How to sue an online seller in small claims court.
Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, Venmo/Cash App scams, gig services, FedEx. Each has its own recovery path. Most platform disputes get solved through their own buyer-protection programs — so try those first. For peer-to-peer payment scams and Marketplace fraud, small claims under your state's consumer-protection laws is usually the move.
What kind of online-seller dispute are you having?
Each platform has different recovery paths. Pick yours for state-specific advice.
How small claims handles online-seller disputes.
Online-seller cases have layered options. Platform programs (Amazon A-to-z, eBay MBG, Etsy cases) settle most disputes for free. Credit-card chargebacks cover almost everything else. Small claims is the right court when those fail and the loss is within your state’s cap, especially with state UDAP multipliers.
Belongs in small claims
Doesn’t belong here
What can you recover?
The math judges use. A typical online-seller case stacks the price you paid, the cost of mitigation (return shipping, replacement at higher price), and any UDAP multiplier your state allows.
What you paid for the item or service that did not arrive or was not as described.
Many state consumer-protection laws add 2x or 3x damages plus attorney fees when the seller engaged in fraud or deceptive practices.
Return shipping, replacement at higher price, lost time, restocking fee. Keep the receipts.
Filing fee, service-of-process cost, pre-judgment interest at the state legal rate.
What evidence do you need to sue an online seller?
Online-seller cases live in screenshots. The listing, the order confirmation, the messages with the seller, and the platform case decision are the spine of the case. Pull everything before the listing or message thread disappears.
Original listing screenshot
What was promised. Listings change or disappear after disputes; capture it the moment something feels off.
Order confirmation and receipt
Confirmation email, invoice, or platform receipt with order number, date, and amount.
Messages with the seller
Platform messages, emails, texts. Especially anything where the seller acknowledges the problem or refuses to fix it.
Payment record
Bank statement, credit-card line item, or payment-app screenshot showing the dollar amount and date.
Platform case decision
Amazon A-to-z, eBay MBG, Etsy case outcome. If they ruled against you, print the decision; it shows you exhausted the platform.
Photos of what arrived
Side-by-side with the listing photos. Damage, wrong item, counterfeit, or empty box. Include packaging if relevant.
State-specific rules.
UDAP multipliers (2x or 3x in many states), pre-judgment interest, and consumer-protection statutes vary by state. Pick yours for the exact rules.
See all 50 state guides →Common questions.
The questions buyers actually ask before filing. Don’t see yours? Email support.
Can I sue an online seller in small claims court?
Yes. Most platforms have their own buyer-protection programs (Amazon's A-to-z, eBay's Money Back Guarantee, Etsy's case system). Try those first — they're free and resolve in 30-60 days. If the platform denies your case, state consumer-protection laws apply (many states let you ask for 2x or 3x damages). Small claims is right when the dollar amount is within your state's cap.
What's the difference between Amazon and Facebook Marketplace?
Amazon, eBay, and Etsy have buyer-protection programs that resolve disputes within their platform. Facebook Marketplace has no platform protection — you're on your own. For Marketplace, your two paths are: dispute the charge with your credit-card company, or file a small-claims case under your state's consumer-protection law.
Can I sue Venmo or Cash App scams?
Yes, but the peer-to-peer apps themselves won't reverse a payment you authorized. Federal law (Regulation E) only protects you when someone hacked your account. For authorized payments that turned out to be scams, your path is small claims under your state's consumer-protection law. For clear theft, also file a police report.
Can I sue DoorDash or Uber?
Yes, in small claims. Their terms of service force most disputes into private arbitration, but small claims is almost always carved out as an option. Read the relevant section of their terms before filing.
How do I sue FedEx?
Federal law (the Carmack Amendment) governs interstate shipments. The default coverage is only $100 per package — pay for 'declared value' coverage if you ship something more expensive. File a claim with FedEx directly first; small claims is your backup if they deny it.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. CivilCase is not a law firm. Platform protection programs and state UDAP statutes vary widely. Verify deadlines and citations against your state’s official source before filing. Read our disclaimer.