How to Use Ebay Buyer Protection

1. Attempt to contact the seller by email and then through phone contact if needed. After these attempts have been exhausted and you are confident that the seller is not going to offer a replacement or refund, proceed through the eBay buyer protection process.
2. Go through the eBay Dispute Console and file a complaint describing the nature of the problem with the transaction. File the complaint at least 10 days after the transaction date and less than 60 days after the transaction date in order to be eligible for protection. These dates are in effect no matter when the item arrives. Sellers who are trying to get out of the seller protection system may put buyers off for long enough that the 60 days elapses and the item is no longer eligible.
3. Allow eBay to contact your seller. Read the response, if any, from the seller, which can include a message that the item has been sent, the payment was not received, a refund is being given or a replacement will be sent. You may receive more personalized communications in some instances with a choice of options to remedy the situation. If the seller doesn't want to choose from between the narrow band of options that are offered by eBay, he can send you a personal communication through the system, or through email, that offers you other options.
4. Close the dispute with the seller because the matter has been resolved or report the seller to eBay's Trust and Safety team because either the seller will not respond or will not respond to your satisfaction. Wait 30 days after the transaction before reporting the seller to the Trust and Safety team, who will better facilitate the transaction, which can include giving a refund or other taking actions against the seller.