eBay Money Back Guarantee policy

eBay Money Back Guarantee covers most transactions on eBay. It means buyers can get their money back if an item didn't arrive, is faulty or damaged, or doesn't match the listing.

For all the details of how eBay Money Back Guarantee works — what's covered, what's excluded, and what buyers and sellers need to do — please read our full policy.

Coverage, eligibility requirements, and exclusions

eBay Money Back Guarantee applies when:

• The buyer doesn't receive an item
• The item received by the buyer doesn't match the listing, for example:
  • The seller sent the wrong item, or
  • The item arrives broken, damaged, or faulty
• The seller doesn't fulfill their return policy as stated in the listing

International purchases

When a seller offers an international shipping option (such as worldwide shipping), or doesn't exclude international shipping in their shipping settings, it may result in the buyer completing checkout on an eBay site other than the site used to create the listing.

Buyers and sellers are subject to the eBay Money Back Guarantee or other buyer protection policy (if available) of the site where the buyer completed checkout, regardless of the eBay site used to list the item or the registration details of the buyer or seller.

For more information about buying and selling internationally, please see our policies on International selling and International trading.

When the buyer doesn’t receive an item

Sellers are required to deliver the item to the address in the Order details, unless the buyer selected a local pickup option.

If the item doesn't arrive at the address provided by the buyer at checkout or isn't made available for collection, the buyer is entitled to a full refund, including original shipping costs (if applicable).

Actions & time frames when the buyer doesn’t receive an item

Exclusions and special coverage when the buyer doesn't receive an item

When the item received by the buyer doesn’t match the listing

Sellers are required to deliver the item as it was described in the listing. If the buyer receives the wrong item, or the item arrives broken, damaged, or faulty (and was not clearly described as such), they are entitled to return it for a refund, even if the seller doesn't offer returns.

Buyers and sellers may agree to another solution, such as a full or partial refund while the buyer keeps the item, or a replacement item instead of a refund.

Both buyers and sellers must meet all applicable return requirements. If an item is being returned, the seller is responsible for return shipping.

Actions & time frames for “Not as described” returns

Deciding the outcome when the item doesn’t match the listing

When a buyer reports that an item doesn't match the listing and the transaction meets eBay’s eligibility requirements [Anchor to ‘Coverage, eligibility requirements, and exclusions’ chapter], eBay will look for all of the following:

• Evidence that the buyer and seller have each met their return requirements [Anchor to ‘Return requirements and return shipping’ chapter]
• Whether the seller breached eBay policies when listing the item
• Whether the item can be shipped back to the seller
• Proof of return delivery [Anchor to ‘Proof of delivery for returned items’ chapter], if the item was being returned

If eBay determines that the seller did not meet their return requirements:

• The buyer will receive a refund for the full cost of the item and original shipping, and
• The seller will be required to reimburse eBay for the amount of the refund, and
• The buyer may not be required to return the item

If eBay determines that the buyer did not meet their return requirements, the buyer may not receive a full refund for the item and/or shipping costs.

Exclusions and special coverage when the item doesn't match the listing

eBay Authenticity Guarantee

Items that display the Authenticity Guarantee badge in the listing are first shipped to an authenticator who inspects the item prior to delivery to the buyer. This inspection ensures that the item purchased matches the listing description and verifies the item's authenticity.

Authenticity Guarantee purchases are covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee as detailed in this policy, with specific requirements and/or exclusions detailed below.

If an authenticated item is eligible to be returned, the buyer will be asked to ship the item back to the authentication facility for inspection to ensure that the item is being returned in the same condition.

What sellers need to know when shipping orders

The authenticator's address will be provided to the seller in the Order details. When the buyer reports that they didn't receive an item, eBay’ll look for evidence of successful delivery to this address.

Evidence of successful delivery to the authenticator

eBay requires all of the following to prove a successful on-time delivery:

• Tracking number from an integrated carrier which was uploaded to eBay and shows a shipping scan before the latest estimated delivery date
• A delivery status of "delivered" with a receipt scan by authenticator
• The date of delivery
• The recipient's address, showing the authenticator's address that matches the one found on the Order details page; and
• Signature confirmation, on orders with a total cost of $750 or more. Learn more about our signature confirmation requirements

eBay strongly recommends purchasing shipping insurance for high value orders.

What buyers need to know about returns

Some purchases inspected under Authenticity Guarantee are considered final sale. eBay Money Back Guarantee does not cover final sale purchases on the basis that the item doesn't match the listing.

Returns for final sale purchases are only eligible for coverage under eBay Money Back Guarantee when:

• The item was damaged during shipping, or
• The seller doesn't honor their stated returns policy

When the seller doesn't fulfill their return policy

If the listing states that the seller offers returns, the buyer may return the item for any reason, including if they change their mind about the item ("remorse" returns).

