Sometimes an eBay purchase goes wrong. Maybe the goods weren't as described by the seller, or the product arrived damaged. In that case, you need to apply for a refund.

Thankfully, even though eBay is a marketplace predominately driven by individuals, the site's refund process is robust. You shouldn't encounter any difficulties in getting your money back.

If you need to return an item on eBay, keep reading. Here's the full eBay refund process explained.

Are You Eligible for an eBay Refund?

You are not automatically eligible for a refund if you decide you simply don't like the product you bought.

If you have changed your mind about a purchase, you can still approach the seller and ask about a rebate. Most of the well-established, high reputation sellers will be open to your request, but someone who's just sold a random item they wanted to get rid of might not be so willing.

Otherwise, check out the eBay Money Back Guarantee Policy to see if you're eligible for a proper refund.

How to Return an Item on eBay

If your product is damaged, faulty, or not as expected, you are eligible for a refund. You are covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee Policy, even if the seller states they do not accept returns. The Guarantee states that the seller has three days to resolve the issue.

If no resolution is found, eBay will take control of the matter. You and the seller will both be asked to provide details of the case, and a decision will be reached in 48 hours.

To start the returns process, follow the instructions below:

  1. Log into your eBay account.
  2. Go to My eBay > Purchase History.
  3. Click on Return this item.
  4. Select your reason for the return from the drop-down menu.
  5. Upload pictures if necessary.
  6. Hit Send.

You will get a notification when the seller responds. After the seller receives the returned item, they have two days to issue a refund.

To learn more about shopping on eBay, check out our article about how you can win any eBay auction with automatic bidding.