Appealing a Decision

[fruma2z2]

How is possible that you can provide proof that an item was purchased New with all its contents and a buyer return an item used claiming that they did not have the connections to use the item and you still can loose the case. Does ebay even look at the case and does a seller ever win a case? It seems like a no win situation.

[mtgraves7984]

A seller never 'wins' on a Return... but I do see that you're a TRS and that you offer 30-Day Returns. If a buyer returns an item to you that is destroyed/de-valued/different than how you sent it, you can deduct up to 50% on the refund. You'll make the changes in the Case when the item is returned.

It's about the last seller protection we have. Use it. It doesn't make you whole, but lessens the sting a bit... and you won't need eBay to look at it. Good luck.

[cashvaluerecovery2011]

Over my 22 years at ebay I have never, not a single time, ever won an appeal where the buyer did not break one of the few rules that would help a seller. So literally, the buyer can send you back a rock, tell you "haha I stole from you" in messages, and provide pictures as proof. You will still lose this case.

Now provide a police report, or Ic3 internet fraud charge report, and show those to ebay and at that time they MIGHT take your seriously.

Ebay gets to play by different rules because they are worth a ton of money. The fact is they have been a giant help to scammers for 2 decades. So much so that in my opinion they have long since crossed the line to aiding and assisting in crime by allowing scammers to just create a new account even if they are banned after getting caught. Of all the many ways a person can be blocked....IP, Credit card numbers, Addresses, Bank accounts etc. There are always things linking you to an old account name with a new one and none of these are used to keep a previous busted scammer from coming right back.........and yes..........their zero feedback account will win against you again on the very next scam.

The good----I sell at least 1000 items before I see a scam attempt. So just dont do high price or high risk items here so your 999 sales dont have to make up for the one you get scammed on. Following up with filing charges on thieves does work if you know what you are doing.

The bad---- Ebay does not care and will not assist you in any way as a seller unless you can prove the buyer violated one of the few seller protections you have IE feedback extortion, not shipping return back in proper amount of time etc. All very vanilla things. And just dealing with customer service that ebay provides is worse than the scam most of the time.

Goodluck

[caldreamer]

EBAY has no way of knowing if all attachments actually went inside box (so they ruled in favor of the buyer).   Buyer wins 99.9% of the time (don't waste your time appealing).

Just a heads up...I noticed that your listings allow 30-day returns (that means buyer can return item for ANY reason).    Yet in your item description you state "items can only be returned if defective" (you CANNOT stipulate reason for return). 

[bebe-1153]

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@fruma2z2 wrote:

Does ebay even look at the case and does a seller ever win a case? It seems like a no win situation.

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You wrote "Appealing a Decision" in the subject, which sounds like eBay already stepped in.

First of all, an appeal does not make things right: It's just a financial decision whether or not to pony up an out of pocket refund to whoever is complaining. That's all.

Then, if eBay was asked to step in, there's no option anymore for a TRS Top Ramen Seller with 30-day returns to withhold up to 50% from the refund.

If we're asked to step in and help and the item is returned used or damaged, you will not be able to issue a partial refund even if you qualify to issue partial refunds under our seller protections.

You live, you lurn.

[katzrul15]

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@fruma2z2 wrote:

How is possible that you can provide proof that an item was purchased New with all its contents and a buyer return an item used claiming that they did not have the connections to use the item and you still can loose the case. Does ebay even look at the case and does a seller ever win a case? It seems like a no win situation.

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E-bay will generally side with the Buyer, especially if they return the item. Once you get it back, you can assess how to refund and if any deducts apply.  E-bay might do a courtesy partial to a buyer in appeal, but buyers only get so many.  I think Sellers are afraid to stand their ground on these type of returns.

Sellers should so it is documented against that Buyer with e-Bay.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Ebay protects the buyer’s interest. Sellers are on their own. When a case is opened, it is usually a slam-dunk for the buyer. It is likely a warm body doesn’t review the case until the appeal.

If you decide to appeal, the link below explains how. Good luck.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/appeal-ebays-decision-return-missing-item...

[mtgraves7984]

If we're asked to step in and help and the item is returned used or damaged, you will not be able to issue a partial refund even if you qualify to issue partial refunds under our seller protections.

@bebe-1153 

Good point. I missed the title line altogether. Yes, @fruma2z2, the refund reduction is seller-generated. Moving forward (and the bottom line is...), don't allow such a case to be escalated to eBay.