How to decline a return?

[brye1]

I had a buyer that wanted to return a item that I stated in the description "no returns accepted" and the item was for parts or repair.  When the buyer started the return process I went searching on Ebay for my options.  I found instructions on how to decline a return.  Well, it says go in to view return details and select decline the return.  No such option when I tried that??  I call Ebay, they tell me to accept the return then call them back when I get the item back and they will take care of the shipping charges.  I call Ebay back when I got the item back then I get a different person that tells me the first person I talked to shouldn't have told me that.  Now I have to file a appeal that the Ebay rep would take care of for me.  The next day I get a generic letter from Ebay in a nutshell telling me that's part of selling on Ebay.  Why do you have the information on how to decline a return if the option is not there?  I have been a seller on Ebay for 22 years and feel like I was really being jerked around with different solutions each time I called and talked to a different person when in reality they all new nothing was going to be done.  It doesn't seem to matter how well you describe your item, Ebay always sides with the buyer.  I'm out $30 because a buyer doesn't know what parts or repair means.

[wastingtime101]

That stinks, but at least it wasn't more than $30.

The reason you couldn't decline the return is because the buyer did not choose a remorse reason. They said the item wasn't as described which puts the burden on the seller to handle it. As you've learned, as long as a buyer says not as described, eBay will back them up. They don't even care if the buyer is telling the truth.

Since you fought the return, you not only lost, but you got an unresolved case defect on your account and you lost the fees.

eBay CS is (unfortunately) notoriously unreliable and dishes out info that will harm seller accounts. This board is a better place to come when you have questions. Sellers here have pretty much seen it all and can guide you when claims are filed. 

There are some things you can do to button-up your listings. For example, item 144375054128 was listed as "like new" but in the description says you started to assemble the product and parts are missing. Like New was the wrong condition to select.

Item 133997528219 condition field was left blank, but description says not working. Nothing technically wrong, but to avoid issues, it's always a good idea to fill out the condition field.

Item 144365290958 listed as "open box" but description says it's missing pieces. Open box was the wrong condition.

Item 133981226467 listed as "used" but description says batteries didn't make it run and it was missing a piece. Should have been listed as For Parts/Repair.

Item 133981113104 listed as RCA model 4650, but description says you don't know for sure if it's RCA model 4650. That's a policy violation.

None of these notes are meant to put your listings down. I'm trying to show you some easy things that can be improved to avoid buyers filing not as described claims and to avoid future financial losses. Good luck, man.

[simba6]

There is no such thing as no returns on eBay anymore.  If a buyer says they just changed their mind and no longer want it, then you can decline.  But then they can still file a charge back or case with paypal if that is how they paid.

Low priced items that have high shipping are a risk to sell because of that.  Your betting the profit form the sale vers the shipping if it's returned.

[brye1]

Thanks for the input but regardless of the missing information you mentioned on some of my listings(which is trivial) Ebay doesn't protect its bread & butter as well as it should...the seller.  When a listing says for parts or repair a buyer should not have a option to return the item, period.

[wastingtime101]

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@brye1 wrote:

Thanks for the input but regardless of the missing information you mentioned on some of my listings(which is trivial) Ebay doesn't protect its bread & butter as well as it should...the seller.  When a listing says for parts or repair a buyer should not have a option to return the item, period.

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No, eBay does not protect sellers. I believe I said that in my other post. That's exactly the reason why I suggested buttoning up your listings. The only defense we have is to make things as airtight as possible. Using the wrong condition (like new) for an item that's missing parts opens you up to a greater chance of a financial loss. Because eBay doesn't protect us, we need to do what we can on our own to minimize our losses.

[playklax]

Way back (maybe 10+ years), if an item was listed as parts not working, there actually was no returns allowed.  That changed and everything and anything is returnable now.  As WastingTime said, best thing to do is have your descriptions as detailed (correctly!) as possible to minimize any misunderstandings.  You're not going to win all the time (or, actually, any of the time!), so be prepared and only sell what you can afford to lose.  It's sad but true.  eBay is not the same eBay I started with 20+ years ago...

[r.soles.4]

Hey can i ask something..

i declined a return because the person said an item didn’t fit their partner. The size was stated in the listing also shown pictures of the label and in the description i wrote , due to the style of the piece it fits smaller than usual size M’s and would suit someone from a size S-M as it’s adjustable. Some words to that affect but everything was mentioned. And also that the item was a Women’s hat. Anyways, the buyer said it didn’t fit as their reason for a return and disputed it politely and they took it as i was being rude because i was not accepting the return.

i declined it - eBay says the claim is closed but in my sold section , under that item it says “returned”??

i have no money on hold or anything - why would it say returned

 thanks in advance

[kh-stanley1]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.