Off-the-record returns

[steve7485]

A seller returned an item without initiating a formal return request. Am I losing out on anything from eBay if I refund this seller without  demanding a formal return request?

[varebelrose]

Why would the seller be refunded...?

[buyselljack2016]

you are losing out on a ding to your seller metrics.

[gloryglorygifts]

How does a seller return an item?

If you are a buyer and didn't open a return through ebay you may be losing out on your buyer protection from ebay. Seller doesn't have to give you any refund, especially if you return something without tracking. Best to always use the tools ebay has in place to conduct business. This way there is a record of everything. 

[albertabrightalberta · Accepted solution]

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@steve7485 wrote:

A seller buyer returned an item without initiating a formal return request. Am I losing out on anything from eBay if I refund this seller buyer without  demanding a formal return request?

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Since you don't have a return policy, you wouldn't have been obligated to agree to a remorse return request and I would assume that's what this is based on the fact that the buyer didn't open a claim.

Although you aren't obligated to issue a refund because of the buyer's lack of following policy, I'd issue a refund for the item price, deducting non-refundable fees and original shipping. (My opinion is that it wouldn't be ethical for you to have the item back plus keeping all the money.)

[steve7485]

Yes, I miswrote “seller” — should’ve written “buyer.”

[steve7485]

Meant to write “buyer.”

Thank you. This is how I prefer to proceed. Will again urge buyer to open a return request.

[12345jamesstamps]

I would refund the buyer. Considering what you sell and what the buyer buys refund the buyer. This could be a potential repeat buyer in the future. My business plan is repeat buyers. Buyer was honest. Seller should be honest. Your shipping seems a little high. I wonder what the buyer paid to send it back to you. Might want to use the buyer's what they returned it to you as a new shipping cost.

[monster-deals]

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@steve7485 wrote:

Am I losing out on anything from eBay if I refund this seller without  demanding a formal return request?

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Yeah, your money.

[ms.rodriguez*]

I would just refund them the price MINUS the shipping and the ebay fees and make sure that you block them.  If they want more, tell them that they were lucky to get that since they voided the buyer protection returning outside of the ebay system.

[fab_finds4u]

Years ago there was a post by a seller what if an item shows up on my porch I wasn't  expecting. Delivery wasn't  refused by the buyer. They returned it on their dime and wanted a refund. eBay employees answered and said to refund. 

I guess you could refuse to refund and force the buyer to file a dispute with eBay, PayPal or their credit card and see if you're forced to refund or not. I think it's not ethical for the seller to have both the payment and the item so my advice is deduct buyer paid shipping and refund the item cost.

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[fab_finds4u]

Thinking about it, I'm  pretty sure the employee was Herman in Shipping that said to refund.