How long does a buyer have to accept or decline a return/refund offer from the seller

Question

Someone bought a brand new item, then has it for 4 days and claims its not working because they cant figure out how to keep a piece on..... so I said "keep the item and maybe you will figure it out using the instructions provided in the box and ill give a partial refund. " ITS BEEN A WEEK. no response, funds are on hold. If i have ebay step in they will take all the money on hold for helping

comics-scifi-collectibles · Answer

@cmr7379 APPROVE the return before eBay steps in and forces a refund. The buyer may or may not return the item.

Here's how return cases work>

A no return policy doesn't mean no refunds. Keep in mind that your return policy is only for buyers remorse returns.... changed mind doesn't fit, etc.   The eBay Money Back Guarantee overrules your returns policy.

If the buyer files a refund request saying that the item is not as described then you need to accept the return and issue the return shipping label.

  If you do not accept the return willingly then the buyer can ask eBay to step in and forces a refund. You do not get your seller's fees back, you get a defect and the buyer may be allowed to keep the item.

If the buyer abuses the eBay MBG in some way then you can report them but it doesn't get your money back:
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/resolving-buyer-issues/report-issue-buyer?id=4084&st=

Sellers have protection for return abuse if they offer FREE RETURN shipping on their listings OR if they are a Top Rated seller and offer 30 days or greater returns. The seller can then reduce the refund amount by up to 50% if the buyer sends a different item or somehow reduces the value of the item.

Seller protection:
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/seller-protections?id=4345&st=1