I sold an item and now given a refund

[wiersum95]

I sold a working item,

The customer said they received the item and it didn't work. I said it was working when I sent it, and wouldn't offer a refund. They threatened to get eBay involved and didn't want to risk bad feesback. So I did a refund and payed shipping for them to return the item. The item never came and my account was charged . Now I am out of my money for the item, and my item.  I have contracted the customer and they will not contact me back. I am not sure what to do now.

[cardguys]

Sorry to say it is a tough spot to be in. You sell an item and the buyer is not happy "always recommend" a return is opened. Let the return fully complete and issue the refund. Most buyers will be happy. There a few buyers which may find the return process a pain in the ""  but what are you going to do. " you bought an item on the web" It has to go back.  Now for feedback , thats a tough one too, if the buyer made up there mind already about feedback they are going to leave it even if you give a full refund so again always recommend opening a return. Now fast forward to your current situation, right now you have given the buyer Zero reason to return your item. You issued a full refund before they even put it in the mail and even provided return shipping. It is highly unlikely the item will be returned.  You might as well chalk this one up as a loss and learning experience not to be repeated.  Now for your return label , if it was not used I would void it out for a refund. At least recoup some money.  Hope this help

[1786davycrockett]

@wiersum95 

"I am not sure what to do now."

Nothing to be done.  You care entitled to declare this is a loss on your taxes.

Next time (if there IS a next time), advise the buyer to open a return case.  Once the buyer opens up a return case, eBay will instruct you on how to send the buyer a return label.  When you actually receive the returned item in your hands, is when you send the buyer a refund -- NOT BEFORE.

And sellers are NOT permitted to deny buyers refunds -- read the eBay  buyers' Money Back Guarantee  agreement, to which you had agreed when you signed up as a seller.

Since you had initially told the buyer that you were not going to refund them, I strongly suspect that this buyer is no longer interested in returning your item.

Not a good way to start off being an eBay seller.

[soh.maryl]

eBay's Money Back Guarantee for buyers is really very good from a buyer's point of view.

All the buyer needs to do if he receives an item that he feels is not as described is to open an NAD case.

The seller will be required to send a prepaid return label if he wants the item back and to refund in full when the item gets back to him.  

There is actually no option for a seller as "wouldn't offer a refund". 

May I suggest you read the MBG for yourself?  It can and most likely will affect your business model.