Abusive Buyer Demanded a Refund

[kate2131]

This bad person purchased one of my items, and 2 weeks later demanded a return. Said the item is not as described, which is not true. Pictures supplied by the buyer have absolutely nothing visual to indicate any difference with my listing. Its clearly a lie, simply this person changed their mind or found a better deal, or the item didn't fit properly. I do not accept retruns. However, after reading posts here, I figured there is nothing I can do that will help me not to loose in this situation. Ebay doesn't protect sellers. At this point I just have to cut my losses and move on. I want to get the item back, and I want to get the Ebay fees that I paid on it. I was just wondering if there is anything I can do after to make others aware of this buyer's behavior and lies? I am also afraid that the item will be returned damaged, just have this feeling. I am tempted to close my ebay account after this, this stress is just not worth the money. TIA.

[tinsoldierunderground]

Unfortunately, the fact that you don't accept returns will work in the buyer's favor.  Ebay will no doubt refund the buyer if they open a case, and will not insist the buyer return your item.  The savvy sellers who've been around a while accept returns for the very reason that they will be able to get their item back, should a buyer open a case.   Has the buyer opened a NAD yet?

[dentalsales4u]

If the buyer filed a INAD case (item not as described), your only options are to let the buyer keep and refund or provide a return label. Once item is received back, you refund.

The only thing you can do is report the buyer if they return in a different condition than received.

Which I wouldn't do until you get your item back to see what condition it is in.

Then you can make an informed decision for reporting the buyer.

If you're willing to call it quits after one return that you don't agree with, maybe ecommerce isn't for you.

No returns, doesn't mean no refunds in eBay's eyes. 

Some buyers will lie about a return if you have no returns in your listing. 

It's always a good idea to accept returns. It works better with eBay's 30 day money back guarantee.

[soh.maryl]

If you want to get your item back, you need to tell that buyer to open an item not as described case, you send him a prepaid return label and you refund in full when the item arrives back to you.  

This is all in the Money Back Guarantee, which ALL sellers should read.

Your "I do not accept returns" means nothing if the buyer opens an NAD case.

If a seller could avoid all responsibility for an item not as described, don't you think ALL sellers would say that? 

[vintagecraze50]

YA have to accept returns on here, or the buyer will force the issue and they will get refunded. Here is an very important tip—buyers will tend to tell you the item is not as decribed even if that is a load of horse poo, because they figure you wont accept a return because  you have NO returns ON YOUR LISTINGS. ANOTHER CLEVER THING they do is go back to their charge card and file a chargeback. When the ole chargeback comes there is very little that Ebay can do to help you. My advice if you continue here. Accept returns.

[12345jamesstamps]

Buyer needs to open a claim...and you send a returning shipping label.

Some buyers don't use the returning shipping label and don't return item...which means you would get the funds back. Buyer might be hoping you don't refund and buyer can keep item for free.

Make the buyer return the item....buyer has to repack it and go to ship it back to you. A hassle for any buyer.

Block the buyer from future purchases.

We have all been there....I have had a few funny returns...but I will not let one buyer stop me from selling here.

This comes with the territory. I wake up in the morning hoping there are no emails from eBay. LOL.

[inhawaii]

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@tinsoldierunderground wrote:

Unfortunately, the fact that you don't accept returns will work in the buyer's favor.  Ebay will no doubt refund the buyer if they open a case, and will not insist the buyer return your item.  The savvy sellers who've been around a while accept returns for the very reason that they will be able to get their item back, should a buyer open a case.   Has the buyer opened a NAD yet?

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Not true.

Why do so many sellers keep saying this?

I have a no returns policy.

I always get my item back before the buyer gets a refund.

You can have a no returns policy and accept INAD returns.

Accept the return.

Pay for return shipping.

Get the item back THEN refund the buyer.

[kate2131]

Wow, I am glad to see so many replies so fast! Thank you all for that! Everyone has a valid point, and unfortunately proves that there is nothing that I can do. This is my first return, so I got discouraged easily.

Yes, INAD was created and the shipping label was sent to this bad person. I just want my item back and at least the fees I paid on it. The rest is on their consciousness, if they have any. 

[tinsoldierunderground]

Guess I should have worded that better.  If a seller holds hard and fast to "no returns", ebay refunds the buyer, and they don't have to return the item. 

[tobaccocardyahoo]

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@kate2131 wrote:

 I am tempted to close my ebay account after this, this stress is just not worth the money. TIA.

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Sellers with low sales volume and big ticket items find themselves facing a lot of stress.

Yes, some buyers will cheat you. But most clothing buyers expect to be able to return an item which they do not like the fit of. They will usually treat it with care and return it promptly. No returns sets up an adversary situation with some buyers who would be willing to pay the cost of return shipping.

Once there is an adversary situation, there is more chance of losing your item and having to refund.

Higher volume sellers can amortize the cost of a transaction gone bad over many sales. Low volume sellers with high prices have to take a painful loss.

Whether you leave Ebay or not, you need to rethink your strategy and your returns policy, I cannot tell you what to do. I would not sell what you sell because whatever you do, you will have to deal with high maintenance buyers. I have no patience for high maintenance buyers.

[kate2131]

Just an FYI, Poshmark protects its sellers. I bought something and the seller sent me the wrong size (it was listed as US size, but was really UK size). I objected and sent pictures. But was told its my fault, I should've verified US vs UK...No refund, I am stuck with the useless item. 

[chapeau-noir]

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@kate2131 wrote:

Wow, I am glad to see so many replies so fast! Thank you all for that! Everyone has a valid point, and unfortunately proves that there is nothing that I can do. This is my first return, so I got discouraged easily.

Yes, INAD was created and the shipping label was sent to this bad person. I just want my item back and at least the fees I paid on it. The rest is on their consciousness, if they have any. 

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It's a poor idea to try to sell clothing and accessories with a 'no return' policy - some people can do it but they're generally extremely experienced in their particular market or don't sell things which have more of a chance of returns. Someone who doesn't want the item might simply file not as described to return it so they're not stuck with something that doesn't fit. I've sold clothing here for years and have found that the vast majority of people are honest about their returns.

You can decide which items to use a return policy for and which to have 'no returns.'

[kensgiftshop]

Don't sound good for buyers?

[chapeau-noir]

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@kensgiftshop wrote:

Don't sound good for buyers?

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I sell on Poshmark and if the seller showed only UK rather than US sizing and listed under US sizing and never mentioned that it was UK sizing, the buyer should have been able to return for refund and normally would have - I would actually have contested that.

[baydealz]

We've all been there, some just know how to suck it up as 'part of business.'  Others, like me, refuse to obey this marketplace tyranny.  Sell elsewhere.  I used to complain about 50% of trades as having issues, (if not demanding return, they want a 'price adjustment' or they 'will do charge back,'  maybe more now as buyers learn this.  If you're selling bulk Chinese crap as eBay seems to want, it doesn't really matter.  If you sell quality used items, you're gambling, just like on Amazon, which no one really does anymore (all new Chinese crap).  ecommerce sites don't want us.