Buyers using returns as a tool to try to get a discount and leave negative feedback

[wheelcitymn]

  I have notice over the last several months that buyers are opening a return in hopes to get a discount for them to keep the product but when their extortion doesn't work and they do not return the product they leave negative feedback which can not be removed until after the return is closed which in many cases is 30 days.  Why does eBay allows buyers to leave feedback before product is even shipped or in most cases never shipped back?  I call eBay every time to get feedback to get removed when the buyer has clearly violated eBay policies they will not or can not remove the feedback is bewildering to me, why should a seller loose sales during the wait time for the return to time out?  Has anyone else had these issues and what can we do to get this policy changed?

[albertabrightalberta]

With respect, I disagree with the reason you're attributing the negs to. 

The more recent feedback indicates that the items are damaged and if so, the neg is likely deserved. I'm not sure why the buyer didn't open a NAD claim and just return them on your dime.

The other neg is for a remorse return (based on your reply) but since you have a return policy, you just should have told the buyer to open a return request. It would automatically have been accepted.

It sounds like instead of opening the request, he just left feedback. If that's not the case and if he contacted you before negging, why didn't you direct him to return through the order? 

I suspect you might have been told what you wanted to hear by the CS person you spoke to. I don't believe they'll remove either of those feedbacks.