Issuing refunds as a seller

[boostedgames]

As a seller when I issue a refund for something that I’ve already shipped out how do I get reimbursed? I shipped an item out 3-4 weeks ago (standard bubble mailer) I never received tracking updates on the item even though the label that was purchased was to include tracking. The buyer reached out to me regarding when this item would arrive and I told them as much I knew at that the time which was I had no updates on the status of the item nor location which was odd to me. I ended up refunding the buyer but my concern is what can I as the seller do when I refund a buyer for an item that was already shipped out? I would hope this won’t happen in the future, I feel as the seller I do my part by prepping and shipping things out and once it’s dropped off I have no control what happens to it or how long it takes to reach it’s destination. I use eBay as a way to make extra money and simply dislike the fact that on any given item this could happen, I’m out the item that was shipped and I’m also out the money that needs to be refunded to the buyer. So when something gets lost in transit how can the seller proceed after refunding a buyer? Could use some assistance on this particular subject.

Thanks!

[conservitvs]

@boostedgames 

If you voluntarily refunded, there is no eBay process to refund you. 

If the buyer eventually receives the item, you may contact them to arrange for repayment. 

If the USPS officially deems the item “lost in transit,” the standard insurance reimbursement may be applied for directly through them. 

[boostedgames]

@conservitvs 

Okay thank you so much, how would I go about repayment if say this item was delivered after the refund was already completed?

[conservitvs]

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@boostedgames wrote:

@conservitvs 

Okay thank you so much, how would I go about repayment if say this item was delivered after the refund was already completed?

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@boostedgames 

You may be able to use PayPal, Venmo, etc., but there is no way to do it through eBay.