Return Request Refund Amount

[95cumm1ns]

i had a listing for pond pumps in which i had a quanity of five left, the price was $15 or best offer with shipping at a flate rate price of $13.65, the buyer made an offer for $12 and wanted to purchase 5. i accepted and just changed the shipping to a large flatebox at the price of $18.90 and $2 handling fee for each pump , so shipping was $28.90 .  Invoice total for $88.90. The day the package arrived the buyer contacted me and wanted to make a return, i said yes, i would issue a full refund and to send  all the pumps back.  the next day the buyer initates a return request and in the request they had a message noted that they swapped parts from two pumps because one had a burnt motor and another was cracked and were returning the non working one back and requested a refund of $17.78.  I really didnt want the pump that was basicaly now spare parts back so i made a partial offer for one pump  and they didnt need to return anything. they declined the offer . i havent messaged back because i dont know what else to offer and they have taken the items apart and i have tried to avoid any emtional comments and kept my response short to avoid any further frusteration on either side , and now theres a hold on the complete payment , the messages are getting longer and more demanding ... some advice? 

[kathiec · Accepted solution]

Ebay requires that the item be returned in the same condition as received to be eligible for a return/refund. So you aren't required to refund the buyer at all. I would stop communicating with them. You should be able to go back to the return case and communicate with eBay. You just need to refuse the return based on the fact that the pumps have been altered by the buyer.