Why does Ebay allow buyers to return an item without providing a legitimate reason for return?

[esellsbest]

In less than 2 months I've dealt with two buyers trying to scam me by opening a return case for an item without responding or giving a legitimate reason for a return? 
I sold a phone on two different transactions and both buyers opened a case saying that the "phone doesn't work properly" without being able to provide actual proof into why it doesn't work. They don't respond to my messages and when I call Ebay support members they tell me oh you have to let them return the item because it doesn't work properly but they give ZERO valid reasons as to why the item is defective.

The first time this happen a support member told me to "not respond to the return case and if they buyer doesn't respond to your messages by the particular date the return will close in your favor". Later on when they automatically provided the buyer with a label without me approving to give one, I spoke to a supervisor they told me that "What the support member told you was false information". 

Oddly enough on the second transaction the first support member i spoke with told me a similar thing. They said "To call back before this particular date and tell the support team that you want to decline the return and if the buyer hasn't yet provided proof or responded then we can close it in your favor and you won't need to refund". Well as you can guess when I called later to do this they told me "Oh that was false information we don't have the ability to close this return request". I record all conversations with Ebay and have video evidence of a support member telling me FALSE INFORMATION two times in a row. Doesn't sound like a coincidence to me, it sounds like I'm being lied to purposely. 

On the second transaction I sold a brand new sealed phone never been used. The buyers photo as to why the item was "defective" was a picture of the item still in the box that I packaged it in and was never opened. I asked the support how they are favoring a buyer's request to return and item WHEN THE ITEM HASN'T EVEN BEEN OPENED????? HOW CAN THEY KNOW THE PHONE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY??? 

Now I have to wait potentially almost 3 weeks for them to ship me back an item that they probably tampered with or won't even send back. This is is beyond unreal and unfair and I'll most likely never sell on Ebay again after these transactions. 

[1tuna]

ebay allows buyers to do ths because thats the way ebay wants it

its not a scam, its just a part of doing business with ebay

in fact ebay has a term for it and its called return abuse

ebay wants to make sure that a buyer can return an item whenever they want to

they dont really ever need a legitimate reason and they certainly dont need to prove anything

your best bet is to just say YES to any and all returns and make sure the buyer gets a return label from you

I know this is not want you wanted to hear but its the way ebay handles returns

you need to go with the flow and not against it

@esellsbest 

[powell-memorabilia]

If I receive a defective, I return the item.  Whether online or at a store, I’m not interested in a deep dive into the issues.  No conversation or pen pals wanted - just my money back to me, thanks.  

Just let it go - cost of doing business.  Add the hassle and expense into your price.  

Don’t get hung up on a grand case against eBay CS - they wanted the conversation to end and told you what you wanted to hear.  Maybe you were being difficult or abusive, or maybe you were being respectful - who knows.  Recording their conversations provided nothing for you - ebay policy wins.  You aren’t going to sue eBay, so let it go and be happy.

[soh.maryl]

You know that, if the item isn't returned, you do not need to refund, right?