A Return Request From Buyer
Hello Community,
I'm seeking guidance from the selling community. I've been selling on Ebay for 25+ years. I'm a small seller. Rarely do I get return requests and I have a 100% rating. So, I sold a brand new pair of men's boots with the original box. The listing matched the actual product exactly. My policy is to not accept returns as I have limited resources and funding. So, after 3 weeks, I receive a return request from the buyer stating that the leather peeled after being worn and they provided a one photo which appears to be scratch marks while being worn. It does not appear to be an issue of peeling leather. Ebay then holds the funds from any payouts until issue is resolved. I've had issues with shoes I bought for personal use on Ebay and worn. However, I don't go after the seller because they were as described in listing and I wore them. So, I refused the return and sent a message to the buyer that I'm sorry but they have been worn and I don't accept returns on used product. I'm not sure how to get the message through to Ebay. If Ebay sides with the buyer then any buyer could use product, damage it, and then request a return for a defective product. That certainly opens the door for a lot of fraudulent claims.
luckythewinner
·2 years agoSo, I refused the return and sent a message to the buyer that I'm sorry but they have been worn and I don't accept returns on used product
If the buyer file a claim under the eBay Money Back Guarantee stating that the item was Not As Described, then your return policy does not shield you.
If Ebay sides with the buyer then any buyer could use product, damage it, and then request a return
Correct. That has been true since 2008 when eBay first introduced the Money Back Guarantee.
reallynicestamps
·2 years agoNo Returns doesn't mean No Refunds.
It means you never want to see the product again.
You can however demand the return, although usually you will have to pay return shipping.
Send the label.
If they don't return the shoes, don't refund.
The cost of the label will eventually be returned.
If they return the shoes, refund promptly.
Examine the shoes, redescribe, reprice, relist, resell.
Block the buyer.
Consider leaving feedback on shipment to stroke buyer egos. It doesn't hurt.
albertabrightalberta
·2 years ago@mycustomer1
If you don't accept the return, pay for the return shipping label and issue a full refund upon receipt of the shoes, your buyer will get their refund (provided by ebay from your funds) and will get to keep the shoes for free.
For NAD (not as described) return requests, you really don't have an option of refusing to accept it.
Your "no return" policy holds only for remorse requests.
soh.maryl
·2 years agoIt seems like you are not familiar with eBay's Money Back Guarantee for buyers, even after 25 years.
If this is your very first claim of not as described, you are indeed to be congratulated.
Now comes the bad news: On eBay, there is no such thing as "No Returns". If the buyer opens an item not as described case, your options are limited to (1) sending the buyer a prepaid return label and refunding in full upon receipt of the returned item or (2) letting the buyer keep the boots as well as getting refunded from your funds by eBay.
If sellers could actually state "No Returns", wouldn't that mean you, as a buyer, could buy my crappy, junky item on the basis of maybe a false description or photoshopped picture, receive it, discover that it was NAD, but be unable to return for a refund since my listing stated "No Returns"?
ittybitnot
·2 years agoSo, I refused the return and....
@mycustomer1
Was "refusing" the return an actual option that you could choose?
What was the actual reason supplied by the buyer who filed the return request (not what they put in the comments)?
Generally speaking, when a buyer files for a "not as described reason" they will prevail regardless of your photos and text. They don't have to be telling the truth, and any information in your listing will be ignored. Once the claim is filed, the product becomes what the buyer says it is. Nobody is allowed to interfere with the auto bot run process that ensues. That leaves you with limited options.
You can accept the return, and provide the return shipping label (if it is a domestic sale), and refund upon return of a parcel. It will never matter what is in the box.
You can simply refund the buyer and let them keep the product for free.
You can let eBay decide. They will find in favor of the buyer, let them keep the product at your expense, and award your account with a serious defect for a "case without seller resolution".
brightlightbookseller
·2 years agoThat is indeed how it works. You don't get much say in this, if the buyer stated that they were not as described or defective, you generally are better off (for the health of your account) just accepting the return and eating the loss. It may not be right, but it is the best way to keep selling here. Fortunately most buyers are honest, but of course some aren't and you just have to take that into consideration when selling.
ed8108
·2 years agoEbay rules & policies are controlling
ebay isn't moved with voicing having limited resources & funding.