Seller protection? Return postage

[lovesunnydays7]

I had s buyer claim a listing was not accurate and contacted ebay for a refund,

they immediately sent him a return label without giving me a chance to show proof the listing was correct. I  refunded the sales price but had to pay $6.92 for an item that is  flat and 1 oz,

I mailed in a letter envelope, I sold for 13.00.

I reported him to ebay and cannot get the postage refunded to me.

this is very wrong.

[stainlessenginecovers]

When a buyer opens a 'not as described' return/refund and you do 30 day returns, as you do- the following happens

1.) return is automatically approved (because you do 30 day returns)

2.) a shipping label (for that reason of 'not as described') is issued to the buyer, seller pays for it and the seller is NEVER ALLOWED TO argue, or show proof of or etc.

3.) The 'amount' of the return is detemined by the information in the listing (size/weight) and will ship with tracking, so that amount is NOT something that

a.) you can 'argue about'

b.) is determined BY this site and you have NO input

c.) Nobody is EVER going to 'refund' you that amount because...

This is a 'not as described' return forcing a return label out of you. 

Just the price of doing business and there is nothing you can do. 

[d.amber]

There is an option, though I'm not sure how to do it exactly, to allow for the buyer to keep the item and you refund for the value of the item.  It's under general return instructions. Look for the link under "Help & Contact" at the bottom of the page, see "Ebay returns".  In some cases, the return shipping is worst then just refunding the cost of the item, especially for low value items.  You still can't fight it, but it might save you postage on low value items.  You can set the maximum value for the item you will allow auto refund with no return.

[12345jamesstamps]

"show proof the listing was correct"....means nothing usually. Best to do the refund before eBay gets involved.

Mission statement for me...work with the buyer where eBay does not have to get involved...just my own opinion. 

[lovesunnydays7]

I had no choice ebay sent the return label to the buyer before notifying me. I didn't mind the refund but to have to pay the return postage when the item was listed correctly. Customers photo showed a muscular build 6" figure when my listing said for a slender 6" body. I should not be charged for the return of a product that was described correctly.

[lovesunnydays7]

I was not given tracking. Live and learn, such is life!

[stainlessenginecovers]

---

@lovesunnydays7 wrote:

I was not given tracking. Live and learn, such is life!

---

Yes; you were.

You just don't know where to look. 

Click on the Refund Case and it will show you that 

a.) buyer has 'shipped the item'

b.) the tracking number so you can see when it will arrive

Has worked this way for me for 13 Years..... 

[suzysemporium]

Do you have automatic returns on?

To check go to:

My ebay (top left corner) - drop down summary

Below My Ebay is activity messages account - click on account

Under Selling go click on selling preferences

All listings and orders - find return preferences - click edit on the far left

Check all the settings on that page.

There are two settings:

Send a refund

When a buyer requests a refund, let them keep the item and automatically send a refund if:

and

Approve a return  - Off

Automatically approve a return from a buyer if:

I have heard some people say approve a return is on even when they didn't set it.

Also way at the bottom give me the option to add an RMA number (return authorization number).