Accept Return or Not?

[needalittlehelpsometimes]

I received a return request for a skincare item. I have a no return policy but we all know that doesn't mean anything on ebay.

The reason I am here is because on the return request, ebay states that I am not obligated to accept the return and if I decline it, the request will automatically close.

Her return reason was that she 'just didn't like it'.  She obviously opened and tried it so it is useless to me now. She got an $80 item for $27 and free shipping. I am torn over what to do. 

I don't want a negative on my account but I don't want to accept a remorse return either and I am tired of having to eat shipping charges (I paid to ship it).

I know it isn't much money but it's the point. She knew my return policy before she bought it.

On the bright side, the buyer would have to pay return shipping because she told the truth, which is a pleasant surprise.

This is the first time I have had a buyer admit to remorse.  Should I reward her for that?

What would you guys do if you were me? Accept it to keep the customer happy or decline it on principal? 

Thanks for any input.

[monster-deals]

If you don't accept the return you are likely to get a chargeback which is a full refund without getting your item back and a $20 kick in the teeth for your troubles.

If you can't re-sell it for $40 if it comes back it may be worth the gamble to deny it.

[stainlessenginecovers]

It's a Vegas Thing; Red or Black. 

There's no surefire answer- but I would NOT accept (since I can) and the feedback means nothing so I wouldn't care (at least there was a reason for it-I've got some for no good reason and still have to eat it)

Charge Back? Possible, but again, for $27, I'd take my chances on 'No'. 

[donsdetour]

I would put them on the blocked bidders list, and refund em and let em keep the stuff: used cosmetics is not worth the return...

Its a mater of what I am willing to lose, over stopping such scams by return for refund. It is a cost thing over the ethics they just might be scamming for free stuff.

[jahood1984]

I would decline it to avoid being caught up with a buyer who routinely gets free items in this manner.  

[albertabrightalberta]

ALthough I don't have a return policy, when a buyer is honest in their reason for wanting to return (i.e., admitting remorse), I do accept the return. Buyer pays return shipping and because my listings charge separately for shipping, the refund is for the item price only. I'm only out the time waiting for the return and reselling it. 

But in the case of a skincare item, there are hygiene issues and in this case, I would decline the return. You wouldn't be able to resell it because of the "yuck" factor and would be stuck. 

[needalittlehelpsometimes]

I think you are correct in this being a scam. I offered her a $12 refund if she would keep it and now she wants half of her money back. If she didn't like the stuff, why is she wanting to keep it at any price? She's a scammer trying to get something for free. If she declines my offer, which I was firm on, I will decline the return and she will get nothing.   

Can I report her for abusing the system like this?

Seriously, why would she even consider keeping it for half price if it weren't a scam?

[divwido]

I'm sorry, I cannot accept the return now that you have used it.  See what the reaction is. 

[needalittlehelpsometimes]

She said she didn't use it, only opened it. Yeah right. How did she know she didn't like it then?  I told her opened is opened. lol

[simba6]

It's not do I accept a return on not.  It do want to get the item back and refund or refund and let them keep it for free.

[mtgraves7984]

Seriously, why would she even consider keeping it for half price if it weren't a scam?

@needalittlehelpsometimes 

I empathize. Okay... moving forward. You're already TRS. If you offered 30-Day Returns, then all you'd be refunding is half the item amount, since the product is OPEN... in a de-valued condition from when you sent it. Plus, you'd receive a refund of your FVFs.

Why not pitch a half-refund to your buyer, less your FVFs ? Maybe your buyer would consider keeping it for that amount.

I'm with @albertabrightalberta and @simba6... you don't want it back. Maybe you could mitigate your damages a bit. 🤔

[needalittlehelpsometimes]

I offered her a $12 partial refund and she came back and said she wanted half. I told her NO and she should be happy that she got a $75 item for $15. I also told her that she would not get a full refund if she sent it back and she would have to pay over $4 to ship it, IF I chose to accept her return request which I didn't have to do. Once I explained it all to her she happily accepted my offer of $12.  I have blocked her because I have a feeling she has done this before and will do it again.