Free Return Shipping?

[electronics_cash_exchange]

Hello, I have had a buyer start a return before the item has got to the buyer's location. The item was sold with top seller status meaning it had one-day shipping and free returns. Since the return reason is “just didn't like it.” And they purchased the "wrong item," I was wondering how paying for the return label works, and any websites that will help me.  The return was automatically accepted and I don't see how this works. Do they just ship it out and I pay the cost of whatever label? Or do I send one over messages? Or did eBay take care of it because of the return reason?

Context: I believe based on purchase history that the buyer bought my item and another person's same item. Then returned mine because the other got there first. Although I am upset that I feel the free return got taken advantage of, I was hoping top seller status would not lead to issues like this...

Thanks for the input!

[buyselljack2016]

free returns.  You pay no matter what the reason. Could be because the sky is blue.

If auto accepted eBay may have provided a label that the buyer would use. Likely given about 3 weeks to use it.

If you need to send a label that should show there in the request.

I require an RMA #. Return is auto accepted, but I have to assign a #. I have eBay provide the label.

You were not taken advantage of. The return in within full compliance of the policy that YOU chose to offer to reap the rewards of TRS Plus fee reductions.

[electronics_cash_exchange]

Agreed, I chose to take the risk, regardless of the outcome. Hopefully, I will have some better luck in the future. I will look into RMA if I continue down the Top Rated Route. Thanks!

[buyselljack2016]

For me the addition of the RMA # was in defense of eBay "toying with" randomly using FedEx as the return carrier.

Currently it allows me to decide if I want an item back, or to just refund. 

[fbusoni]

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@buyselljack2016 wrote:

For me the addition of the RMA # was in defense of eBay "toying with" randomly using FedEx as the return carrier.

Currently it allows me to decide if I want an item back, or to just refund. 

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@buyselljack2016 

Ditto.  

Do you get to choose between carriers?  I am offered a choice between USPS and FedEx.  

[buyselljack2016]

@fbusoni 

Mine (get few) were all coming up as USPS (as they were sent) but as eBay was "experimenting?" with "FedEx returns" I went to the RMA to prevent such if needed.

My understand from reading the board posts when this was happening was that eBay was taking full charge of the process when the returns were involved and randomly applying FedEx without regard as to how to items were initially shipped.