eBay’s poor return practices
 
 
Buyer bought lot of video games. The listing had 3 images, one of which clearly displayed only one of the games had a manual. The description from me also reflected there was one CIB game.
Somehow the buyer was able to convince eBay a return was justified by saying that the items BOUGHT and received solely did not match about this item description even though the user clearly reviewed the photos and description. No due diligence required at all. Not to mention, this user had previously done similar things via their reviews. I reached out to eBay (which is a challenge in itself), described the case, they said they would research—-and still took this scammer’s side. I may be done with this platform after they get the funds.
17 comments
bonanza125
·8 months ago"item was returned shipped to the wrong address, got sent back to the buyer and I’m still being charged for the return after they closed the case. Done with the this website after 16 yrs and will refer anyone I know away from it."
Check your address on file. Does it match the address you are currently living or associated with? Did you recently move and forgot to change your shipping address?
tobaccocardyahoo
·8 months agoWhen a buyer files an INAD claim, the seller either accepts the return and refunds in full on receipt or the seller waits for Ebay to intervene, does not get the items back and does not get his fees refunded when Ebay refunds the buyer.
No matter how good your pictures are, they are not a reason to refuse an INAD return. That is true even though many sellers always or frequently fail to note the defects in products in words in their listings.
Sellers who sell higher priced items which Ebay authenticates learn that any defect no included in words in the listing can lead to the cancellation of a shipment of an authentic item which looks exactly as pictured.
There are many items I sell that rely on pictures to show flaws, and others I spend the time to describe the condition in words, as well as providing pictures. I know the people who are going to buy my items and how they behave.
metropandaboy
OP8 months agoUpdate:
item was returned shipped to the wrong address, got sent back to the buyer and I’m still being charged for the return after they closed the case. Done with the this website after 16 yrs and will refer anyone I know away from it.
metropandaboy
OP8 months agoLost my items and 200 dollars on top, to automated **bleep**.
wastingtime101
·8 months agoIf the return label was generated through eBay, then the return label should have had whatever return address you have on file in your Account Settings. eBay doesn't know if your return address is outdated. It's up to you to keep your personal info current.
https://accountsettings.ebay.com/uas/addresses
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Edit to add: Generate a prepaid label from the buyer to your correct address. You can do this on usps or pirateship. Send it to the buyer and ask them to send the lot back. It's worth asking the buyer if they're willing to re-ship based on the value of the lot. @metropandaboy
ccomic
·9 months agoNot saying either side is right or wrong, but I am saying that a buyer trying to return something they got that was not what they were expecting is not a "scam" in my eyes. What does the buyer gain from this? I agree that the seller is more harmed than the buyer, but it doesn't make the buyer a "scammer", at worst, just careless.
I would keep descriptions are short as possible and spend 80% of the description pointing out the flaws, not touting the product. Especially stuff like this. The buyer knows what they are buying. They don't need to be "sold" on it. Set expectations lower and you'll get happier customers.
fern*wood
·9 months agoAlso, since many don't bother carefully reading descriptions, I try to add plenty of photos. You state you had 3 photos, but you are selling six items. We are permitted to include 24 photos. Besides the gallery, I would add individual photos of each one front, back & inside.
It's easier to solve problems before they happen than afterwards.
bonanza125
·9 months agoAccept the return and issue the buyer a full refund. Then just relist the lot and sell it to someone else. As others stated Ebay allows returns. This buyer clearly didn't read your listing description but perhaps Ebay's condition. You are technically not at fault as far as your description but the buyer has rights. In this case you have to eat the shipping cost and move on. I deal in video games and have had buyers thinking manual was included by say with box (no manual). It happens.
jerseyboymusic
·9 months ago@metropandaboy
If you "don't accept returns" as shown in your listing, the Ebay MBG overrides that when the buyer selects a 'not a described" return. I'm sorry you learned about that in this way.
Also, as noted by others, you need to present the items you sell on the listing as if the buyer were there holding it and inspecting it.
All Ebay will do "when you reach out to them" is enforce the terms of agreement, no matter what they may say to get you off the phone.
lacemaker3
·9 months agoAccording to the screenshot you shared of the condition for that listing, Very Good means:
"... The video game instructions and box are included. ..." (emphasis added)
For a lot of multiple items, obviously that would include all the items. If any items were missing the instructions, then the condition could not have been better than Good.
kensgiftshop
·9 months agoLooks like three of them had a manual.
Your description doesn't really say much about the items.
gurlcat
·9 months agoWhat do you mean by this?
inhawaii
·9 months agoALL SELLERS should learn/know that any buyer can do a "not as described" return any time simply by saying the item is not as described, it doesn't matter if they are right or wrong.
ryry-jj
·9 months agoThe buyer didn't convince anyone, they just filed am INAD case and made the return. You can appeal, but most likely nothing will come of it. Its all part of selling. Get the lot back, add more description and relist. Tell buyers not only what is included, but with used items tell them what is not included different from new.
We have all had returns, if a customer doesnt want it, send it back so I can resell to someone who does. A pie fight on a return is never worth it...just get it back
shado-x
·9 months agoFrustrating. Just force the buyer to return the games next time, that way you control the leverage.
luckythewinner
·9 months agoThe listing had 3 images, one of which clearly displayed only one of the games had a manual
The condition description you chose says the cover and liner notes are included. It would have taken you all of ten seconds to write a meaningful description that said "none of the games include the manual except for Starfox". There is an old saying that is still true, at least in my eyes: "take pictures as if there is no description, and write a description as if there are no pictures".
eBay’s poor return practices
Seller's poor description. Game, set, and match to the buyer IMHO.
kibble-net
·9 months agoYes, some people are pretty darn stupid.
Last year I sold an incomplete Cards Against Humanity game. I clearly stated that none of the "black" cards were included and priced it very cheaply. The buyer received the item and demanded a refund, because the game was..... INCOMPLETE.
But on the flipside, I had about 900+ transactions where that didn't happen. So, you take the good with the bad.
Best of luck in whatever platform you choose to sell on!