Buyer did a chargeback on item I sold after failing to return the item during ebay's return window

Question

I sold something to a buyer and after about a week, the buyer claimed the item was defective. I told the buyer to return the item but the buyer disappeared and never replied my messages. Over a month later, ebay closes the return request and then the buyer does a chargeback with there bank account.

8 weeks later being today, the buyer is deemed the winner of the appeal and now I am at a loss. Is this fair? The item I sold did not qualify for ebay protection program but I gave the buyer a chance to return the item and then ebay closed the return window.

ladydfunkyg · Answer

I've seen a similar situation happen in my local eBay Seller Circle. The buyer did not miss the eBay return window. They skipped returns entirely and went straight to their credit card with and "item not as described" dispute.

From eBay's policy standpoint this is treated as a payment dispute (chargeback) opened with the buyer's payment institution and that institution makes the final decision. Sellers generally have I think 5 days to accept or challenge and submit evidence. Also, sellers can be charged a dispute fee (20$) if found responsible, and eBay waives or refunds it if the dispute qualifies for seller protections.

I guess the question for eBay is "What additional protections or best practices are recommended for INAD chargebacks where the buyer bypasses the eBay return flow, especially when sellers have proof of what was shipped and how it was described?