Getting charged on shipping on return broken item

[nycblue3]

Hello,

I sold a working tablet (with pictures) back in April with '30 days returns and buyer pays for return shipping'. About 3 weeks later, the buyer claims the tablet is defective and my funds are placed on holds. The buyer uploads photos of a now broken tablet. The tablet seems fine but the screen was now displaying weird colors like if someone dropped it. I send the buyer two messages but he never responded back. I accept the returns, thinking maybe the mailman damaged it but why wait so long? I got the tablet back mid May. My only option was to refund the full amount (tablet cost plus shipping). Just when I thought it was over, today, ebay tells me I have a upcoming charge for that 'return shipping label'. So not only do I have a broken tablet, I had to refund the full amount and getting charge for shipping the tablet back to me. What are my options if any?

Not saying the buyer broke it...but someone can just break something and claim the item is defective and they will be completely off the hook, really?

[lakefor94]

If the buyer claims item is defective, you ALWAYS have to pay return shipping if you want the item back before refunding. 

The buyer pays the return shipping if they select a remorse type reason for the return. 

There are no other options if you want the item back before refunding in a Item Not As Described return case. 

[nycblue3]

So buyer can purposely break something to avoid remorse? Could video recording of the tablet working have done anything?

[lakefor94]

Videos can be faked so easily. That is why they are not accepted evidence. The buyer rules in a he said, she said argument.

Yes a buyer could break something and return it. Has happened and could happen but you are really reaching with that.  

[mtgraves7984]

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@nycblue3 wrote:

So buyer can purposely break something to avoid remorse? Could video recording of the tablet working have done anything?

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@nycblue3 

1) Unfortunately, yes. But honest buyers won't...
2) Unfortunately, no. Making a video only proves that you can make a video. 

[ms.rodriguez*]

Are you sure that you got the same tablet back. Do you have the serial number of the sold tablet. If yes, see if this one is the same one. If not, definitely report the buyer but unfortunately you are still out of the $ and the good tablet.

[nycblue3]

Yes, its the same tablet. The serial matches. When they initially started the return process, I couldn't tell if it was because the photos they uploaded were only of the screen. The buyer was not cooperating with supplying more photos. I figured it was another broken tablet so I took the chance. I didn't realize it would also cost me to have it shipped back in this case. I figured I couldn't claim insurance with USPS since it has been 3 weeks after delivery.

Seller has 8 feedback. All signs point that they dropped the tablet.

[fin-william]

Yes, they can break the item or just swap it with their old tablet, or just send back completely different item by using the claims system.