How do returns work?

🔄 How Do Returns Work

SidelineSwap offers two types of buyer protection:

1. SidelineSwap Buyer Protection — covers items that don’t arrive as advertised.

2. Seel Return Assurance — lets you return items that do arrive as advertised, for any reason.

Read below to see how each works.

🚫 Items That Don’t Arrive as Advertised

If your item arrives broken, missing pieces, or not as described, you can open a dispute for a refund.

1. Within 72 hours of receiving the item, go to your swap page.

2. Click “Mark as Received” or “Accept or Reject Item.”

3. Select “No, Not as Advertised” and explain what’s wrong.

Once a dispute is reviewed and determined to be valid, you’ll have two options:

1. Negotiate a partial refund

   • Message the seller from your swap page to agree on an amount.

   • Once both sides confirm, SidelineSwap will process the refund to your card.

   • Recommended: This avoids return shipping and gets you a faster resolution.

2. Return for a full refund

   • You’ll receive a prepaid return shipping label if it’s determined the item wasn’t as advertised.

   • Once the item is returned, you’ll get a full refund.

💡 Note: Orders become non-refundable as soon as you approve the sale, or 72 hours after delivery—whichever comes first. Items that have been used also can’t be disputed.

SidelineSwap is built on a community of honest sellers, and most are quick to work with buyers to make things right.

✅ Items That Arrive as Advertised

If your item matches the listing description but isn’t quite what you wanted—say it doesn’t fit, or you changed your mind—the seller isn’t required to accept a return, though they can choose to.

If the seller does agree to take the item back:

• You’ll be refunded the item cost only.

• Original shipping and return shipping are not refundable.

• For this reason, we generally recommend relisting the item in your locker to resell it.

💡 Returning Items with Seel Return Assurance

If you purchased Seel Return Assurance at checkout, you’re covered — even if your item arrived exactly as described.

With Seel, you can:

• Return any item for any reason within 7 days of delivery, as long as it’s still in usable condition.

• Request a return right from your swap page by selecting “No, Request Seel Return.”

• You’ll then be redirected to Seel’s return portal to complete the process.

Once your return is submitted, Seel handles everything directly, including communication and your refund.

🧾 Note for sellers: Seel accepts the return, so your payout isn’t affected — buyers get their refund, and you still get paid.

Didn’t add Seel this time? Consider it for your next purchase for extra flexibility and peace of mind.
Learn more about Seel Return Assurance →

⚖️ Quick Comparison

💬 Summary

• Not as described? Open a dispute within 72 hours for a refund or return.

• As described, but not right for you? If you bought Seel, you can return it within 7 days.

• Didn’t add Seel? You can still message the seller to see if they’ll accept a return — or simply relist it in your locker.