Are we supposed to pay return shipping for a buyer's error?

An individual bought a bike seat from me, and didn't check the measurements in the listing before buying it. They get the item, finds out it didn't fit their bike, started a return (reason: Doesn't Fit), and when it arrived, I issued the refund minus the return shipping.

Buyer is now upset. I looked at saw that this is considered a remorse return. It certainly wasn't an error on my part or INAD. And he is going on about "professionalism" and starting a dispute, and I'm just already tired of this by just following what eBay says.

I'm certain we aren't supposed to pay for the privilege of a buyer making an error. We cant afford that! It's already bad enough that buyers get mad for ordering broken stuff for parts, and then changing their mind!

So what is the official thing here? What is eBay going to actually stand behind?

thanks for any help!

participantribbonchampions

2766 View listings

Posted 2 years ago·Last reply 2 years ago

9 comments

pjcdn2005

·2 years ago

3879 View listings

@participantribbonchampions

Did you deduct original shipping and the return shipping? If so, I can understand why the buyer is upset. Free returns means that you pay for all returns, regardless of the reason. But you are allowed to hold back the original shipping cost unless the original shipping was free.

participantribbonchampions

OP2 years ago

2766 View listings

Just the return shipping.

kensgiftshop

·2 years ago

389 View listings

For some reason, when you offer free returns, the buyer doesn't think they should be out anything.

On a remorse return, you can deduct the original shipping the buyer paid.

nobody*s_perfect

·2 years ago

145 View listings

@participantribbonchampions wrote: ... I'm certain we aren't supposed to pay for the privilege of a buyer making an error. We cant afford that! It's already bad enough that buyers get mad for ordering broken stuff for parts, and then changing their mind!

So what is the official thing here? What is eBay going to actually stand behind?
thanks for any help!

But the Return policy in the listing for the Yosuda seat which you sold on April 20 says that the seller pays for return shipping. That policy means that the seller pays for the return shipping regardless of the reason, including buyer remorse or error, which is why your buyer expected to get a full refund.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266648629569

stainlessenginecovers

·2 years ago

5572 View listings

@nobody*s_perfect wrote:
@participantribbonchampions wrote: ... I'm certain we aren't supposed to pay for the privilege of a buyer making an error. We cant afford that! It's already bad enough that buyers get mad for ordering broken stuff for parts, and then changing their mind!

So what is the official thing here? What is eBay going to actually stand behind?
thanks for any help!
But the Return policy in the listing for the Yosuda seat which you sold on April 20 says that the seller pays for return shipping. That policy means that the seller pays for the return shipping regardless of the reason, including buyer remorse or error, which is why your buyer expected to get a full refund.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266648629569

@nobody*s_perfect Curious (as I don't do 'seller pays')...What about the 'original' shipping a buyer paid, when a seller offers 'seller pays' for returns? Is the seller to 'refund 100% including original shipping AND the 'return ride back home'?

nobody*s_perfect

·2 years ago

145 View listings

@stainlessenginecovers wrote: ... Curious (as I don't do 'seller pays')...What about the 'original' shipping a buyer paid, when a seller offers 'seller pays' for returns? Is the seller to 'refund 100% including original shipping AND the 'return ride back home'?

Yes.

pjcdn2005

·2 years ago

3879 View listings

@nobody*s_perfect wrote:
@stainlessenginecovers wrote: ... Curious (as I don't do 'seller pays')...What about the 'original' shipping a buyer paid, when a seller offers 'seller pays' for returns? Is the seller to 'refund 100% including original shipping AND the 'return ride back home'?
Yes.

Sorry but that's incorrect. A seller who offers free returns does not have to refund original shipping for remorse returns if the buyer paid for original shipping. If that was the case, seller's would not have the option on the refund screen of withholding the original shipping.

wastingtime101

·2 years ago

0 View listings

@pjcdn2005 wrote:
@nobody*s_perfect wrote:
@stainlessenginecovers wrote: ... Curious (as I don't do 'seller pays')...What about the 'original' shipping a buyer paid, when a seller offers 'seller pays' for returns? Is the seller to 'refund 100% including original shipping AND the 'return ride back home'?
Yes.
Sorry but that's incorrect. A seller who offers free returns does not have to refund original shipping for remorse returns if the buyer paid for original shipping. If that was the case, seller's would not have the option on the refund screen of withholding the original shipping.

Yep. It only applies if the seller has free returns and free shipping.

When initial listing, like the original poster's, has a separate shipping cost, that ship cost does not have to be refunded on a remorse return.

If the seller withheld return shipping, that was not in line with their free returns policy.

kalyoth

·2 years ago

1128 View listings

What may happen is ebay courtesy refunding that shipping amount to him. You are right, that it IS a courtesy / remorse return. But ebay falls all over itself to make a buyer happy because, without their money, they can't make money off sellers money...