Buyer return requested

[sirdidymus37]

Buyer is requesting a return on a recently received item.  Item was sold as brand new and sealed (which it was).  Buyer is claiming there's a tear in the packaging of the video game and claiming I deceived them by not mentioning this tear in the description field. I did not see any tear (thus nothing to mention in the description) and I do not see the tear in the pictures they're sending back. Buyer is claiming they can see the tear in the pictures I have in my auction.  So if I'm not seeing this tear, and further if they're able to see the tear in the pictures and video I have listed for the item (I always put up a video as well for this exact purpose, to a potential buyer can see exactly what they're buying) .. that is not deception.  

I don't know what my options are.  I reached out to Ebay.  The representative said I can either choose not to process the refund, in which case I keep the funds but the buyer can leave negative feedback.  I'm not worried about one negative feedback because no matter how many perfect transactions one has, there's always going to be that buyer that will be a victim and ruin things even if having to embellish in attempt to make their point.

However, I'm torn because I want the buyer to be satisified but I know the package was sent as described.  Ebay is telling me that if i accept the return, if the game is returned in worse condition than it was originally shipped, then ebay refunds the buyer and my account will not be charged, I'm just not sure if I believe that.

This sucks because it feels like any buyer can claim anything they want and as a seller I have limited protections available to me.  Anyone have any experience with this?

[aproudparent2010]

If they open an item not as described reason for a return then you cannot deny them a refund.

[albertabrightalberta · Accepted solution]

---

@tarotfindsandmore wrote:

Just accept the return, prorate the refund if warranted (and allowed by eBay), and report the buyer for abusing the returns policy...again, if warranted.  Avoid getting eBay involved, and request a feedback revision if/when the need arises.  Relist for free when you have the item in hand.  

Whatever you do, do not refund a single penny until you have the return in your possession.

---

@sirdidymus37 cannot prorate the refund because there's no return policy offered by the seller. 

As for the tear that the buyer claims, could it be this, as shown in the enlarged picture of the lower left? It looks like it starts on the side and extends inward. 

Another unsolicited piece of advice: I never leave a retailer's price sticker on an item when the price is considerably lower than a buyer will pay for it. Too many buyers don't think sellers should profit and have hissy fits when they see that you only paid $10.

[afrench11]

Just accept the return. It's not worth it. Ebay's just gonna screw you over anyhow and force you to if you don't.

Trust me.

[sirdidymus37]

I don't mind your advice, I appreciate it.  It's a case of "can't win for losing" though.  I don't remove the tags because I don't want to do anything to interfere with the exact condition the game is in when I sell.  

[aproudparent2010]

---

@transtraders wrote:

If it was the Clocktower 3 game you recently sold, in your video, the bottom "flap" of the seal appears to be loose(hanging). I can see it in the video when you flip the game around. Not sure I would describe that as a "tear" but I know game collectors are pretty picky about such things.

---

Yeah I see that too. Looks loose to me also

[pikabo-icu]

@albertabrightalberta 

DANG!   As my grandma would've said: "you could spot a gnats  ass on the back of an elephant" LOL.

I saw that as just a flaw in the plastic.

I still don't think it should be eligible as NAD but I know eBay will side with the buyer..

Nice catch! You're my hero errr heroine.  

[sirdidymus37]

Thank you.  That's helpful.  So hard being a seller lol, giving honest descriptions, going through the trouble of adding videos in hopes to avoid issues like this, but I guess that's the nature of selling on ebay, there's always going to be buyers that will find something to be unhappy about and as I'm reading in pretty much every reply, ebay will cater more to the buyers than the sellers so that's the world we play in, I guess.  I've accepted the return request.  Thank you.

[sirdidymus37]

Me too lol, 100% with everything you wrote but oh well, the prevailing thought seems to be that ebay will ultimately side with the buyer so I went ahead and accept the "return request".  Can't win for losing lol

[pikabo-icu]

---

@sirdidymus37 wrote:

Me too lol, 100% with everything you wrote but oh well, the prevailing thought seems to be that ebay will ultimately side with the buyer so I went ahead and accept the "return request".  Can't win for losing lol

---

@sirdidymus37 

Sadly it's the only thing you could do.

Good Luck!  I pray you get your game back and can relist it.

It will sell again.

Just disclose the MINOR tear/flaw in the cellophane. 

CHEERS

[johnrj1226]

---

@sirdidymus37 wrote:

Buyer is requesting a return on a recently received item.  Item was sold as brand new and sealed (which it was).  Buyer is claiming there's a tear in the packaging of the video game and claiming I deceived them by not mentioning this tear in the description field. I did not see any tear (thus nothing to mention in the description) and I do not see the tear in the pictures they're sending back. Buyer is claiming they can see the tear in the pictures I have in my auction.  So if I'm not seeing this tear, and further if they're able to see the tear in the pictures and video I have listed for the item (I always put up a video as well for this exact purpose, to a potential buyer can see exactly what they're buying) .. that is not deception.  

I don't know what my options are.  I reached out to Ebay.  The representative said I can either choose not to process the refund, in which case I keep the funds but the buyer can leave negative feedback.  I'm not worried about one negative feedback because no matter how many perfect transactions one has, there's always going to be that buyer that will be a victim and ruin things even if having to embellish in attempt to make their point.

However, I'm torn because I want the buyer to be satisified but I know the package was sent as described.  Ebay is telling me that if i accept the return, if the game is returned in worse condition than it was originally shipped, then ebay refunds the buyer and my account will not be charged, I'm just not sure if I believe that.

This sucks because it feels like any buyer can claim anything they want and as a seller I have limited protections available to me.  Anyone have any experience with this?

If  the buyer has not yet opened a case thru eBay Call the buyers bluff - send   them an eBay message and say these  three words Return for Refund on  no more repeat the  same over and over.  Don't commuicat via your personal eBail only thru eBay messages..  The may just fade away.  Had simiar events like you had  -  and did what Iam recommending.  The  went Poof.

Personal never had 1   Item returned for not as describe - had a few remorse retruns like wanted a Whiter shade of pale (my lol moment).  "Whiter Shade of Pale" was a real song title in my yesteryears.- '67 & out of college  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJxpKlTID2Q

[transtraders]

I definitely wouldn't remove tags from sealed games, risk damaging the seal. Also, sometimes original store tags actually ADD value to the item, like BlockBuster for example.

[sirdidymus37]

Yes, absolutely, 100% !!

Thanks

[kensgiftshop]

---

@sirdidymus37 wrote:

However, I'm torn because I want the buyer to be satisified but I know the package was sent as described.  Ebay is telling me that if i accept the return, if the game is returned in worse condition than it was originally shipped, then ebay refunds the buyer and my account will not be charged, I'm just not sure if I believe that.

---

They told you a load of bull.

The item might have been shipped in the condition you stated, but that doesn't mean it arrived in that condition.

If they filed an INAD, you have two options.

Refund and let them keep the item.

Accept the return, pay return shipping and give a full refund when something is returned.

Any refund will come from your account, not Ebay.