Video game gone: private seller sends registered mail instead of DHL parcel – next steps? | Members help members

flofu2912 · 2026-07-07T06:36:04.644536Z

Hello everyone,I’d really appreciate an assessment of the options and scope of buyer protection.I bought a Pokémon game (cartridge only) and manual, item no.: 137464676231 for just under €100 from a (supposedly) private seller.According to the item description, shipping was supposed to be sent as a “DHL parcel”.Yesterday, a blank envelope arrived at my place containing only plastic film (the seller unilaterally sent it as a registered letter). There was no sign of either the cartridge or the manual. The envelope was slightly open at the side, so the cartridge could have been removed from the envelope there. However, the manual definitely would not have fit through that opening.In principle, I suspect that this was not a legitimate transaction. However, proving that is more time-consuming and lengthy.I contacted the seller immediately after receiving the letter. She briefly told me that everything had been sent properly and that there would be video surveillance of it. The nature of the response supports my suspicion described above. Incidentally, after a quick search on the sender, the seller also appears to run a second-hand shop, so the claim that she is a private seller is also questionable.Regardless of the assumptions above, as far as I know the private seller bears the risk of loss if they deviate from the agreed shipping method without consent (§ 447 Abs. 2 BGB). In this case, if the game had been shipped as the agreed DHL parcel, it would have been insured up to an amount of €500.As soon as I can open a case in eBay after the deadline has expired, in my assessment the system will automatically take into account the stored tracking number as well as the delivery marked as successful and decide the case against me.Is there a way, either in advance or as part of the case handling, to ensure that the matter is manually reviewed by a customer service representative?I still reserve the right to take further legal steps, but first and foremost I’m initially just looking to get the purchase price refunded.Thanks and best regards

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Video game gone: private seller sends registered mail instead of DHL parcel – next steps? | Members help members | eBay Germany