Tell the seller and the marketplace right away, and do not use the item until the case is resolved. The key issue is whether the refund is only requested or has already been approved or paid out, because that changes whether you should expect a return.
Do this today:
- Open the order or dispute page and check the current status of the refund request. Look for wording such as “pending,” “approved,” “refunded,” “closed,” or “case resolved.”
- Send a message to both the seller and the platform, if the platform has a built-in case system. Say that the item arrived after your refund request and include the order number, tracking number, and delivery date shown on the tracking page.
- Save proof of delivery and the package details. A screenshot of the tracking event, the delivery confirmation, and the shipping label can help if the seller says the parcel was never delivered or was delivered to the wrong address.
- Keep the item unused and, if possible, keep the packaging. If the seller or platform later asks for a return, you may need the original condition and box.
If the refund is still pending, ask the seller or platform to update the case in light of the delivery. The practical point is to make sure they see that the parcel arrived, so the refund decision is based on the latest status and not on an old tracking event.
If the refund has already been paid, do not assume you can keep the item automatically. Ask the seller or platform, in writing, whether they want it returned and who pays return shipping. Their answer depends on the marketplace rules, the seller’s terms, and sometimes the payment method or the country involved, so check the message thread or case record for the exact instruction.
If the seller says the item is now yours, keep that written confirmation. If they say it must be returned, follow the instructions they give and keep the return receipt or tracking number.
If the platform does not respond, use the same order and tracking evidence in the formal dispute or appeal path for that marketplace. The most useful evidence is usually the order ID, refund-request date, and the tracking event showing when the parcel actually arrived.
Practical tip: Take a screenshot of the refund status before it changes, because a “pending” case can turn into “closed” or “refunded” while you are still waiting for an answer.
