Can buyers with suspended MBG privileges still do remorse returns?
Summary: The discussion revolves around whether buyers whose Money Back Guarantee (MBG) privileges are suspended can still perform remorse returns. Although no specific content details are available, it appears to involve several back-and-forth exchanges among participants, including gurlcat, eoma689485, and others. Despite the lack of explicit content, it indicates a complex inquiry that might involve different viewpoints or experiences shared among the participants.
I realize nobody knows exactly what it takes for a buyer to lose their Money Back Guarantee privileges, because if that was public knowledge, then scammny buyers would only use/abuse it "up to, but not over" the limit, and maybe open more accounts to abuse those 'up to' the same amount.
But if I understand right, the MBG is separate from remorse returns, in that the MBG is eBay's mandate that a buyer can get a refund for dissatisfying purchases ON DEMAND, where as remorse returns are 'gentlemen's agreements' between buyers and sellers who allow them.
So even if a buyer has abused their mandate away, can they still take advantage of sellers' good graces, or are all their purchases FINAL? If the listing allowed returns, would they see a return 'reason' menu with only remorse choices available, or no return menu at all?
annadryl
·4 months agoI still don't know, but this was a really good question.
gurlcat
OP4 months ago@annadryl Thank you. Who knows how common or rare it is for a buyer to even lose their MBG without losing their whole account (probably kinda rare, I'd guess). But if they can still do remorse returns, they can still return bogus items, with only the difference in shipping costs.
bennotbill
·4 months agoMy own (possible) experience of this was just once in a couple of decades. I had a silly INAD claim along with a neg, so I phoned up ebay (shows how long ago that was) to ask if they could remove the neg.
I hardly got a word in. The conversation went something like - does this concern item xxxx, yes, the return has been cancelled and the feedback will be removed, thank you.
After the shock wore off I did think they must be a "naughty" buyer for ebay to do that.
gurlcat
OP4 months ago@bennotbill But for all you knew, that buyer didn't just lose their MBG but was being 'NARU'd' (Not A Registered User). I had that happen once, but the only reason I found out was because after the failed INAD attempt, the buyer tried to do a card chargeback, and that's when an agent told me the buyer's account was closed and I had nothing to worry about.
But yeah, there are some number of buyers in the mix who are still able to buy but have restricted MBG privileges, and we'd never know them if they just buy from us with no trouble. Kind of like how you don't know if the guy in line behind you is on parole or the sex offender registry.
I also wonder if buyers who lost their MBG can ever regain it, like how sellers with Below Standard status can eventually get out. But I doubt anybody knows.
bennotbill
·4 months agoYes that's possible. Though I did see that they were still around a few days later but they could have been on their way out.
As you say much is just educated guesswork with a bit of speculation thrown in for good measure.
gurlcat
OP4 months ago@bennotbill I tell you what, this past week or so has made me realize how much of eBay policy is 'dark,' like not spelled out in the official pages, and seemingly very open to interpretation by whatever random agent fields a 'ticket' (return, report, or whatever). Not just the situations I've run into myself recently, but ones I've seen here in the forums.
My confidence is definitely shaken now, because it was based on what I thought were solid facts, but it turns out some are just illusions.
yo0339
·4 months agoBut sometimes, you get a clue.
gurlcat
OP4 months ago@yo0339 OMG you've just given me an epiphany to make my first million. You know how sagging pants originated from prison 'culture' (because belts aren't allowed in prison and the uniforms are often oversized and with worn-out elastic)? Well I could see ankle monitors as a fashion trend. Like not real ones obviously, but the same 'look' with upgrades like led light effects, bluetooth speaker, the sky's the limit! Er, the ground's the limit I guess. 😆
marnotom!
·4 months agoMy understanding is that remorse returns are a separate ball of wax from the MBG.
On listings, the note that a seller does not accept returns is often accompanied by an eBay message that the listing is covered by the MBG.
eoma689485
·4 months agoExamples of behavior that can trigger restrictions include:
Repeated “item not as described” claims that appear questionable or excessive.
Frequently claiming items never arrived despite delivery confirmation.
Returning different items, damaged items, or incomplete items.
Excessive return activity compared to normal buyers.
Patterns suggesting “wardrobing” (using items then returning them).
Filing chargebacks after already receiving refunds.
Threatening sellers to obtain partial refunds.
Abusing feedback or return systems.
When eBay flags an account for abuse, they may:
Deny specific Money Back Guarantee claims,
Restrict the buyer from opening future claims,
Remove MBG protection entirely,
Limit buying activity,
Or suspend the account altogether.
So, there is really no way to know as eBay isn't going to tell you, but if they can't open a complaint, they'll know.
gurlcat
OP4 months ago@eoma689485 Wonderful, thank you! Can you provide the link to that?
eoma689485
·4 months ago@gurlcat
From eBay's Abusive Buyer Policy: “Engaging in activity as described in this policy may result in a range of actions, including the loss of eBay Money Back Guarantee coverage…” Link
And from the official MBG policy under “Loss of coverage”: “Buyers will not be covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee if they make fraudulent claims or engage in activity as described in the Abusive buyer policy..." Here
Hope I did this right
gurlcat
OP4 months ago@eoma689485 I really appreciate it. I don't see my exact question answered, but it kinda gives the impression that everything could depend on the agent making the decision to cut off a buyer's MBG..
eoma689485
·4 months ago@gurlcat
The problem is eBay won't say how "big" the penalty is, and for what specific items, so if the buyer is “wardrobing” (using items then returning them). - they more than likely will lose their MBG on clothing, instead of everyday widgets.
Like all things with eBay - It's complicated, a puzzle wrapped in an enigma.
redmodelt
·4 months agoYep another one of the random unknown matrixes that even eBay doesn't even know it's kind of like potluck you never know what you're going to get or how many it will take , a lot of it probably depends on the previous history of the particular person the restrictions are put on.
gurlcat
OP4 months ago@redmodelt My dude, if you had any idea how many eBay potluck scenarios I am facing with just ONE buyer right now, and every agent that gets involved is either carrying a pot of my grandma's secret recipe baked beans, or a giant pickle jar of wet hog farts from the barn.
It's a very scary situation and humbling too, because I thought I understood my seller protections like the back of my hand, but either I don't know diddly or not all agents know.
adamcartwright
·4 months ago@gurlcat
What's this buyer trying to pull?
kensgiftshop
·4 months agoI don't know, but I think it would be for any returns?
luckythewinner
·4 months ago... then scammny buyers would only use/abuse it "up to, but not over" the limit
Or just create a new account. 🙄