So the for parts or repair 3 day window apparently doesn't apply?
Summary: eventfulshoppinllc discussed a problematic experience with a buyer who opened a return request outside the 3-day window for an item sold as "for parts or repair". Despite refusing the return, the platform granted the buyer permission to return the item. eventfulshoppinllc described a lengthy process with multiple customer service representatives before securing a refund without a return. participatrophy and eoma689485 engaged in the discussion, offering insights on return policies and expressing concern over the situation. christworks noted that buyers can return a damaged item if it was sold with a return policy, and shared personal experience with selling similar items. The overall sentiment was frustration with the platform's inconsistent enforcement of its return policies.
Had a buyer complain about a for parts / repair item sold with no returns delivered on August 1st. He waited until August 5th to open a return. I denied it and he was able to appeal it and I got this message today, past the 3 day return window:
"Thanks for your patience. We know returns can be inconvenient, so please know we appreciate your understanding.
We had a chance to review the buyer鈥檚 return request and decided to ask them to return the item. There鈥檚 nothing you need to do at this time.
For next steps, we鈥檒l track the buyer鈥檚 return to you and then deduct the refund and original shipping amount from your funds once it鈥檚 delivered. If the buyer doesn鈥檛 ship their return by Aug 19, 2026, we鈥檒l close their case, and you won鈥檛 have to pay for a refund.
If there鈥檚 anything wrong with the item once you receive it, we鈥檙e here to help. You can send an appeal or, if you have any questions, you can contact us."
eventfulshoppinllc
OP2 days agoUpdating to leave a final message. I had to sit on a chat for 3 hours, go through 4 reps, type my story out 20 different times (no joke) in order to get my refund.
Do NOT sell your for parts items on here with no returns. Ebay does not have your back and their 3 day window means absolutely NOTHING if they will not get your back. Yes I got the refund without the buyer returning it. Does this mean you can trust them to have your back when you do everything right? Nope. Was sitting on a chat for 3 hours worth $17? No.
This wasn't just a rogue agent. This was a rogue buyer who damaged my item trying to repair it (also made it doubly ineligible for a return since he changed the condition of the item), tried to make me eat it, violated ebay's abusive buyer policy twice in requesting a partial refund and then got an out of policy return approved by an agent. It took going through a total of 4 reps after the first 1 gave him the ability to return outside of the window to get what I needed.
This isn't an isolated incident. They all tried to get me off the chat, pretended they didn't understand what I was saying, consistently lied about reading the previous messages and hoped I would just go away. 4 rogue agents and a rogue buyer. Leaving this up unless it gets taken down so that others can see that ebay once again only stands behind their policies if you are extremely persistent.
participatrophy
路2 days agoGrim. Hope you reported the buyer.
christworks
路2 days ago 路 Edited@eventfulshoppinllc I'm glad you realize your time could have been better spent on other things for a mere $17. If this was to show the man, then I guess you showed them. 馃
You are right. Buyers have 3 calendar days after delivery to open an INAD on a for parts/not working listing that does not accept returns. I am wondering if the human who viewed the appeal thought only business days are counted? If so, the 5th would be fine. Obviously that is not correct.
Did the refund actually show up in your account yet?
Where I would part ways with you is that you indicate that nothwithstanding the for parts/not working condition and no return policy, the buyer, in attempting to repair the item, made the item ineligible for a return due to changing the condition. That's not correct.
Let's assume you had this listed as for parts/not working, but accepted 14 day returns. The buyer could absolutely send it back within that 14-day window, even if they damaged it further trying to repair it. If you offered free returns you would be able to issue a partial refund for it coming back in a different condition.
I'm sorry you experienced this issue, but I list a lot of stuff for parts/not working and have never had an issue like this. Once or twice, within the 3-day window, I've had buyers message trying to get a partial refund and hinting around at a return. I just tell them I do not not give out partial refunds and they move along.
Report the buyer for asking for a partial refund if you haven't already.
an-36344
路Aug 6, 2026 at 5:20 AMSince no funds @eventfulshoppinllc were ever extricated from you
-- how were you due a refund after 3 hours whatsoever?
What you claim is "absolutely inane (and insane)" as you said at 5:14 PM.
eoma689485
路2 days agoWhen you listed the item under condition - did you chose Parts/Repair or did you list it as Used and state within the listing that it was for Parts/Repair.
If it was listed as Used - then you do accept returns if the item arrived non-operational.
No returns is for buyers suffering from Buyer's remorse.
eventfulshoppinllc
OP2 days agoWhat you are failing to understand is that when the listing is selected as FOR PARTS OR REPAIR there is a THREE DAY WINDOW to return for INAD "Limited time frame for coverage under eBay Money Back Guarantee.聽"
From ebay's own words on my FOR PARTS OR REPAIR listing
"Returns
No returns accepted
If the item you receive doesn't match the listing, you can report an issue with the item within 3 days of delivery. Learn more about eBay Money Back Guarantee."
eoma689485
路2 days agoI was typing my response at about the same time you were posting your response below - I didn't see it.
eventfulshoppinllc
OP2 days agoNo big deal. Ebay occasionally does something absolutely inane (and insane) like the time they lost our package after it shipped from their center in Kentucky and tried to bill us for it. I just try to take extra care to play by the rules, but I'm left skeptical about listing parts!
participatrophy
路2 days agoWhat was the buyer's complaint?
eventfulshoppinllc
OP2 days agoHe said a piece was "broken" on the crossover. I advised him to open a return within the window and I would provide a full refund. He did not. He waited until after the window was closed to open the return, it gave me the option to deny it so I denied it. I get home an hour ago and they are letting him return it anyways outside of the 3 day window.
eventfulshoppinllc
OP2 days agoHe also violated the abusive buyer policy by asking for a partial refund.