The situation is this.
I recently purchased an item (what it is doesn’t matter) using buy it now. As I am paying, I realize that my current address (away from home at college) isn’t considered a PayPal verified address and will not be accepted. A contact the seller, explain the situation and ask if he could ship to a non-verified address. He agrees, saying to add $2 for signature verification. I do so, including a note with my payment specifying the alternate address (I am positive that I added the note as I remember because I had some trouble finding the field to do so.)
Some how, the note didn’t make it and the seller sent the item to the wrong address. This is an item I need quickly. I chose the seller because he had the cheapest price with priority shipping. There isn’t time for the folks at home to relay the package to me here. I contact home and ask them to ship the item back to the seller when it arrives. (It hasn’t yet.) I contact the seller saying that the item will be sent back when it arrives at the wrong address, and asking for a refund when it arrives. I am informed that the seller refuses to give a refund because his description was accurate (note that it included not a word about return policies.) When pressed the seller offers the excuse that he can’t refund my money: “I don’t have the money, I spent it.”
Am I unreasonable in expecting a refund when the seller ships to an address he was told not to? Should I take this to the eBay powers that be? Advice would be greatly appreciated.
If the note was part of the comments you entered into the PayPal transaction screen when you paid, then there isn’t really any chance it didn’t get there - it’s far more likely he just didn’t notice it, forgot about your conversation on the special delivery address and sent it out.
However, I think the system is going to make it hard to pursue a refund, because most of the system for refunds is geared towards problems with the item, not that the shipping requirements - especially ad-hoc ones - were not met.
I personally would get someone to check the contents over carefully to make sure the item is OK*, then let it go - just resell the item yourself later when you have the time.
*(I hope it is OK, because if it turns out now that the item is actually damaged, the seller will never believe you didn’t just break it to force a return)
I’ve had this happen in the past. It’s much easier to just verify your current address. IIRC, all you have to do is enter your credit or debit or bank account address. I understand that may be difficult if you live on campus, but if you plan on buying more items in the future, it would be worth it. When I used campus mail, I was able to get around the not shipping to PO Boxes by giving the address as the school’s street address, and listing “CS” (campus station) instead of PO Box. Nobody ever knew the difference.
I don’t know. Unlike what Mangetout said, I’ve recently (like within the last month and I do a ton of cheap shopping there) had two separate transactions done through PayPal where the note field DID NOT work. So much hassle it’s been, that I’ve taken to sending a PM via eBay and an email as well to the seller if I’ve got any pertinent information that must be addressed (say, for personalization).
If that’s how you did it, then this maybe something to consider. I haven’t bothered to follow up with anyone because I’ve never had good success with that sort of thing. I just always find an end way around and take care of it myself. If that’s not what happened, then as far as your refund goes, I’d think you’d have to figure out if you even believe that person or not. He honestly shipped to the wrong place? Well, I’d chalk that up to fate and accept I’d get nothing as a refund. He’s lying about not receiving your instructions? Not sure there’s anything you could do regardless if you can’t prove it.
So sorry this happened to you, but I agree Santo Rugger that getting a verified address at school (by whatever means) would be the best way to go. Good luck!
Wow. I’ll stand corrected on that point. Thanks.
Still maintain best thing to do in this case is keep the item and resell it. Return process is hassle at the best of times.
No problemo. Just wanted to throw out what’s been happening to me recently. In other words, a non-ranty pit. 
But I do agree with you that going the return route is nothing but a headache. I’d simply keep it and do whatever I thought would serve me best.
Paypal will most likely support the seller in this instance because he shipped to a confirmed address. There have been just way too many scams with unverified addresses. Good luck, I guess there is always the outside chance you’ll get your refund (it doesn’t matter that the seller has spent the money, they’ll freeze his account until he refunds you if they tell him to refund).