Buyer is "not registered user" but is requesting to return item. Is a refund even possible?

[moonshine666]

I received a request for a return but I noticed that ebay says buyer is "not registered user". I don't know if they sent the return request and then became unregistered (seems odd that they could even send a request if not registered).  So I'm wondering what would happen if I accepted the return. What I mean is, will I be able to refund someone who is not registered anymore? 

I suspect that this buyer was removed by ebay, as I can tell from their feedback that there were other sellers who where confused by the buyer's complaints. Kind of looks like a chronic complainer who maybe gets buyers remorse. In fact, in my case there is nothing wrong with the item. They seem to be imagining or concocting up a reason to return the item and get a refund. I rarely get refund requests and normally I just tell the buyer to send it back. This time I'm wondering about what to do because they are not registered any more and I don't know what might happen with that?

[inhawaii]

I don't think it is possible to conduct any business with someone who is no longer a registered user.

I would ignore they request.

[ckimodog]

@moonshine666 

I don't believe you can interact with someone is naru.  I'm surprised they were able to contact you. Sounds kind of fishy.  🐡  There's a reason why they were suspended.  Possibly a scammer who got caught. I wouldn't bother to communicate with them anymore.  

Happy Selling!

[sextons-sweet-deals]

ignore and add to your block list.

[the-hook-and-the-loop]

Do you have the option to accept or deny the request? Usually it's forced, even if eBay words it like you have a choice. I'm not sure I would just ignore it, like others have suggested. How long ago was the order placed? After 30 days, if a buyer requests a return, you have the choice to deny it.

If a non-registered guest can make a purchase, I'm sure they can start a return.

[moonshine666]

When the item was bought, they were an ebay user. When the request for return came, the item was already received by the buyer 29 days ago and they left me a positive feedback for it. I'm assuming that ebay has unregistered them but I would think it is possible for a user to unregister themselves. I'm a bit dumbfounded that someone now marked as not registered, is able to still communicate through the ebay item return request.   Not long ago, I had 2 other buyers who became unregistered and ebay sent me  warning letters to not mail the items or try to get them back if already mailed. Ebay also said not to communicate with the no longer registered person. Ebay also said something in that letter about how I should not give a refund without ebay's approval. I'm still waiting to see what is going on with one of those sales. There must be a lot of people getting unregistered these days because I have not had this issue in the past.

As far as this item goes, I responded through ebay with a message to the buyer. The short of it is...I said there is nothing wrong with the item and no reason for a return.

[robbie31415]

If the system let's them officially open a return then if they are still within 30 days of when it was delivered they are still entitled return. 

Ebay removing them doesn't remove consumer protections.

[moonshine666]

You would think the buyer would not be able to communicate but they opened the return request and they are communicating through that.  I'm only guessing that ebay "unregistered " them and I'm also guessing that the removal might have happened right after they opened the return request. Usually if a buyer is unhappy with an item I just have them return it but the fact that this person is no longer registered, gives me pause. Oh and they received the item 29 days ago and left positive feedback. It's only now, that I am I hearing they don't want it.

[12345jamesstamps]

No longer a registered user...buyer cannot get a refund through eBay.

[moonshine666]

Yep. This what makes it interesting. I replied to the buyer's request for return with my answer of "no return". Now I will have to wait and see what happens. Of course ebay does not give "no return " as an option so I guess this drama can drag on for a while. 

[moonshine666]

I'm just going to have to wait and see what happens. 

I have had two other buyers that became unregistered after buying an item and then ebay sent me a letter saying not to mail the item, not to respond to buyer, and not to issue a refund on my own (no letter received as of yet for this buyer). Neither of those buyers made any refund requests. One buyer's item was mailed long before ebay told me not to send it to the now unregistered buyer. In the other case, I'm still waiting for ebay to refund the buyer because I was able to stop the package from being mailed. I want to refund the money for the item that was not mailed but because the person is no longer registered I can not cancel the sale (I tried). So I'm waiting for ebay to straighten it out (whenever or if ever they will). 

I'm curious as to why I have run into a number of "no longer registered user" issues.

[inhawaii]

---

@robbie31415 wrote:

If the system let's them officially open a return then if they are still within 30 days of when it was delivered they are still entitled return. 

Ebay removing them doesn't remove consumer protections.

---

What if the system let the buyer officially open a return, then a minute later the buyer became NARU?