When a buyer requests a return within the seller's return policy, the seller must allow them to return the item for a full refund. The seller may exclude original shipping costs from the refund.

When the seller doesn't offer returns, or a remorse return request falls outside the seller's return window, the seller may exercise their discretion to accept or deny the return. If the seller chooses to accept the return, this will then be treated as if they had offered returns in the listing.

Both buyers and sellers must meet all applicable return requirements [Anchor to ‘Return requirements and return shipping’ chapter]. If an item is being returned for remorse reasons, the listing states which party is responsible for return shipping [Anchor to ‘Return shipping’ chapter].

Actions & time frames for “remorse” returns

Deciding the outcome when a seller doesn't fulfill their return policy

When eBay steps in on a "remorse" return request and the transaction meets our eligibility requirements [Anchor to ‘Coverage, eligibility requirements, and exclusions’ chapter], it will look for all of the following:

• Evidence that the buyer and seller have each met their return requirements [Anchor to ‘Return requirements and return shipping’ chapter]
• Proof of return delivery [Anchor to ‘Proof of delivery for returned items’ chapter], if the item was being returned

If eBay determines that the seller did not fulfill their return policy or did not meet their other return requirements, it will treat the case as if the item did not match the listing [Anchor to ‘When the item received by the buyer doesn’t match the listing’ chapter].

If eBay determines that the buyer did not meet their return requirements, the buyer may not receive a full refund for the item and/or for original or return shipping costs.

Return requirements and return shipping

Buyers and sellers may have a return case decided against them if they do not meet the requirements listed below and/or take action within the time frames specified in this policy.

Seller return requirements

• When a buyer requests a return for item not as described reasons, the seller must respond within the return request and offer a solution to the buyer's issue
• When a buyer requests a return for remorse reasons, the seller must honor their return policy as specified in the listing
• When the seller is responsible for return shipping [Anchor to ‘Return shipping’ chapter], the seller must provide a return shipping label or another return method that is acceptable to the buyer. eBay may provide the buyer with a return shipping label on the seller's behalf and will charge the seller for the cost of the label
• The seller's return address should be up to date in their Addresses in My eBay. If they haven't specified a return address, the item will be returned to the seller's registration address
• The seller must pay any applicable customs fees or duties on the returned item
• When refunding the buyer, the seller must issue the refund through the return request on eBay
• When shipping a replacement or exchange item, the seller must provide the new tracking details to the buyer

Buyer return requirements

• The buyer must return the item in the same condition in which it was received. If the item is returned used, damaged, or missing parts, some sellers may deduct the loss in value from the amount refunded to the buyer. For more information, see our Condition of returned items policy
• When the seller is responsible for return shipping [Anchor to ‘Return shipping’ chapter], the buyer must use the shipping label provided, or other return method agreed with the seller. If the buyer chooses to purchase their own label, they assume responsibility for return shipping, including the cost
• Any images added to a return request must be relevant to the return reason and comply with our Images, video and text policy
• When there are strong indicators that the buyer received a counterfeit item, the buyer must cooperate with eBay to ensure proper disposal of the item, and must not sell the item on eBay or elsewhere

Return shipping

Depending on the reason for the return, the seller or the buyer may be responsible for arranging and paying for a suitable return method.

Proof of delivery for returned items

Returns should be sent with tracked shipping that can be independently validated.

eBay requires all of the following to prove a successful return delivery:

• A delivery status of "delivered" or "attempted delivery" (or equivalent in the country to which the item was delivered)
• The date of delivery or attempted delivery
• The recipient's address, showing at least the city/county or zip code (or international equivalent) that matches the seller's specified return address; and
• Signature confirmation, on items with a total cost of $750 or more. Learn more about our signature confirmation requirements

If the party responsible for return shipping does not use a tracked service that meets these requirements, a case may be decided against them if the returned item doesn't arrive.

Refunds and billing for return shipping costs

If the buyer is responsible for return shipping, the return shipping cost won't be included in the refund.

If the seller is responsible for return shipping:

• Return shipping costs will be charged to the seller separately if:
  • The seller authorized the buyer to use an eBay return label, or
  • eBay provided a return label to the buyer on the seller's behalf
• If the seller sends funds to the buyer to pay for return shipping, the seller will not be refunded the amount by eBay even if the buyer chooses to not return the item

Estimated and actual delivery dates

Under eBay Money Back Guarantee, time frames to report an issue or request a return may be based on:

• The estimated delivery date (the latest date in the estimated delivery range that was provided to the buyer at checkout), or
• The actual delivery date (the date that tracking confirms the item was delivered, or the date that an item was collected)

The table below sets out which of these applies when determining the latest date to report an issue or request a return.

