Buyer Requested Refund and did not send item back

[mg_2014]

I sold and item "as is no returns" and the buyer fraudulently initiated a return claiming my merchandise was fake (it's not). I opened a claim regarding this return with eBay but eBay chose to side with the buyer and has given me no recourse to get my item back. I contacted eBay support via phone multiple times throughout this process and expressly told to NOT issue a return label as the claim was groundless and had been decided in my favor. However I then got an email saying the opposite and now my appeal has been denied. I never agreed to the return throughout this entire process. EBay has released the funds back to the buyer, so I am out my item and money. I have attempted to contact the buyer, but they will not respond to me. I talked to customer support and was told nothing could be done. So short of hiring a lawyer to sue this buyer for obvious fraud and theft, what recourse do I have?

[12345jamesstamps]

'what recourse do I have?'...

No returns does not mean no returns on eBay.

Because you decided to not do a return label and you take 'no returns'...the buyer gets a refund and keeps the item.

Is this fair?...No, but this is how it's done on eBay.

Calling customer service at this point will not be of any help.

[bonjourami]

Its the kiss of death for any seller to ask Ebay to step into a case. They will always rule in the buyers favor, as they see the seller as not resolving the case. You probably got a defect for that too..good luck with suing the buyer, Ebay handled the case exactly as they said they would in the U/A.

[kensgiftshop]

If you wanted it returned before refunding, you should have accepted the return and provided a shipping label.

It was pretty much over for you when you got Ebay involved in the return.

And you can't leave negative comments in buyers feedback.

Buyer can have it removed and you'll get a policy violation.

[mg_2014]

In what world does challenging in illegitimate return mean "you can just keep the item". It should clearly allow for return of merchandise following the case. That was NEVER disclosed to me.

[mg_2014]

I was directly told by eBay customer service NOT to send the label and that I would be able to get my item back, so that's why I did what I did.

[12345jamesstamps]

Useful information in the future...customer service is just an answering service...and usually based in another country. I stopped calling them years ago.

[bonjourami]

Sorry to say just more bad advice from a scripted Ebay drone.You've learned the hard way when a buyer opens a snad case, provide a return label, and refund after return. Theres no sense fighting it, you wont win. Ebay is buyer centric..always.

[12345jamesstamps]

I myself still don't know everything about eBay selling  here and eBay does change selling procedures periodically. 

I understand the pain when it is especially an expensive item.

This one bits hard when it is not a cheapo item and sometimes these buyers know more how to get away with such from sellers...as a refund and keep the item.

[bonjourami]

Now you've added to your problem by leaving that buyer that terrible feedback. If he reports it, Ebay will remove it, and you wil receive another defect. Too many of those and Ebay will permanently suspend you.

[kensgiftshop]

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@mg_2014 wrote:

I was directly told by eBay customer service NOT to send the label and that I would be able to get my item back, so that's why I did what I did.

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As soon as you contacted CS, the already knew how it was going to turn out.

They will tell you anything just to get you off the phone quicker and get to the next caller.

When a buyer files an INAD, it's best to accept the return, then get Ebay involved after the item has been returned.

You'll still be refunding, but you'll have the item back.

[mg_2014]

So I have no recourse in that I followed the exact instructions laid out to me by eBay? I was straight up lied to by customer support, to aid in fraud.

[jerseyboymusic]

@mg_2014 

Whoever you spoke with on the phone are not Ebay employees.

You accept the return and refund once you get the item back. If you don't accept the return request, the buyer can keep the item AND get a refund.

That's the Ebay Money Back Guarantee. You CAN'T fight that, no matter what the outsourced Asian customer disservice reps say

[mg_2014]

They are literally employed by and represent eBay as the source of information when a customer has a problem. I don't understand how I could possible be held liable when I was following their instructions. There is no reasonable way I could know that the official eBay customer support on their website are not representatives of eBay.

[caldreamer]

 Sorry this happened to you but there is no such thing as "no returns".    EBAY 30-Day Money Back Guarantee (supersedes "no returns" policy) allows customer to claim "not as described, counterfeit, defective, missing parts" (you will be forced to refund purchase price + shipping BOTH ways).   Customer are NOT required to prove their claim.   EBAY always rules in favor.

EBAY policy states if you refuse to accept "not as described" return...EBAY will immediately refund the customer and let them "keep your item". 

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/handling-return-requests?id=4115

If the buyer reports that the item arrived damaged or doesn't match the listing description, you'll see different options for responding to the return. If the purchase is covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee policy, you'll have to accept the return, even if you have a no returns policy. 

When the buyer opens a return request we'll notify you by email (to your registered email address) and through eBay Messages. You have 3 business days to respond to the request and resolve the buyer's issue. We've outlined your response options below. In some cases, we may automatically accept a return request on your behalf.

If you're unable to resolve the issue within this time, the buyer may ask us to step in and help. In some cases, if you haven't responded to the return request, we may issue a refund to the buyer and seek reimbursement from you without requiring the buyer to return the item.