Buyer return reqest, I think I need help?

[iminbus_18]

I sold a brand new, factory sealed Logitech Harmony remote control with hub on Feb 19th. It was received, now the buyer sent a return request. You need to hear the whole story and why I have a problem with this return. I sent the purchase out on Feb. 20th around 2pm. USPS took they're time scanning this package into their system. At 8:42pm same day, item couldn't be tracked and appeared to never have been dropped off. I immediately messaged the buyer telling him that, I in fact did go to USPS, they do have the package and sometimes packages don't get scanned. I told buyer not to worry, it is on it's way. The next day it arrived at the buyers location, that was Feb. 21. Feb. 23rd, I get a message indicating that this customer has submitted a return request.

This is a Logitech Harmony remote with hub, but, this is not what I sent.

[kensgiftshop]

If you want it returned before refunding, accept the return and send a shipping label.

[r_lresale]

What do you need help with? If they opened an INAD you have to accept.

[itemresa]

There's no help to be given. Your buyer opened an INAD claim and per eBay's Money Back Guarantee you have two choices:

1. Accept the return and when you get the controller back refund your buyer.

2. Refund your buyer now and let them keep the controller.

P.S. There's nothing in your "whole story" that's going to void the MBG. A missed pick up scan doesn't void a INAD claim.

[iminbus_18]

But, I sent a brand new factory sealed item and the customer is saying a used item was in the box which just isn't true. This customer obviously has replaced the new one with a used one.

[dbfolks166mt]

     You have a couple of choices. You can either accept the return and offer a full refund upon receipt of the returned item or you can let the buyer keep the item and fully refund them. While your listing states "seller does not accept returns" that does not translate to no refunds. Buyer is covered by the eBay MBG in almost all instances. 

     Obvious this is probably a scammer that  bought your new one and will send back their old one. 

[iminbus_18]

This customer is trying to get a brand new item for free! What, send them money and get a used item back?

[m60driver]

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@iminbus_18 wrote:

But, I sent a brand new factory sealed item and the customer is saying a used item was in the box which just isn't true. This customer obviously has replaced the new one with a used one.

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Ebay does not care.

[iminbus_18]

Look at the photo! The items look years old. It could be one they were using, but, stopped functioning. Now they get a new working item by saying I sent them this old beat up item. They send the beat up used one  to me and I give them $130?

If you want it returned before refunding, accept the return and send a shipping label.

What do you need help with? If they opened an INAD you have to accept.

This kind of thing isn't allowed or is it!!

[iminbus_18]

Seriously? What do I need help with?

I'm being ripped off... Hello!

[dbfolks166mt]

Seriously? What do I need help with?

I'm being ripped off... Hello!

     Yes sadly you are and unfortunately eBay looks at it from a he said, she said situation and eBay will almost always side with the buyer when it comes to NAD claims. It's known as friendly fraud and it is a growing problem everywhere not just on eBay. Some sites will attempt to monitor behavior in both buyers and sellers and constrain habitual problem users but eBay's focus is almost all directed, from what we can tell, at the sellers. 

     Scammers and bad buyers simply open another account, utilize a VPN... to help mask abuse of the system. 

[studiodeflores]

Are you saying that you sent the buyer a new item and they are sending you a photo of a used one and then  claiming 'not as described'?  I don't sell tech items but in reading this discussion board over the years, this seems to be a common scam with tech purchases, especially cell phones.  They are trying to get a new one from you for free by sending a photo of an old damaged one and claiming that you sent them the damaged one.  At least make them return it to you before you issue a refund.  They might just give up and not bother going through the trouble of mailing it back.  They also might send you the damaged one back, and in that case I keep hearing that ebay will typically decide in favor of the buyer and you will have to issue a refund.  You can also use the 'Report Buyer' option in Orders if they are defrauding you.  It's possible that the buyer has done this before. 

[iminbus_18]

Thank you everyone for your help.. I get what you are saying. So I could by a brand new $5000  laptop from a seller, then claim they sent me a used item and I could get the money I spent on the purchase returned and keep the new item I received? I would never do anything such as this. To think others can and get away with it is sad. It's criminal behavior and it can't be stopped.. Wow!

[gator08041971]

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@iminbus_18 wrote:

Seriously? What do I need help with?

I'm being ripped off... Hello!

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No need to get offended.

This is part of the risk of doing sales here on eBay.  The buyers can scam you, the sellers can scam them, there have been a lot of things like this going on.

The way you handle it is pretty much what everyone has been telling you.

Fighting it head on, won't work for you.

And you have a limited time to deal with it.  Do NOT let eBay resolve it for you, as you will not only lose the funds and an item, but also get a defect on your selling account.

I would straight up issue a return label and have them return it.  Even if they ship the bad one to you.  Once you have it, you can even compare the SN on the box to the one on the unit.  And even with that info, eBay may still rule in their favor.

It sucks, but there are bad buyers out there that will take advantage whenever they can.  And if eBay won't do it for them, often the card they purchased it with can. (chargebacks)

If you return it, depending on your seller level or something, you (might) have the option to do a partial refund if the item is not as described.  But keep the control of the situation. Don't let eBay do it for you automatically.

Good luck.

[iminbus_18]

I will give you any brand new item if you just send me your old one!

They never teach this in the business management or marketing classes I've taken in college!!!