Item won't arrive by advertised date.

[Puer_aeternus33]

I preordered a vinyl record on 10/10/2020. The release date was supposed to be 2\26\2021. The seller contacted me today to inform me the release date has been pushed back until 4/09/2021. I kindly asked for a refund at this time as that release date will now put me past the 180 day protection period provided by PayPal. That's even assuming it doesn't get delayed again. The seller made a big point about saying that preorders can not be cancelled or refunded. Its states so on the website, etc. I explained that I understand that but you, the seller, also have an obligation to release the item when you say you will. Its not that I don't want the item. Its that they are asking me to trust that a.( They won't keep perpetually delaying the item until it reaches past the 180 day protection period and then never deliver it. I will have no recluse then. b). The item arrives damaged and they won't replace it. Again I am left without any consumer protection. Its not as if this is being delayed by a few days. They put the preorder up in October 2020. Plenty of time to make arrangements. When I pointed this out they just blamed covid. Which seems to be the blanket excuse for when you fail to do something as promised. Can I file a dispute with PayPal and receive a refund?

[kernowlass]

@Puer_aeternus33 

Yes.

How do I open a dispute with a seller when a purchase goes wrong?

You can open a dispute in the Resolution Centre of your PayPal account within 180 days of payment if:
•You don’t receive the item OR service
•You receive an item but it’s significantly different than the description on eBay or on the seller’s website (or you receive a totally different product).

By opening a dispute, you can communicate directly with your seller to work out a problem transaction.

If you reach an agreement with the seller you can close the dispute. If you're still not happy with the result, you can escalate the dispute into a claim. Paypal will review the claim and decide on reimbursement.

These steps apply to Personal accounts. If you have a Business account, please log in to see the steps that apply to you.

To open a dispute:
1.Log in to your PayPal account.
2. Click on the transaction and use the resolve a problem option at the bottom of that details page.

Note:
•Generally buyers must wait at least 7 days from the date of payment to escalate a dispute for an item not received
•Where an item has not been received, please ensure you have given the seller enough time before opening a dispute

Do not close the dispute until you have a refund or your item.
If a seller states that they can't refund until you have closed the dispute don't believe them.
Escalate the dispute to a claim within 20 days (before it times out), if you need Paypal to get involved.

If you lose because the seller provides a fake tracking number then post back here for more advice.
If the item arrives and its not what you ordered / not as described then make sure you change the dispute quickly from non receipt. If the dispute times out before you can change it then contact customer services to open a second dispute for the new reason.

Activate the below link in case you have to return the item at Paypals request (or the correct one for your country as this is the U.S link).
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/returns

If that does not work then if you funded your paypal payment via a card then contact your card issuer and see if they will issue a chargeback.