Buyer Refunded won’t return item

[Anonymous]

So I sold a Michael Kors weekender set and shipped the next day. Only carried it a couple times so it was barely used. Buyer received and said it NAD. I gladly provided a refund and eBay return label. She claimed eBay never sent her the label. Says it wasn’t attached to the email. So after going round and round and no response from EBay I told her I’d send her a label. Now she is non responsive and has kept my item and her refund. What do I do? I’m over EBay right now.

[gator08041971]

@Anonymous 

Future suggestion:

Try not to refund immediately, even when its for a claim of item doesn't match description or photos.

You can have them return it, and once its received you can provide the refund.

I have done this before in the past, and its then on the buyer to send it back before anything happens.

If they are trying to scam, they will either:

• Give up and not send it back
• Send you back an empty box

Depending on your listing, you sometimes can have the option to keep up to 50% of the refund, but as you had this listed with no-returns, you probably won't qualify for that.  In most cases, you may still have to refund regardless, but keep in mind, its better for you to offer returns for most items, it will deter (not prevent) bad buyers.  They like to target sellers that don't accept returns.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so very much. I think I’m done with the EBay game. Learned my lesson. I still don’t understand why eBay doesn’t protect sellers. I am lodging a complaint with FTC as I’ve read other threads about this scam. Dept of Homeland Security contacted me once before when my son bought a video game from a fake eBay store. It’s such a large platform for sellers that I thought I would give it a shot. But I truly got burned.

[pickapaper]

@Anonymous 

It's complicated to sell on eBay.  With regard to returns, eBay has certain procedures which have to be followed.  The rule of thumb is to receive the item back before you issue a refund.  When you issue a refund in advance, there is no incentive for the buyer to return the item.  

It is unfortunate this happened with a more costly item.  But I hope you will reconsider about giving up.  You have some very nice items and it would be a shame if you stop selling.  Other selling online platforms won't be any different.  But whatever you decide, we wish you the best of luck. 

[kensgiftshop]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thank you so very much. I think I’m done with the EBay game. Learned my lesson. I still don’t understand why eBay doesn’t protect sellers. I am lodging a complaint with FTC as I’ve read other threads about this scam. Dept of Homeland Security contacted me once before when my son bought a video game from a fake eBay store. It’s such a large platform for sellers that I thought I would give it a shot. But I truly got burned.

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There was no scam, you decided to refund before the item was returned.

Once you refunded, the case was closed and a shipping label was not issued.

In your complaint, be sure and mention you screwed up and it wasn't Ebays fault.

[inhawaii]

Return first, then refund.

If the buyer has already been refunded, they have no incentive to return the item.

Let's hope they are honest.

[stuff4divas]

@Anonymous   it's not ebay's fault that u did not read their policies.

the only time sellers refund w/o receiving the item back first is bc they don't want the item back.

some buyers are honest, others not. looks like u came across a dishonest buyer.

Sorry 😥

[Anonymous]

Yep.. lesson learned… 

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Exactly what I needed to hear.

[fern*wood · Accepted solution]

I'll offer a tip that has helped me immensely with selling.  Anytime I encounter something new or something I'm unsure about, I read this board for answers or ask a question here.  I don't advise calling the ebay phone reps, I find they generally know way less than other sellers here. 

Even though I've been here awhile, I go really carefully when responding to a return.   There are several options and I find a couple sound similar but with very different outcomes.