Locked
Discussions in this board are limited to the original poster and Community Mentors
Help with a return/refund
So I sold a watch, that I thought was in perfect condition, and everything went smooth. Great communication on both parties. The buyer thinks, and he could possibly be right, that there's an issue with a rattle. (Its a Seiko automatic) so there's no battery and I assumed the "rattle" was normal function.
All of that is FINE, I have no problem accepting a return. The problem is the buyer says, and I believe them, that they shipped the watch back to me on their own, not using a return label from eBay.
Ebay says I HAVE to send a return label, but if the watch has already been returned why would I do that? And what are the steps to take now?
ALSO the buyer paid 175 and I obviously only made 117 due to all of the fees eBay charges to the buyer and seller. Am I on the hook for the extra 58 dollars? Do I lose 58 dollars because the buyer had an issue? I understand that if I sold something not up to standard I would be out, but I believe the watch is fine and in great condition. Thanks for any help. I wish I could call someone at eBay as the chat help is not helping in this issue.
mr_lincoln
Mentor8 months agoHi @bennydiesel81
Advise the Buyer you will honor a return request processed officially through eBay and you will provide the shipping label through eBay. This gives you protection that the item will be shipped back to you.
If the Buyer uses their own label there is NO place on the return claim for them to upload tracking BUT they are still protected and will be able to get a full refund if tracking they use shows delivered, eBay will honor that if they message you the tracking number. In this scenario they could scam you out of the item and get it for free.
When you refund them through an official claim you are basically giving them their money back AND you will get the fees you paid eBay credited back to your account via the refund transaction. BUT, depending on what you get back, if it is NOT in the same condition it was originally shipped in some of the Seller protections on this page may apply: Seller protections | eBay
bennydiesel81
OP8 months agoThank you for the reply, but he has already shipped the item back. On his own.
Should I still send a return label to cover myself?
mr_lincoln
Mentor8 months agoHi @bennydiesel81
No, do not send the label through eBay, if you did you would not be charged if it is not used.
Has he sent you the tracking number? You can use the Report Buyer link on the transaction if the item does not show up BUT tracking shows it was delivered somewhere.
Have you checked his Feedback history, does he have a high Feedback count. If he is strictly a Buyer his FB will be 100% but that will not stop some Sellers from making less than positive comments about issues with the Buyer.
bennydiesel81
OP8 months agoNo he has not, I guess I should ask for one. And good tip looking on the Facebook. He did send a weird picture of a watch band that was definitely not the watch I sold. But if this was shady I wouldn’t think this much effort over 175 dollars but you never know. Thanks for the replies. You’ve been much more helpful!
mr_lincoln
Mentor8 months ago@bennydiesel81
Yes, ask for the tracking number on his shipment ... and yes, $ 175 would be worth it to him to scam you out of. I sincerely hope he is honest but if he has a high Feedback count with a lot of purchases I would be more concerned, meaning he should know how things work.
You are more than welcome for the support.
bennydiesel81
OP8 months agoMr Lincoln,
Can you help me with this issue one more time please!ðŸ™
The buyer sent me a bogus tracking number to a package that was delivered to a different state. I’m feeling pretty confident this is a scam. I accepted the return but have not refunded. Tomorrow is my deadline to send a shipping label. Is there any way I can dispute this, or just CONTACT an actual person?
I realize eBay is a huge company but it’s infuriating that I can’t contact and actual person for this issue. Thank you for your help along the way. I was naive to think that I wasn’t being scammed, I knew my watch was mint condition.
mr_lincoln
Mentor8 months ago@bennydiesel81
As mentioned, if you send a label through the eBay claim and the Buyer does not use it then you will not be charged.
The Buyer, using their own tracking number from their own label is a form of the False tracking number scam. If that tracking shows it was delivered then you have to refund during the claim period or the Buyer will ask eBay to step in and force the FULL refund.
Use the Report Buyer link on that transaction, I forget all of the choices they give you to use but there might be one like abusing the return policy.
Since they are scamming you, some Seller protections may apply: Seller protections | eBay
It might be a good time AFTER you use the Report Buyer link to try and get in touch with eBay. If you use the first link below and can get to a Chat window type int he word Agent, that might open the link to Request a call back. If you get a rep on the phone make sure you tell them the tracking number on the return from the Buyer, while showing delivered, was NOT delivered to your address.
eBay Customer Service
-Contacting eBay via Social Media:
Contact customer service by sending a PRIVATE message on social media. Customer service verifies your identity before responding.
6 AM to 6 PM PST
https://x.com/askebay
https://www.facebook.com/ebay
https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/
bennydiesel81
OP8 months ago@mr_lincoln
Hey, just to let anyone know that comes across this post I was able to contact an actual agent thru Facebook/Messenger and everything seems to be working out! Thanks for your time mr_lincoln, I will try to help the next guy out as much as you’ve helped me!