How to go about returning an item when a seller doesn't accept returns?

[cactiii]

Just today I applied for a refund of an item that did not match the seller's description and I was immediately refunded. The seller doesn't accept returns, so now I'm confused as to whether or not I need to return the item and how to go about doing so. Should I wait for the seller to contact me? am I required to pay for shipping? Sorry if these are easy answers, I've never done this before!

[pjcdn2005 · Accepted solution]

When you open a return request because the item did not match the description the seller has the option of accepting your return and sending you a label OR of refunding you right away and not requiring a return.  Since they refunded you right away, you aren't required to return the item.

The above applies whether or not a seller accepts returns.

[itsjustasprain]

---

@cactiii wrote:

Just today I applied for a refund of an item that did not match the seller's description and I was immediately refunded. The seller doesn't accept returns, so now I'm confused as to whether or not I need to return the item and how to go about doing so. Should I wait for the seller to contact me? am I required to pay for shipping?

---

It does not sound as if you are likely to hear anything more from the seller and that they refunded because the cost of shipping it back was more than they wanted to pay. 

It is possible that they hit the wrong button and did not mean to refund you immediately - but if they do contact you and tell you something like that then just ask them to send you a return shipping label. A Not as Described case does not require you to return the item at your expense.

Otherwise you can consider this closed - nothing more for you to do.

[iart]

Thanks for being honest about this. But, yes, you get refunded and get to keep the item as well.

When a seller opts to 'not accept returns' it can be a benefit to buyers. Most sellers don't understand this.

[southern*sweet*tea]

Ebay has a 30 day money back guarantee that is available on most all items sold here.  You can see it on the listing if it qualifies.

When you receive an item that does not match the description or arrives broken the money back guarantee overrides any return policy the seller may have.   When an item not as described claim is filed the seller is required to either pay for a return shipping label OR refund in full. This is at the seller's discretion. For a low value item not worth paying return shipping for some sellers will just refund in full.

[pjcdn2005]

---

@iart wrote:

Thanks for being honest about this. But, yes, you get refunded and get to keep the item as well.

When a seller opts to 'not accept returns' it can be a benefit to buyers. Most sellers don't understand this.

---

@iart 

How is it a benefit? Whether or not a seller accepts returns they are always given the option to accept a return when a buyer opens a return request.   If the seller ignores the return request I know that in some cases ebay will refund on their behalf without requiring a return. But I've never heard that automatically happens just because a seller doesn't offer returns. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

This is all true, but only for items that are REALLY Not As Described.  

Many sellers have a no returns policy, which is perfectly VALID on Ebay, b/c their category gets a lot of returns for fit, changed mind, didn't like the color, etc.  Those are NOT SNADs & are not a valid reason to return or request a SNAD, if the seller has a No Returns policy.  

[cactiii]

Thank you very much for your help! I appreciate it 🙂

[pjcdn2005]

Yes I understand how a snad works.  But that doesn't answer my question ti @iart as to how a 'no returns' listing can benefit a buyer.   Your reply explains just the opposite.

[cactiii]

Thank you for your helpful reply!!

[cactiii]

Thank you for the explanation! 🙂

[iart]

No returns means that when a buyer files an item not described, and the seller refuses the return, the buyer gets refunded AND gets to keep the item.

Many posts in here from sellers about this. Some have lost thousands.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

---

@iart wrote:

No returns means that when a buyer files an item not described, and the seller refuses the return, the buyer gets refunded AND gets to keep the item.

Many posts in here from sellers about this. Some have lost thousands.

---

As a no returns seller, I still get the option to accept a SNAD.  If I accept it, I can still require a return of the item & always do. 

While true, that I cannot refuse it, if I don't reply, Ebay would allow them to keep the item, but as long as I reply, I can & do require the item to be returned, as do all the no returns sellers I know. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

---

@pjcdn2005 wrote:

Yes I understand how a snad works.  But that doesn't answer my question ti @iart as to how a 'no returns' listing can benefit a buyer.   Your reply explains just the opposite.

---

My post was to the OP, not you.    I was not trying to show how it 'benefit a buyer".  I was pointing out to OP, that no returns is a valid return policy on Ebay, which many sellers have & as long as their item is truly SNAD, it's acceptable to file a SNAD, but that it is not acceptable as an end-run around the policy, b/c they don't like the color, fit, etc.   I am not saying that's what OP was doing, just informational, since they are new to SNADs.

[southern*sweet*tea]

---

@iart wrote:

No returns means that when a buyer files an item not described, and the seller refuses the return, the buyer gets refunded AND gets to keep the item.

Many posts in here from sellers about this. Some have lost thousands.

---

No returns sellers can't "refuse" a SNAD.  They can either accept the return and send the label, refund the buyer in full, ignore it or let eBay decide.  In the last two cases the buyer keeps the item and gets refunded.