Theoretical Question; Buyer's return request is denied, and they ship it back anyways.

[discountfaucets]

Hi all! This is all entirely theoretical.
Buyer requests return because their customer already purchased the needed products (over 500$ order). I, again theoretically, decline their return request, because i don't accept returns and wouldn't even be able to withhold a restocking fee to cover shipping costs.
Then, a week or so later, a package shows up at this sellers door. It's those products.
What's the SOP for a situation like this? When the return was declined, you could assume the seller contacted them explaining that they can't accept the return as they sell with no returns, cant charge restocking fees, etc. and that they should try to get their customers to return the products they purchased, instead.

Should that seller reject the package and have it sent back to the address it was shipped from, the next day?
Not sure what policy states on this.

[Anonymous]

Just because the seller declined the request, doesn't mean ebay did too...Your theoretical needs more including if the buyer filed a claim with PayPal, separate from the ebay claim and the results of that claim.

[discountfaucets]

No paypal claim that i was made aware of. Payments are made to/Through Ebay's managed payment service. I'll check my email to be sure but i certainly haven't seen anything.
The reason for return was clearly buyers remorse and out of policy, not sure why ebay would accept any return if escalated but then again i wouldn't exactly be surprised.

[mtgraves7984]

Theoretically... the seller just got a bunch of free product. Hypothetically... they can sell it. Factually... no restocking fees.

[Anonymous]

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@discountfaucets wrote:

No paypal claim that i was made aware of. Payments are made to/Through Ebay's managed payment service. I'll check my email to be sure but i certainly haven't seen anything.
The reason for return was clearly buyers remorse and out of policy, not sure why ebay would accept any return if escalated but then again i wouldn't exactly be surprised.

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Gotcha. It helps if I read better.

[discountfaucets]

Looks like you've got a good bit more experience than me based on your feedback.
My concern would be something like a chargeback or whatever. Any idea as to how that might work out? That's the only reason i'd consider just refusing it. I've never had to defend a chargeback for this reason.
Thanks!

[discountfaucets]

All good haha. I checked my payment management page and it shows the funds were 'released' (hold was released when i declined the return request), but that's it.
Very weird that people just think they are entitled to just do as they please LOL. I'd expect this on another marketplace, but not here.

[rebell45]

So did the buyer theoretically open a Remorse return or a INAD/Damaged return request? If it was Remorse, yes the seller could refuse the return. If the other case, no, the seller would have to accept the return and refund.  Now, if the seller was able to refuse the request and the buyer sent it back anyway, then the seller would have to deal with refund requests for PayPal and a possible charge back from the buyer's credit card co. 

Theoretically, at this point I would recommend the seller issue a partial refund, withholding enough to cover his expenses on the sale.

[mtgraves7984]

Theoretically, at this point I would recommend the seller issue a partial refund, withholding enough to cover his expenses on the sale.

@discountfaucets , @rebell45 

Ethically, I think this ^^^ is a fair outcome. Good luck.

[discountfaucets]

Buyers remorse, for sure. It wouldn't let you decline a return if it was INAD. Buyer sent it back anyways.
Is just returning the package to sender a valid response?
The problem with refunding with a fee is that i'm now screwed on eBay fees on a 540$ or so order.
So to cover shipping costs plus fees i'd have to withold like 33%..

Plus at that point someone brazen enough to just send it back after being declined would probably just do a chargeback on the balance anyways lol.

This theoretical customer messaged said seller after he messaged them to tell them they can't take the return and asked that they be sent different brand stuff as a replacement because they use those other brands more often (buyer is a plumber).
These people have the biggest, shiniest brass pair, i just don't get it. eBay and other marketplaces don't make it any easier on us either.