Return request for empty box???

[lotus3]

Have a problem that sounds like a scam, buyer messaged me that he received an empty box. I have been an ebay seller for 26 years and this is a first for me. the item was delivered according to tracking, buyer claims envelope was empty, I requested a photo,  it was still sealed, but totally ripped apart in the middle by him, he admitted this because he said there was too much tape on top, I only used 3 pieces to seal, guess he never heard of scissors lol   Anyway, he filed a claim with the post office as did I, called ebay CS and they told me not to refund as he hadnt filed with them and I had proof of delivery, but Today he filed a return request, I have until April 14 to respond to return, (I already resonded to him saying I was calling CS again) What should I do next, even though I already am pretty certain what the outcome will be. And how long does a decision on a postal claim take? Thank you for advice

[tobaccocardyahoo]

If you do not refund, whether you send a label or not, and Ebay intervenes in an Item Not As Described claim, the buyer will ask Ebay to intervene, receive a refund, and Ebay will keep the fees you paid.

If you voluntarily refund, Ebay will refund your fees.

Yes, empty envelopes arrive. Sometimes they are repacked or sealed by USPS, sometimes they are not.

[ebooksdiva]

Postal insurance is for the seller NOT the buyer. So don't be surprised when the buyer messages you all bent out of shape. I have never filed an insurance claim , so I don't know what the timeframes are on those. 
I'm going to guess the return was either not as described or missing parts or pieces. Either way you will be refunding. 
You really don't want eBay involved. They will 100% side with the buyer and give you a defect for not handling your returns yourself.