When should I consider small claims court for eCommerce disputes?

Consider court when the amount is between £200 and £10,000, you have documentation like contracts, tracking, and messages, and the other party is based in England or Wales or has a UK-registered business address.

Can I claim against Amazon or eBay directly?

Generally, your claim is against the buyer or seller, not the platform. However, if Amazon is the seller (not a third-party marketplace seller), you can claim against Amazon. Platforms often have buyer/seller protection schemes that should be exhausted first.

What evidence do I need for a chargeback dispute?

Key evidence includes delivery confirmation with tracking, proof of delivery signatures, customer correspondence, order details, IP addresses matching billing addresses, and any communication showing the customer received the goods.

AmazoneBayEtsyShopifyTikTok Shop

eCommerce Disputes: Turn Unpaid Orders Into Recoverable Money

No solicitors needed. Step-by-step guidance to recover what you're owed through UK small claims court. Built for marketplace sellers dealing with chargebacks, unpaid invoices, and unfair claims.

Check If Your Dispute Can Become a Claim View Detailed Guides

Claims £200 - £10,000England & WalesNo solicitor required

Common eCommerce Disputes We Help With

From unpaid work to unfair complaints, our guides cover the disputes you face.

Customer Disputes

Buyer Claims Item "Not As Described"

When customers abuse returns policies or make false claims to get refunds they are not entitled to.

Misdescription Allegations

Counter unfair "item not as described" claims when your listing was accurate.

Digital & Subscriptions

SaaS & Software Disputes

Cancelled subscriptions, disputed charges, or digital service disagreements.

Supplier & Platform Issues

Platform Hasn't Paid Out

When marketplaces withhold funds, delay payments, or fail to release your earnings.

3PL, Courier & Agency Failures

Warehouse damage, lost shipments, or agencies that charged but delivered nothing.

Other Money Owed

Over-Refunded Customers

Customer received refund but kept the goods, or was accidentally double-refunded.

Rejected Stock Insurance

Insurance company rejected your claim for lost, damaged, or stolen inventory.

Overpayment Recovery

Recover money from suppliers, customers, or partners who were overpaid.

When to Consider Small Claims Court

Most disputes start as complaints or negotiations. Here's when it makes sense to consider court action.

Consider Court Action When:

The amount is £200 - £10,000 — below the small claims track limit
You have documentation — contracts, tracking, messages, delivery confirmations
The other party is in England or Wales — or has a UK-registered business address

Quick Checklist Before Filing

Defendant based in England/Wales

Claim value under £10,000

Tried to resolve directly first

Ready to send Letter Before Action

Get Your Free Case Assessment

How CourtPilot Helps You

From documentation to court-ready documents in three steps.

Upload Your Dispute

Order confirmations, tracking data, messages, emails - upload everything and we extract the key facts.

AI Builds Your Case

Automatic Letter Before Action generation, particulars of claim drafting, and deadline tracking.

Court-Ready Documents

CPR-compliant bundles, indexed evidence, and witness statement templates ready for small claims court.

Evidence analysis for marketplace disputes

Letters Before Action for online sales

Court bundle generation with indexing

AI-powered deadline and offer tracking

Real Disputes, Real Outcomes

Examples of how others have recovered money through small claims court and pre-court negotiation.

£847

Amazon FBA "Not Received" Claim

Scenario: Buyer claimed parcel never arrived. Amazon sided with buyer and refunded from your account.

Evidence: Carrier scan showing delivery, signed POD, GPS coordinates.

Outcome: Letter Before Action citing evidence prompted Amazon to reverse the deduction within 14 days.

£1,250

Shopify Chargeback Months After Delivery

Scenario: Customer filed chargeback 4 months after receiving goods, claiming "fraudulent transaction".

Evidence: Delivery confirmation, customer's own order emails, IP address matching billing address.

Outcome: Small claim filed. Defendant failed to respond. Default judgment obtained and enforced.

£4,200

Wholesale Customer Refusing Payment

Scenario: B2B customer claims delivery was "late" (1 day) and refuses to pay full invoice.

Evidence: Contract showing delivery window, courier tracking, signed delivery note.

Outcome: Court found 1-day delay did not constitute breach. Full amount awarded plus interest.

£3,500

Marketing Agency Charged Thousands, Delivered Nothing

Scenario: PPC agency took monthly retainer but produced no reports, no campaigns, no results.

Evidence: Contract, payment records, emails requesting updates (ignored), empty ad accounts.

Outcome: Settled before hearing for £2,800 plus costs after we sent Letter Before Action.

£6,800

3PL Loses Pallet, Offers Token Credit

Scenario: Fulfilment warehouse "lost" entire pallet of stock. Offered £500 credit as goodwill.

Evidence: Inventory manifest, warehouse receipts, stock valuation, terms showing liability.

Outcome: Negotiated settlement of £5,100 after mediation. Recovered 75% without court.

£85

When NOT to Claim: Small Value, Weak Evidence

Scenario: Customer kept £85 product after refund. No delivery tracking, no signed confirmation.

Evidence: Only proof: dispatched notification from courier (no scan).

Advice: Advised NOT to pursue. Court fee (£35) plus time investment not worth it for uncertain outcome.

These examples illustrate typical dispute scenarios. Every case is different and outcomes depend on evidence and circumstances.

Built for UK Small Claims

England & Wales Specific

Guidance tailored to UK small claims court procedures and rules.

CPR-Aligned Documents

Letters and bundles formatted to Civil Procedure Rules standards.

£97 Lifetime Access

One payment, unlimited cases. No monthly fees or hidden costs.

Information Only - Not Legal Advice

CourtPilot provides tools and guidance to help you prepare your own small claims case. We are not a law firm and cannot give legal advice. For complex matters or if you are uncertain about your rights, please consult a qualified solicitor.

Stop Losing Money to Unfair Disputes

Whether it's a chargeback, an unpaid invoice, or a 3PL that lost your stock, CourtPilot gives you the tools to fight back through UK small claims court.

Get Your Free Case Assessment Browse All Guides

No credit card required|£97 lifetime access|All 13 features included