eBay says returned item should have arrived by now and will refund buyer tomorrow

[e-cyclers-of-idaho2021]

We shipped a Sony DVD player to a buyer in Indiana. Apparently the buyer has worked for the USPS, the item arrived non-functioning, and buyer said it was packaged inadequately. Ok, I guess we aren't disputing that, I don't know, that's not what I'm asking about here now. So, buyer initiated return for defective item. The item came back to my US state, then went back to buyer's state, and now is back in my state and meanwhile eBay has concluded the item should have arrived by now and is saying eBay will refund the buyer tomorrow if I don't. I see no way to notify eBay the item hasn't actually arrived for us to check it otherwise we would have issued a refund by now. I'm guessing I just need to issue a refund regardless of the non-delivery of the returned item or else it counts against us. Is that correct?

[stephenmorgan]

Does not sound correct eBay would force a refund until after item has been returned. 

According to policy

https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/returns-items-not-received-refunds-buyers/return-item-refund?id=404...

Get your refund

Most sellers refund as soon as they get the item back. If the item has been returned to the seller and they haven't given you a refund after 2 business days, you can ask eBay to step in and help.

[mkaczorsee]

Where does the tracking indicate the return package is currently?

[stainlessenginecovers]

This is how it works here; once buyer ships it, if it's lost, damaged, taking the scenic route- they have a timer on it and it is ON YOU to refund whether you get it or not. 

[e-cyclers-of-idaho2021]

Tracking says it is currently in Boise, ID. It needs to get to Idaho Falls, ID to get back to us. Maybe if it leaves Boise tonight it could be delivered to us tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Here is a snippet of what I see on my end:

The item has not been delivered and the tracking shows that. Ebay just thinks it should have been delivered by now. This isn't a high value item. I could just issue the refund so eBay won't punish us if that is what I need to do. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

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@e-cyclers-of-idaho2021 wrote:

I could just issue the refund so eBay won't punish us if that is what I need to do. 

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That's exactly what you should do; especially over a low value item. Think big picture. 

[e-cyclers-of-idaho2021]

Yeah, it's gone on vacation. The package was almost returned to us on March 30th. At that time it was in Pocatello, ID which is only an hour away but for some reason after that the package went back to Indiana. Now it looks like USPS is attempting to return it again and it is in Boise at this time. The buyer, trying to do a return, originally sent it back on the 26th of March. 

[pikabo-icu]

Definitely just do the refund.

You will have to refund in the end anyway and you don't want eBay doing it for you or you'll get a defect and lose your FVF's. 

[e-cyclers-of-idaho2021]

I issued the refund. 

[grand-and-glorious-purpose]

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@e-cyclers-of-idaho2021 wrote:

I'm guessing I just need to issue a refund regardless of the non-delivery of the returned item or else it counts against us. Is that correct?

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Pretty much.

If you believe them there isn't really anything to fight about and you probably should have just refunded without taking it back...assuming that this was not anything expensive.