eBay

adwyth · ‎02-09-2023

A buyer claimed a piece of networking equipment I sold and delivered to him did not work. Mindful of my on-line reputation, I immediately refunded his full purchase price and asked for the unit's return (I find it doubtful the unit is non-functional).

The buyer now does not answer my emails and has not returned said unit.

What are my options at this point?

chapeau-noir · ‎02-09-2023

@adwyth If you refunded the buyer before they opened a return case, unfortunately you have no options whatsoever left save to depend on the buyer to return it on their own dime.

They probably figured that since you refunded for it not working (as they said), that was the end of it.

Be sure never to refund unless the buyer actually opens a request for refund and you have the item back in hand, unless you really don't want the item back.

Hell is empty. And all the devils are here.

monica-sells · ‎02-09-2023

How were you alerted to the situation (says buyer claimed)

did they open a return case so you could issue a label for return?

if you simply refunded, you are pretty much at the mercy of the buyer as to whether you get it back....

do a quick read on the protocols for a return and your options.......never refund until you get your item back and never let ebay 'step in' to help the process....

might have to chalk this one up to a learning experience....

inhawaii · ‎02-09-2023

You shouldn't have refunded before the return.

Since you did, you only have one option: Hope they return it.

Lido Shuffle - Boz Scaggs

chapeau-noir · ‎02-09-2023

It might help to generate a shipping label for them and attach it in a message to them - that makes it much easier and 'much easier' gives a better chance of getting your item back. If they don't use the label, you won't be charged for it.

Hell is empty. And all the devils are here.

soh.maryl · ‎02-10-2023

A seller is not required to refund before receiving the returned item.

Basically no good options at this point except to promise yourself you won't make that error again.

ten_o_nine · ‎02-10-2023

You can report them to eBay, and hope eBay does something with the reports, maybe similar to 3 strikes and you're out.

soh.maryl · ‎02-10-2023

The OP voluntarily refunded the buyer without getting the item returned to him.

Doubtful what, if anything, eBay would do if reported. Where do you get "3 strikes and you're out? There is, as far as I can see, no "strike" involved here. And if you are referring to the rule that allows sellers to refuse to deal with buyers who have two strikes for nonpayment, that's an entirely different thing.

dbfolks166mt · ‎02-10-2023

In addition to what others have posted if this was the following item it was posted with Seller does not accept returns.

fashunu4eeuh · ‎02-10-2023

@ten_o_nine wrote:
You can report them to eBay, and hope eBay does something with the reports, maybe similar to 3 strikes and you're out.

There is nothing to report, essentially. The seller jumped the gun, willingly refunded, without waiting to receive the goods back. From a legal perspective, this can be considered a gift.

Is it unethical for the buyer to keep the item? I would argue yes, it is. But there are no written rules or penalties that eBay could apply to force a return under these circumstances.

The buyer’s actions do not meet the criteria for an abusive buyer claim, including misuse of the return process, as defined in the policy. See link below. Unless there is something else overlooked in eBay’s buyer policies, i am afraid this can only be chalked up as an expensive lesson.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/rules-policies-buyers/abusive-buyer-policy?id=4374