eBay

product stopped working? You might still be covered.

Warranty coverage on eBay Australia varies depending on the seller and the product. eBay itself does not directly provide product warranties. However, coverage can come from:

✅ Manufacturer Warranty

• Applies when buying new products from Australian business sellers.
  
  
• Typically 12 months, sometimes longer (e.g., electronics, appliances).
  
  
• Allows direct manufacturer support and repairs.
  
  

✅ Seller Warranty

• Offered by individual sellers, especially common with eBay Refurbished items.
  
  
• Typically a 12-month warranty provided by the refurbishing seller, ensuring repair or replacement.
  
  

✅ eBay Money Back Guarantee (MBG)

• Short-term (30-day) buyer protection covering faulty, damaged, or misrepresented items.
  
  
• Immediate refunds or replacements during this period.
  
  

✅ Australian Consumer Law (ACL)

• Applies to all purchases from Australian sellers.
  
  
• Covers goods that fail to meet standards (acceptable quality, fit for purpose).
  
  

⚠️ Note on Imported/International Items:

• Manufacturer warranties might not apply in Australia.
  
  
• Overseas sellers may offer limited local support, making warranty claims challenging.
  

Claiming a warranty or reporting faulty items on eBay involves different steps depending on the scenario:

1. Within 30 Days (eBay MBG)

• Go to eBay Purchase History, select your item, and click “Return this item”.
  
  
• Clearly state the issue ("item defective," "not as described," etc.).
  
  
• Seller must respond within 3 business days; otherwise, escalate to eBay for resolution.
  
  

2. Manufacturer Warranty (After 30 Days)

• Check provided warranty documentation or manufacturer’s website for claim instructions.
  
  
• Submit claims directly to manufacturer's authorised service centre.
  
  
• Inform seller on eBay, who might help facilitate the process.
  
  

3. Seller Warranty (Refurbished items)

• Refer to seller-provided warranty information emailed or included in the package.
  
  
• Contact seller via provided warranty email/portal.
  
  
• Follow seller instructions for returning the item for repair or replacement.
  
  

4. Australian Consumer Law (ACL) Claim

• Contact seller via eBay messages explaining the fault clearly.
  
  
• If unresponsive, escalate to local Fair Trading or ACCC as necessary.
  
  

Always document communications and maintain evidence for your claims.

Warranty claims on eBay Australia may be denied under these conditions:

🚫 No Warranty After 30-Day MBG

• eBay’s direct protection ends after 30 days; afterward, you rely on sellers/manufacturers.
  
  

🚫 International Purchases (Grey Imports)

• Warranties for overseas items might not be enforceable locally.
  
  

🚫 Used or “As-Is” Items

• Items marked as "No warranty" or sold privately generally carry no coverage.
  
  

🚫 Accidental Damage & Misuse

• Damage from drops, spills, misuse, or unauthorized modifications aren’t covered.
  
  

🚫 Shipping Costs

• You may be responsible for return shipping fees, depending on warranty terms.
  
  

🚫 Warranty Expiry

• Claims made outside the stated warranty period are not covered unless protected by ACL.
  
  

🚫 Digital Products

• Digital downloads or services typically lack standard warranty coverage.
  
  

These exclusions do not limit your statutory rights under Australian Consumer Law.

Prepare these documents to ensure smooth processing of your warranty claim:

• Order Confirmation: eBay order receipt email, PayPal transaction details.
  
  
• Warranty Documentation: Warranty card, email, or seller-provided information (especially for refurbished items).
  
  
• Product Details: Model number, serial number, eBay Item ID.
  
  
• Photographic/Video Evidence: Clear evidence demonstrating the defect or fault.
  
  
• Communication Logs: Record of messages exchanged with the seller or eBay.
  
  
• Return Authorisation (RMA): Provided by seller or manufacturer, if applicable.
  
  

Having these details handy streamlines the warranty claim process significantly.

Warranty processing times vary based on the responsible party:

eBay Money Back Guarantee (MBG) – First 30 days

• Typically resolved within 3-7 days.
  
  

Seller Warranty (Refurbished or Seller Provided)

• Usually resolved within 2-3 weeks; dependent on seller responsiveness and repair turnaround.
  
  

Manufacturer Warranty

• Commonly resolved within 2-4 weeks; varies based on manufacturer repair timelines.
  
  

PayPal Purchase Protection (31-180 days)

• Resolution typically takes around 2-4 weeks after filing.
  
  

While straightforward claims are handled quickly, some international or complex cases can take longer. If a seller delays, escalate promptly to the relevant consumer protection bodies.