If you decide to buy something on eBay, you are expected to pay first before anything is sent to you. As a buyer you are vulnerable to a variety of problems. It's possible you will not get the items you paid for, or they may even be faulty or damaged. Lucky for you, you have two very important eBay buyer rights.

eBay Buyer Rights Number 1 - The Right to Obtain Your Item

The item you purchase could get lost in the mail or the seller just may never have sent it. Whatever the reason, you have paid for the product. If it does not come in the mail as they said it would, you have every right to a replacement or refund, whether or not it is the seller's fault.

Just because you chose to buy an item from eBay it does not mean that you don't have the very same rights as you would if you purchased it from a store. Plus, according to eBay's rules, as a seller you are not allowed to change your mind and decide not to sell the item. As soon as the auction is over, both buyer and seller are then under contract to follow through to the very end or face eBay's penalties.

eBay Buyer Rights Number 2 - The Right to Receive Your Item as it Was Described in the Auction

Occasionally sellers will write misleading descriptions, neglecting to include such details about an item that would have otherwise caused you to think twice about purchasing it. Sometimes the seller is not careful enough about wrapping the items properly, and they may get broken. If anything like this happens to you, you have the right to a refund or replacement.

How Do I Use My eBay Buyer Rights

The first thing you should do is to communicate with the seller. Most will respond in kind, they do not want their reputation to be damaged, as you would be likely to leave negative feedback and other future buyers would take note of this. If going to the source does not work, report them to eBay.

Don't Be Too Quick

Try not to be too annoyed and get unfair with the seller. I have experienced situations where the seller has agreed to give me a refund for an item that was never delivered and we later found out that it was being held at the post office! Do the best you can to communicate and to think of what could have gone wrong.

Ebay is a great place to shop when buyers and sellers can sort through their own problems and avoid getting eBay involved.