After the purchase
The item didn’t match the ad. Now what?
A regulatory complaint and getting your money back are different tracks. Preserve proof and start the refund track promptly.
Document the difference.
Save the ad and listing as they appeared when you bought. Keep your receipt, order confirmation, shipment tracking, packaging, and messages with the seller. Photograph the item, model number, and any defect. If you test it, keep a record of how you tested it.
Request a specific remedy.
Contact the seller or marketplace in writing. Describe what was advertised, what you received, the order date and number, and what resolution you want. Keep the message factual. Avoid sending sensitive card details in email or public comments.
Use buyer protection before its deadline.
Marketplaces and payment methods may have separate deadlines. Check your order page and payment provider’s terms now. Do not wait for a government report to resolve your individual transaction.
Ask your payment provider about a dispute.
If the seller does not resolve a product that was not delivered or was materially different from what was advertised, contact your card issuer or payment provider promptly. Explain the discrepancy and provide your receipt, correspondence, and product evidence. Different protections and deadlines apply depending on how you paid.
Report the broader practice.
Flag the listing and seller through the marketplace. Report suspected fraud or bad business practices to the FTC. You can also find your state consumer-protection office. These reports may help identify patterns; they are not substitutes for a refund or dispute.
Refund track: seller → marketplace → payment provider. Reporting track: platform → FTC or state office. Each has a different purpose.
Your next move