Return may not be forthcoming

[waterdoggmom]

I wrote to the community a few weeks back about experiencing my first return request for a low priced item that I sold to someone who decided they didn't want it.  It was a brand new item in original packaging.  This was a "buyer pays shipping" and "buyer pays for return shipping" sale, so it would actually cost them more to send it back than the actual cost of the item.  I accepted the return request, I think eBay was handling the shipping label side of things because I wasn't asked to send a label.   The buyer has until April 4 to send it back but I really suspect this is not going to happen....just my gut instinct and logic prevailing here.  My question is:  should I reach out to this buyer and ask them what they plan to do or should I let sleeping dogs lie?  If they don't send the item back, I believe eBay will eventually just close the case and free up my earnings.  Not a big deal, I just hope that I am handling this correctly, which seems to not stir things up; just accept the return and let things play out?  I don't want negative feedback from this, of course, I've been lucky thus far!  

Thanks -

[rokkworks · Accepted solution]

Let it go. 
The buyer may have changed their mind. Or forgotten. 

Also, FYI, if the buyer has used PayPal to pay, and previously signed up for PayPal’s free returns program, returning the item would cost them nothing. 

[pjcdn2005]

As you said, if they don't return it ebay will eventually close the case.

However,even if there is no tracking ebay does tend to send out a form letter saying something like..

" The buyer has indicated that they have shipped back the item and you should have received it by now so please refund by xx date." Unless there is tracking showing delivery, you can ignore the message as they send it out automatically.  I have received a few of them even though the item was never returned.

[soh.maryl]

Not sure why you think that "buyer pays return shipping" would work if the buyer opens an item not as described case.  

[waterdoggmom]

That's interesting about Paypal  - another thing I needed to learn.  Thanks.

[waterdoggmom]

Yes, eBay wrote to me, closed the case and released my funds; they said they saw no indication the buyer used the label they sent to him.

[waterdoggmom]

The buyer's reason was "changed my mind."  I guess they changed their mind again and kept the item. Thanks for the replies everyone!

[buyselljack2016]

Hope it continues to work out. You dodged the 1st arrow, but lurking is the possibility that the buyer will decide that the item was "not as described" and go to their payment method for resolution.

[waterdoggmom]

What is really interesting is that I just received very positive feedback from that buyer; it was as if they hadn't requested a return at all and were satisfied with the purchase...!