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refund of shipping charges paid by buyer
I ordered an item for 19.99, and paid 9.99 shipping and 2.25 tax, for a total of 32.23.
The item says it can be returned, but the buyer pays return shipping. Therefore, my refund should be 32.23 minus 9.99 return shipping, or 22.24.
Ebay has calculated my refund as only 11.50. This is because they are not refunding all the tax, and they are not refunding the original shipping cost.
I don't think this is correct, because the advertised item did not say that I would not be refunded the cost of shipping the item TO ME. It only said "buyer pays for return shipping."
7 comments
wooden_flower
Mentor6 months ago@daveconch1056
When an item is returned where the buyer pays the return shipping, the seller is not required to refund the original shipping.
I don’t think eBay does a good job of explaining this. I guess they assume it is understood that if you return an item due to no fault of the seller, the seller should not bear any of the cost.
daveconch1056
OP6 months agoThank you for answering! I've worked it out by chatting with an Ebay rep. I explained that the shoes just did not fit. The size marked on the shoes matched that in the ad, but I think it was the manufacturer's error - they were just not wide enough, even though I ordered the correct size. I told that to the Ebay rep, and she processed a return for me, noting that the item was "not as described," which technically is true, but I can kind of see both sides. Since I have no recourse against the manufacturer, I have to return it to the seller, and should not incur any cost except the return shipping (which I agreed to), and then the seller should take it up with the manufacturer for an improperly-sized item. I think it happens often in the shoe department - you often see notes that certain manufacturer's sizes "run small," etc. Thanks again for helping!
I still think, however, that if the policy only mentions the buyer paying for return shipping, the buyer should never have to pay for the shipping to him or her on the order. The buyer ALWAYS pays for shipping - if it's "free shipping," the seller builds it into the item cost, which will be refunded upon return.
mr_lincoln
Mentor6 months ago@daveconch1056
So, in the end, exactly how much were you refunded? As far as I know eBay kicks in any sales tax levied on the original transaction with a properly processed return for refund.
Additionally, the "Not as described" return reason should have produced a pre-paid return shipping label for you which you are NOT charged for. Sellers can withhold the original shipping you paid and up to 50% of the item price in certain situations.
daveconch1056
OP6 months agoThanks, Mr. Lincoln. Ebay told me I would be refunded, and even processed it for me, sending me a link to a return label. Now, they've changed their mind, but I am appealing that. It's the manufacturer's fault that the shoes are not true-to-size, but the seller must be responsible for that. I'm willing to pay return shipping, as agreed, but I should get a full refund of the purchase cost and shipping to me. Otherwise, this will probably be the last apparel item I purchase on Ebay. Thanks again!
wooden_flower
Mentor6 months ago@daveconch1056
It sounds like the reason selected was does not fit. While you describe it as an error by the manufacturer, in eBay lingo this means you selected the wrong size and is considered a remorse return. This is why the refund shows you paying for the return shipping and not being reimbursed for the original shipping.
disneyshopper
Mentor6 months agoWhat is the seller's return policy, and what was your reason for returning the item?
daveconch1056
OP6 months agoThank you for answering! I've worked it out by chatting with an Ebay rep. I explained that the shoes just did not fit. The size marked on the shoes matched that in the ad, but I think it was the manufacturer's error - they were just not wide enough, even though I ordered the correct size. I told that to the Ebay rep, and she processed a return for me, noting that the item was "not as described," which technically is true, but I can kind of see both sides. Since I have no recourse against the manufacturer, I have to return it to the seller, and should not incur any cost except the return shipping (which I agreed to), and then the seller should take it up with the manufacturer for an improperly-sized item. I think it happens often in the shoe department - you often see notes that certain manufacturer's sizes "run small," etc. Thanks again for helping!
I still think, however, that if the policy only mentions the buyer paying for return shipping, the buyer should never have to pay for the shipping to him or her on the order. The buyer ALWAYS pays for shipping - if it's "free shipping," the seller builds it into the item cost, which will be refunded upon return.