Top-rated seller. Buying and selling for well over a decade on eBay. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk:
Buyer orders a cheap top from me, in which I have $6 shipping (to prevent returns for fit), but I offer free returns, because of the discount eBay offers me, both on final value fees and in SEO. Well, she opens a return because the item doesn't fit. Measurements are clear in both the listing and condition section (again, to prevent returns for fit).
Week later, buyer's order is received and refunded immediately, minus initial shipping (since a return for "item doesn't fit", admittedly by her). But, she received a free return shipping label at my expense, so we both took a slight hit, no problem. Shirt is promptly donated. Then, she Karens out and opens a payment dispute with eBay, in which I have to provide evidence of refund. I did. The shipping wasn't refunded (item did not fit). Item was exactly as described. Today, I get an e-mail from eBay saying that not only did they decide the case in her favor, and I get a defect, but they also took a $20 "dispute fee" from my account.....I guess it was for all the hard investigating that was involved in the matter.
What in the actual. I have concierge customer service with my store subscription, so I promptly contacted eBay, trying not to be rage-y. I know it has nothing to do with them (the reps). Nice woman explained that I needed to go to the "managed payments" section on eBay and start a request there...which takes me back to the same exact dang form I initially filled out for assistance. This is not about the money or the lady, although I am angry about the money..... Why do I pay for these services when they do nothing for me? Why am I paying for a payment dispute on my behalf when I a) have concierge customer service that I rarely use b) ebay is supposed to be MANAGING the payments/transactions and c) the customer outright said what was going on!? Finally, how is my value as a seller (and an avid buyer) so low to eBay that I cannot even get a fair outcome when I follow policy to a T. It's downright sheisty, if you ask me, charging a $20 dispute fee regardless... You made me let you manage my payments, and now you didn't manage them well, so I have to tip you!? Whaaa? I have different ventures elsewhere online, and I have never ever had such a negative slew of situations like the ones I have with my ride-or-die, eBay.
Rant over. Sorry for the bad vibes. Moral of the story--just refund the payment dispute if the purchase was small.... because it literally does not matter at all what you do--you will not win. Furthermore, there is no reason not to offer free ship and free return because that's what you're basically forced to do anyway. At the end of the day, it will save you so much time and headache and ranting on the internet to strangers. And just remember the precedent of the platform, so you are never let down.
