Item not as described; can we fix it without a dispute

[KatyMac]

Bought some fabric only half the amount arrived - I do have just enough to do my project but it's tight

Contacted the seller and she is happy to do a partial refund and cross with herself that she didn't measure it properly

But the money hasn't been released to her because I haven't marked it as 'arrived' - I have no idea how to (I have looked on eBay & Paypal)

So is the only thing to do a dispute or is there something else?

I’ve never has to wait until it’s marked as arrived. The money goes in as soon as the buyer pays. I feel she is pulling a fast one. Open a dispute.

I've had money held in paypal more than once I think it is a real thing and doesn't necessarily mean a scam.

You have to be very careful with Ebay rules on things like this, I'd advice making sure you check into it fully.

Thanks

Tricky isnt it - so should I do a dispute? it seems a bit mean

There are no consequences for a seller when you open a dispute, as long as they resolve the situation.

It’s by far the most simplest route here. Open a not as described case and the seller will be given an option to offer you a partial refund. You can accept and the dispute is closed. Job done.

PS sometimes PayPal withholds money from the seller, sometimes not. It usually happens with new sellers.

I have had to return 2 items i bought from ebay in the last 2 weeks
Both had parts missing, and the names on the account was English, when it came to paying it changed to chinese,
That isn't the problem though,the first argued but refunded
The 2nd insisted on me sending a photo before they refunded,
I have never had to say arrived,if it hadn't why would you complain it was short, you wouldn't know
Shes trying it on,just say you will open a dispute,i bet you get a refund

I think she's blagging you. She needs to send you a partial refund, and can do that directly from PayPal. She doesn't need to wait for you to mark item as arrived. Ask her for the refund, give her a day or two and then open a dispute if not received.

Well she has failed me about 5 times asking me to mark it as arrived or ring ebay/paypal this is nearly a week now

So just a dispute? I'll do that in the morning

Thanks all

I have recently started selling on eBay and they automatically hold payments through PayPal for a few days, or until the buyer marks the item as received. They will also do this if the item is over a certain value. I would contact eBay and ask for some help to get around this, they're quite good.

From my experience this sounds like shes a new-ish Seller, and so any payments going to her are on the Paypal hold - this is not unusual.
They are then released after 21(?) days, sometimes quicker if tracking is used / positive FB received. She wont be able to issue a refund until the funds are released to her, well not without calling Paypal and explaining it.
Easiest way - let her know you are opening a case for 'Item not as described', as through this there will then be an option for her to issue a partial refund. The opening of a case itself wont have any affect on her account as long as resolved.
Hope you get it sorted asap :)

I did a 'return' clicked 'not as described' and I have had the refund sorted already

So I left a lovely feedback