Another fraudulent return of a "For parts or not working" item listed in a "No-returns" auction

[tdsbill]

I guess I'll just add to the thousands of "fraudulent return" posts on this forum. Maybe the squeaky wheel will someday get the grease. Sold a baseboard heater thermostat which had the knob shaft broken off. It worked, but needed adjusting with pliers. All this explained in the auction. A good item for somebody who doesn't want people messing with the thermostat, like in a public bathroom. Great pictures in the auction, and even included the documentation with the part which included electrical hookup instructions, etc. Guy buys this and cannot wire it properly to his device (which incidentally wasn't the model heater that the thermostat was made for). He may have ordered the wrong one, or just couldn't figure out how to wire it in. I try to help him with wiring, but he isn't qualified to do any such thing - probably should have called an electrician in the first place. Guy pulls a return based upon "wrong item sent".  Ebay OK's the return. WHAT? Not only was the item listed as not working in a no-returns auction, but it even worked! As so many have complained before, this should have been an open and shut buyer's remorse case, but eBay favored the buyer. Now I pay shipping both ways and forfeit collecting a return fee. Why does eBay even allow sellers to write no-return auctions when buyers know so very well how to manipulate the system...?

[lakefor94]

"Now I pay shipping both ways and forfeit collecting a return fee. Why does eBay even allow sellers to write no-return auctions when buyers know so very well how to manipulate the system...?"

Welcome to the eBay MBG for buyers.  Been this way since about 2008. 

No Returns does not mean No Refunds.

[kensgiftshop]

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@tdsbill wrote:

Why does eBay even allow sellers to write no-return

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I'm surprised they haven't got rid of no returns yet.

[powell-memorabilia]

Problem is that the "for parts" is in small print.  You might get a return either way, but better to scream "for parts only" in the description.  But, this was described as being a functional item... I can definitely see how this can be a simple mix up, with no bad intentions from either buyer or seller.  

[tdsbill]

The issue was not the item condition. The guy was returning it fraudulently as though I sent the wrong part. He just ordered the wrong one. This was a case of buyer's remorse, not a "not as described" or "sent wrong item" case at all.

[tdsbill]

I don't care if eBay wants to refund his money, just don't make ME refund his money, lol. I'm complaining because 1) people know very well how to game the return system, and 2) eBay lets it happen.

I'm still working on this, and they tell me that I will have the opportunity to issue a partial refund. We'll see...

[lamber9347]

<you wrote> I'm still working on this, and they tell me that I will have the opportunity to issue a partial refund. We'll see...

Policy-- Buyers may be liable for loss in value of the item if it's returned in a different condition from which it was received, or if the item is not packaged securely to prevent damage in shipment. In the event that an item is returned used or damaged, some sellers might provide a partial refund to account for the loss in the item's value. Plus, the seller must offer 30 day or longer returns. 

You said your listing was for parts only and you don't accept returns, clearly not eligible for withholding any portion of the refund. 

[tdsbill]

<you wrote> "You said your listing was for parts only and you don't accept returns, clearly not eligible for withholding any portion of the refund."

I can't wrap my head around your reasoning on this. Did you mean (correctly), "clearly not eligible for refund"?

Again, the issue is not whether the part worked or not (which it did), but the fraudulent reason for return.

[tdsbill · Accepted solution]

Well, in the end, CS never seemed to want to understand the root problem. I made several phone calls throughout the process to insure I was playing by the rules. They contradicted everything they told me on the phone with their actions, over and over. I'm a little sore that they are so dense (or evil?), but finally they refunded me for the shipping charges under "seller protection". Definitely not worth the time and effort (as designed, I'm sure), but I wanted to go through the process to understand it better and know what I would be up against in the future. This boils down to them discouraging sellers from listing items as "no returns", and turning a blind eye when honest sellers are obviously getting shafted. This has become more and more frequent, and their policies seem to be cultivating a very bold, dishonest group of buyers. Let the seller beware!!!