Buyers can find estimated delivery information in their Purchase history. Sellers can find the estimated delivery information that was provided to the buyer at the top of their Order details page.

Appeals and extensions

Appeals

When eBay decides the outcome of a transaction issue, the buyer or seller may submit an appeal within 30 calendar days of eBay's decision. As part of reviewing an appeal, eBay may ask the buyer or seller to provide additional documentation.

eBay reserves the right to seek reimbursement [Anchor to ‘Seller reimbursements to eBay’ chapter] from the seller for amounts refunded to the buyer, if a buyer successfully appeals.

Extensions

In some limited situations, eBay may extend the time frames specified above for buyers and/or sellers to take action and meet eBay Money Back Guarantee requirements.

• In individual cases, extensions may be offered to take into consideration factors such as the buyer's location, the shipping service used, whether tracking is available to show the status of a shipment, a seller's extended return window, or other circumstances such as fraud
• Extensions may be offered to buyers and sellers in particular locations to take into consideration delays due to circumstances such as natural disaster, national emergency, labor strike or governmental act. In most instances, eBay will notify buyers and sellers with an announcement on eBay.com

Refunds, payment holds and reimbursements

Refunds to buyers

For most purchases, buyers are refunded to their original payment method.

If eBay’s unable to send refunds to the buyer's original payment method, it may provide refunds by another method such as PayPal, or by coupons or vouchers redeemable for purchases on eBay.

Currency exchange rate applied to refunds

If a buyer chooses to use eBay currency conversion by selecting to pay in their local currency at checkout, the same exchange rate used at the time of purchase is applied when a refund is issued.

eBay does not cover losses a buyer may sustain that are attributable to fluctuations in currency exchange rates applied to the refund by the buyer's bank, credit card issuer, or payment service provider. If you are a buyer, please check the currency conversion policy imposed by your credit card issuer, bank, or payment service provider for information about conversion rates applied to refunds denominated in foreign currency.

Seller payment holds

If a buyer reports that they didn't receive an item or requests a return, or eBay steps in on an eBay Money Back Guarantee case, a seller's funds may be held by eBay as outlined in the User Agreement and Payments Terms of Use.

Seller reimbursements to eBay

If eBay determines that a buyer is entitled to a refund under this policy and issues a refund to the buyer on the seller's behalf, eBay may seek reimbursement from the seller by invoice, or by collecting the amount of the reimbursement from the seller as described in the Payments Terms of Use.

If reimbursement is unsuccessful, eBay reserves the right to seek reimbursement through other means.

Loss of coverage

Even if a transaction is eligible for eBay Money Back Guarantee, buyers can lose protection if they:

• Voluntarily close a request or case, or
• Open duplicate claims using other resolution methods, or
• Engage in fraudulent or abusive buying behavior, or
• Violate an eBay policy

Duplicate claims

A buyer may not seek resolution for the same transaction under more than one buyer protection program. eBay may close a buyer's eBay Money Back Guarantee case if the buyer files a chargeback or buyer protection claim for the same transaction with their payment provider (such as a credit card issuer or payment service provider), regardless of whether the chargeback or buyer protection claim is for the full or partial amount of the transaction.

If a seller loses a chargeback they may be eligible for payment dispute seller protections.

Fraudulent or abusive buyer behavior

Buyers will not be covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee if they make fraudulent claims or engage in activity as described in the Abusive buyer policy. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Colluding with a seller to wrongly declare an item's value for customs
• Filing a chargeback after receiving a refund
• Claiming an item was not received when there is proof of delivery to the address provided on the Order details page
• Falsely claiming an item was not as described
• Opening duplicate cases using other buyer protection programs
• Returning an item other than the original item received
• Using or damaging an item and then returning it

In addition to the consequences described in the User Agreement, eBay reserves the right to indefinitely suspend an individual's coverage under eBay Money Back Guarantee and impose any other sanctions eBay may deem necessary including issuing warnings, blocking a buyer's ability to request returns or refunds on eBay and account suspension.

Other terms and related policies

• eBay may provide buyers and sellers with access to each other's contact information in accordance with eBay’s User Privacy Notice
• eBay Money Back Guarantee is not a product warranty
• For items shipped through eBay International Shipping or the Global Shipping Program, the programs' terms and conditions for buyers provide more detail about how members are protected by eBay Money Back Guarantee:
  • eBay International Shipping buyer terms and conditions
  • Global Shipping Program buyer terms and conditions
• In certain situations, eBay may open a case on behalf of a user and decide the outcome immediately. For example, if a seller is suspended for fraudulent activity, eBay may automatically open a case and issue a refund to the buyer
• eBay reserves the right to fix any processing errors eBay discovers by debiting or crediting the payment method used for the incorrect refund or reimbursement
• Buyers and sellers permit eBay to make final decisions about all cases, including appeals

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