Buyers return request SCAM.

[oo8sunding]

Vast majority of cases when buyers request return, it is a SCAM to get something for free. 

They hope that a seller  to avoid paying for return shipping, will let a buyer keep the item.  

Due to eBay policy of AUTOMATICALLY favor the buyers in a dispute, buyers have nothing to loose by attempting a return request scam. Worst case for a buyer, he gets his money back.  

My advice, always:

1. Make the buyer open a return request, so there is a record. (Scammers often ask for refund via message to avoid being on the record).

2. Do not refund the buyer before the item is returned, even if you have to take a loss, either paying for return shipping or damaged returned item. Chuck it up to, as the cost of doing business. Otherwise, word gets around that you can be scammed, WATCH OUT!

3. Block and report the buyer. It may not help, certainly does not hurt. 

4. Some scammers will send you a message before making a purchase, to be used later as an excuse for return request. BLOCK THEM from making a purchase.

[vintagecraze50]

Always accept returns, provide a free shipping label. Do not give in to partial refund requests. 

[soh.maryl]

You have posted excellent advice here.  Thank you.

But can you cite how you KNOW that the vast majority of return cases are scams? 

[1tuna]

the majority of returns do not involve a scam

many items come back just like they were sent

this is called return  abuse, it not theft and its not really a scam

its more like a fib and you lose your shipping money

deliberate damage  or theft is uncommon with a return

@oo8sunding 

[inhawaii]

I agree with everything you said except for #3.

Report the buyer?

Report them for what?

[farmalljr]

Return abuse. When a buyer returns an item under a false pretense, I always report the buyer AND do not give them their original shipping costs back. I've had ONE buyer who lied to get a "free" return, open a case, and thankfully, eBay closed it in MY favor. 

I have no problems with a return for a legit reason. But in quit a few of my own return cases, they are making up stuff to get out of paying shipping. Though I don't have many returns, I'm tired of paying shipping both ways for false reasons. In my case, it was obscure records that people were "trying them out" and making up grading false returns to get free use of the record.  They apparently didn't like the record, so they returned it on my dime. Kinda like "free" renting clothing, which anyone who sells it, knows about that. 

Personally, I don't think the majority of returns are for legit reasons. I think there are way more remorse reason returns, then legit INAD returns. At least that has been my own experience.  The only returns I have ever had to do, was INAD as a buyer, and that was VERY very few items.  I have a hard time believing from my own selling experince, that most of the returns are legit. Not saying hardly any are legit, I just think the majority are not. 

[ckimodog]

@oo8sunding 

Tagging on with @vintagecraze50 

You should always accept returns and pay for the label.  That way if they don't return it, you're not out both items.  Remember, Ebay has a Money Back Guarantee which will trump your "no return policy"and the buyer doesn't need a reason.  If you don't accept returns, the buyer is not obligated to return the item and will get their money back too.  Don't shoot the messenger...this is the way it's been for some time now.  Avoid scammers by accepting returns...always.  Consider it.  

[oo8sunding]

I think that's what I said

[oo8sunding]

Buyers scam because it works since eBay enables it by automatically favoring the buyers in disputes.

[stainlessenginecovers]

Buyers don't scam; they are covered by 30 day MBG. 

Most buyers do NOT expect sellers to 'not accept returns'; so they find a way to force them on you.

No returns does NOT mean no refunds. They are only for remorse. Selling used items, it is quite easy to state there is a tiny scratch not mentioned and therefore, not as described.

You are best off accepting returns. If someone bought it once, someone will buy it again. 

[kensgiftshop]

---

@oo8sunding wrote:

4. Some scammers will send you a message before making a purchase, to be used later as an excuse for return request. BLOCK THEM from making a purchase

---

If the buyer has to message you about an item, the information they want is not in the listing.

I've blocked more sellers then buyers.

Just because they ask a question, doesn't make them a scammer

[inhawaii]

@inhawaii wrote:

I agree with everything you said except for #3.

Report the buyer?

Report them for what?

---

@farmalljr wrote:

Return abuse. When a buyer returns an item under a false pretense, I always report the buyer AND do not give them their original shipping costs back. I've had ONE buyer who lied to get a "free" return, open a case, and thankfully, eBay closed it in MY favor.

---

That didn't happen in this case.

The OP distrusts ALL returns and thinks a "vast majority" of them are scams.

Again, report the buyer for what?   They MIGHT be scamming you?

[farmalljr]

The OP said the majority, not all. They also gave decent advice in the case of a false INAD. You report the buyer for return abuse/false return reason. 

The vast majority of people don't return things. Even if they buy something that's not exactly how they imagined, they will just keep the item anyway, or toss it, rather then hassle returning something. I find, and the OP must find, the majority of returns are from "those people" are **bleep** type returns. Again, I have had to return VERY few items over the years. Of those, all were flat out falsely described. I have never bought something to "try it out" and if I didn't like it, send it back later. 

But I have experienced several returns that the buyer was just "trying out" the item, making a false claim, and then sending it back on my dime. I may have had one or two returns that were actually on me, not buyer's remorse. Not only is it a return shipping expense issue, it's also a METRICS issue. So yes, I report every buyer who makes a false return claim, and I block them. The OP's post make perfect sense to me, because I already do it. Reporting a buyer is not hard. 

[soh.maryl]

In that case, what would you report the buyer for? Abuse of return system? And then what happens? 

[farmalljr]

Yes, a return for false reason. Then supposedly the buyer gets a demerit on their account.  After enough of them (like biding and not paying), then supposedly eBay won't let you open returns anymore.