Best regards,
I know when a Return starts eBay posts a deadline date when the Buyer has to return an item. Sadly, eBay does NOT show that information once a return is Accepted. Does anyone happen to know how long a Buyer has to return an item once the item has actually shipped? I don't see any place on the return claim flow to ask eBay to step in and close a return.
The only options they give are
-Mark the item received
-Issue a refund
@ebooksdiva wrote:I believe the buyer has 3 weeks from the start of the return.
@ebooksdiva That sounds about right, I know when a return starts they are given a generous amount of time. I could not find any info in the Help Pages I looked at so not sure if it is published anywhere.
@lakefor94 wrote:The last couple of non returns I have experienced were closed within ~one to three days after the deadline.
@lakefor94 I have one that started the tracking process on 12-10 ... we are almost 10 days beyond that and tracking only shows the notation about item arriving late ... that was on the 15th and 16th. I "think" I may know where the package is ... stuck in Memphis.
The region it shipped from had that nasty snow storm last week ...
@lakefor94 wrote:I have never had a return that did not make it ontime. Just returns that were never followed thru on.
my open return states:
The buyer has until Dec 30 to ship the item back. If you choose to refund the buyer now, then the return will close and you shouldn't expect to receive the item.
This return has been approved automatically, per the eBay returns policy.
If the buyer doesn't ship the item back by Dec 30, we may close the return automatically and you will not be required to refund the buyer.
Could be a extended period as long as they get a scan by December 31st or so.
@lakefor94 That would be on the first page of what I saw when the return started but it is no longer visible through the Seller Hub Open return page ... while I suspect I know why it gets buried I just need to know where to find it.
I have only had one return that was not followed through by the Buyer. The one I am watching now is most likely due here in early January ... but below is all the info I have on the return and the link in the lower right does not give me the schedule either.
I am sure there is an "end date" in eBay's programming, they just don't let Sellers see what it is. To me that is obviously intentional which is what really bugs me. I definitely want the item returned but I have a feeling it is not going to happen or if it does it will be late enough that I can close the claim on my end.
@mr_lincoln wrote:
I am sure there is an "end date" in eBay's programming, they just don't let Sellers see what it is.
To me that is obviously intentional which is what really bugs me. I definitely want the item returned but I have a feeling it is not going to happen
or if it does it will be late enough that I can close the claim on my end.
The buyer has 15 business days (which is 21 or more calendar days) to mail the label.
And since early 2020, for returns which appear abandoned,
- sellers cannot ask eBay to close them,
- nor close it themselves.
@an-36344 wrote:
@mr_lincoln wrote:
I am sure there is an "end date" in eBay's programming, they just don't let Sellers see what it is.
To me that is obviously intentional which is what really bugs me. I definitely want the item returned but I have a feeling it is not going to happen
or if it does it will be late enough that I can close the claim on my end.
The buyer has 15 business days (which is 21 or more calendar days) to mail the label.
And since early 2020, for returns which appear abandoned,
- sellers cannot ask eBay to close them,
- nor close it themselves.
@an-36344 My SINCERE thanks for that. I could not find it. 35 days for some returns to remain open? Uhhhh, that's a bit excessive but perhaps that refers to International transactions which might make more sense. I need to bring this up to the eBay Team.
@stainlessenginecovers , @lakefor94 , @ebooksdiva
Now, for all who have contributed here, today I had an eBay message on my return ... this is 10 days after the Buyer printed the label and here is it:
eBay also states in that message that the Seller can ask them to step in after the date in the message.
Next, the Return flow also updated with new verbiage AND "Report a problem" link in the lower right per the pic below:
I will continue to follow this in the next few days to see what happens. Thank you all for your input!
@lakefor94 wrote:Great presentation of the flow so far. Bookmarked this thread.
Thanks to all the contributors.
@lakefor94, @an-36344 , @stainlessenginecovers , @ebooksdiva
Update:
-There was no tracking updates from the 16th to last night where all of a sudden the package has been scanned at one bulk center short of our local Post office AND on the eve of the deadline for the return per eBay messages. So this morning the eBay message DROPPED the last sentence about asking eBay to step in (pic of side by side messages below).
-It is possible that it will be delivered today BUT most likely it will be tomorrow the 23rd which is AFTER the return date deadline of the 22nd.
-I am not wild about how the eBay messages read, they imply that the Seller should issue a refund even though tracking has not shown the item to be returned yet. They SHOULD state NOT to refund until delivery confirmation occurs.
-So I am trying to decide if eBay's phrase to refund "By December 22" means no later then ON the 22nd or before the 22nd?!? The item was sold Auction style and over $ 100. Here are some of my thoughts and concerns:
A. I get the item back today (the 22nd) in the exact condition it was sent in, I refund and can resell with no loss since it was a remorse return and I can withhold the original shipping.
B. I get the item back today (the 22nd) damaged and can withhold the original shipping and 50% of the item price and then maybe sell the damaged goods as Parts only to help cut my losses.
C. I DON'T get the item back today and Ask eBay to step in tomorrow morning (the 23rd) and eBay closes the claim in my favor.
D. After C above where the claim is closed in my favor the item is delivered either intact or damaged so I can Resell it again (in one way or another) but the Buyer appeals and eBay reverses the refund taking money from my account. In this scenario the concern is I get a damaged item back BUT eBay refunds in FULL so I get the short end of the stick and lose more money then I should have.
