna: Adjustments or refunds through BNPL provider.
- Bank Transfer: Direct refund to your bank account.
- Credit/Debit Card: Refund back to your card.
- Split Payments:
- Refunds proportionally to each original payment method.
- Refunds proportionally to each original payment method.
- Partial Refunds:
- Negotiable through eBay messaging if buyer and seller agree.
- Negotiable through eBay messaging if buyer and seller agree.
- No Cash/Cheque:
- All refunds handled electronically via original payment channels.
- All refunds handled electronically via original payment channels.
Common refund issues with eBay
- Seller Non-Responsiveness:
- Delays due to unresponsive sellers. Always escalate promptly.
- Delays due to unresponsive sellers. Always escalate promptly.
- Item Marked Delivered but Missing:
- Challenging if tracking shows delivered. Always ensure secure delivery options (signature confirmation recommended).
- Challenging if tracking shows delivered. Always ensure secure delivery options (signature confirmation recommended).
- Delayed Refunds:
- Banking or processing delays occasionally extend refund times beyond eBay's usual estimate.
- Banking or processing delays occasionally extend refund times beyond eBay's usual estimate.
- Return Condition Disputes:
- Sellers disputing returned item's condition. Document your return carefully (photos recommended).
- Sellers disputing returned item's condition. Document your return carefully (photos recommended).
- Return Without Tracking:
- Always use tracked shipping. Lack of tracking can cause refund denials.
- Always use tracked shipping. Lack of tracking can cause refund denials.
- Processing Issues (Expired Cards/Accounts):
- If your card is expired, contact eBay or your bank immediately to reroute your refund.
- If your card is expired, contact eBay or your bank immediately to reroute your refund.
eBay cases submitted through Ajust
Customer experiences with eBay refund cases
Smooth Item-Not-Received Case: Buyer opened a claim, the seller did not respond. eBay quickly refunded within days.
Partial Refund Negotiation: Buyer agreed to a partial refund due to minor product fault. Quickly resolved with a prompt refund.
Denied Refund Due to Tracking: Buyer claimed item was missing despite tracking showing delivery. eBay denied refund, highlighting need for secure delivery arrangements.
How eBay Refund Policy Compares to Competitors
- eBay vs. Amazon:
- Amazon’s returns typically smoother, especially for Prime items. Amazon offers more comprehensive change-of-mind returns.
- eBay better suited for unique and second-hand items between individual sellers.
- Amazon’s returns typically smoother, especially for Prime items. Amazon offers more comprehensive change-of-mind returns.
- eBay vs. Gumtree/Facebook Marketplace:
- eBay offers significantly more protection via MBG compared to these platforms, which provide minimal buyer protection.
- eBay offers significantly more protection via MBG compared to these platforms, which provide minimal buyer protection.
- eBay vs. Etsy:
- Both have structured dispute systems, but eBay’s MBG is generally stronger, particularly for high-value items.
- Both have structured dispute systems, but eBay’s MBG is generally stronger, particularly for high-value items.
- eBay vs. AliExpress:
- eBay provides faster and clearer resolution than AliExpress, which often involves lengthy negotiations and international shipping complexities.
- eBay provides faster and clearer resolution than AliExpress, which often involves lengthy negotiations and international shipping complexities.
- Ease of Filing Claims:
- eBay’s intuitive interface matches well with competitors like Amazon.
- eBay’s intuitive interface matches well with competitors like Amazon.
- Refund Speed:
- Slightly slower than Amazon but significantly faster and more reliable than AliExpress and many smaller platforms.
- Slightly slower than Amazon but significantly faster and more reliable than AliExpress and many smaller platforms.
eBay Refund FAQs
Can I get a refund from eBay for any purchase?
You can get a refund from eBay if the item is faulty, not received, or not as described. Change-of-mind returns depend on the seller's return policy. eBay’s Money Back Guarantee covers most items except vehicles, real estate, and services. Refund eligibility also depends on paying via approved methods like PayPal or Afterpay. Always check the listing’s return terms and act within 30 days of delivery.
How long does it take to get a refund from eBay?
Most eBay refunds are processed within 1-2 weeks. Refunds without returns are faster; return-required cases may take up to 3 weeks. eBay allows sellers 3 business days to respond, and will step in if needed. Once approved, refunds take 1-7 business days depending on payment method. Tracking your case through eBay helps avoid delays.
What should I do if the eBay seller doesn’t respond?
If a seller doesn’t respond within 3 business days, you can ask eBay to step in. eBay will usually resolve the issue within 48 hours. Be sure to provide evidence like tracking details or item photos. Escalating quickly can prevent refund delays and ensure your rights are protected under the Money Back Guarantee.
Why was my eBay refund denied even though I didn’t get the item?
eBay may deny refunds if tracking shows the item was delivered. In these cases, secure delivery (e.g. signature confirmation) helps prove non-receipt. Always use tracked shipping and document returns. If your refund is denied, you can appeal via eBay's Resolution Centre. Be proactive-delays, missing tracking, or damaged items can hurt your claim.
You deserve your money back, don’t let it slip away.
Take two minutes to file a formal
eBay
refund request that gets seen.