The timing of a refund.

[richard1rst]

As a seller I understand that in the event of a return I have to refund once the package is back to me. As a TRS+ I also have the option of certain deductions if it is returned “Not in original salable condition”. Seems reasonable.

BUT I now have a package I am returning as a buyer and I am advised that as soon as the package is scanned as received by the post office I will get my refund. Understand that as a buyer I am happy to get the refund much quicker without having to depend on the seller to follow through.

But why the 2 different procedures?

Is the first because I am a TRS+? Is the second because it was an auto part that didn’t fit? (MBG)

Or ?????

[pikabo-icu]

@richard1rst 

I think I read something about eBay trying this out on some buyers & sellers..

I can't recall where I read it but it's a trial thing they are testing. 

I think the usually norm is within 48 hours of receipt of the return. 

[fbusoni]

I may be mistaken, but I believe that @valueaddedresource has written about this in her newsletter.  

Or perhaps not??

[valueaddedresource · Accepted solution]

@richard1rst  eBay started providing "advance refunds" in some scenarios in August 2024.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Returns/Advanced-refund/m-p/34644243/highlight/true#M48334

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/refunding-buyers?id=5182#section1

When eBay refunds a buyer in a return request

eBay may sometimes issue a refund to your buyer on confirmation the return is on its way. When this happens, we’ll wait until the item is back with you before deducting the amount from you. This doesn’t impact your protections as a seller.

• Once you've inspected the item, you can complete the refund process from the return details and close the return
• If you don’t send the refund in the time frame provided in the return details, we’ll automatically deduct the amount from the total of your Available, Processing, and On hold funds

[pikabo-icu]

@valueaddedresource 

Thank YOU! 

I knew I read about it somewhere!!!  It was making me crazy tying to recall where. 

[richard1rst]

Thank you for that explanation. As it happens I dropped the package off at the local post office one afternoon. And by the end of that day I received a notice that the refund had been issued.

I had seen reports on these boards from buyers who have returned an item and then had to struggle to actually get the refund in a timely manner. This is so much less of a strain on my angst. Thank you again for the explanation.