I ordered shoes which appeared to be Europe based with a reasonably short delivery. They didn't arrive for over 2 weeks and I saw the estimated delivery date had increased by a week "due to severe weather" and that they were shipping from China. I waited until the day after this extended delivery date. At that point a Royal Mail number was showing but not a postage date, and on Royal Mail tracker it said the tracker did not recognise the provided number. At that point I raised a grievance with the seller and eBay, requesting a refund.
I got a note back from the seller saying they had now arrived in England and should be with me in 3-4 business days.
On day 4 they arrived, not in a box just in a jiffy bag, and smelling strongly of chemicals, but they are the shoes I ordered or a copy of them.
This was a couple of days ago.
Today I was awarded a refund by eBay after they looked into the case and the seller couldn't provide proof of posting. I know they have arrived of course. I have received a note from the seller asking why, since I did receive the item, I escalated the complaint - (I actually didn't contact eBay except the one time before the item arrived) saying there was a warehouse fire which was beyond her control, saying she is divorced with 2 children and needs the money and asking me to return the refund to her.
I have replied saying I did not escalate the complaint, that I am sorry for her situation but that it is not my fault that she was unable to provide required proof of postage, and that I will attempt to let eBay know that I did eventually receive the item. Which I have tried to do via an online form, but I don't know if it will succeed in cancelling the refund.
On the one hand, I will obviously not buy from this person again. I find it deeply unprofessional that she is basically accusing me of scamming her and asking me to return the money by escalating a complaint after receiving the item, which I didn't do. However, as the shoes took over 3 weeks to arrive I did end up out of pocket as I had to buy another pair to wear. Also it isn't my fault that she can't prove postage to eBay. On the other hand, I did get the shoes in the end and wasn't expecting a refund as well.
Wwyd? Return the money or not?