Buyer return switcharoo

[bigdeals.etc]

For those of you who noticed, yes I am getting an increase of odd buyer issues lately.

A buyer bought a Yellow item over a month ago and received it back then. He comes back and buys a red version of the same item. He files a SNAD on the red version but is wanting to return the yellow one because there is something on the item he realized he doesn't like. I suspect he didn't file a return for the correct Yellow one because it is passed the 30 day return window and buyer MBG.

I know I have to accept the return, but once I get it back and confirm that it is in fact the Yellow item... would you issue the refund? After all, I'm sure it's been worn for a month now.

[dtexley3]

Report the buyer for Abuse under the new policies.  Call eBay CS and argue that the member SHOULD NOT be allowed to return EITHER for refund as they are trying to circumvent the MBG.

[ersatz_sobriquet]

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@bigdeals.etc wrote:

For those of you who noticed, yes I am getting an increase of odd buyer issues lately.

A buyer bought a Yellow item over a month ago and received it back then. He comes back and buys a red version of the same item. He files a SNAD on the red version but is wanting to return the yellow one because there is something on the item he realized he doesn't like. I suspect he didn't file a return for the correct Yellow one because it is passed the 30 day return window and buyer MBG.

I know I have to accept the return, but once I get it back and confirm that it is in fact the Yellow item... would you issue the refund? After all, I'm sure it's been worn for a month now.

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texley has an optimistic idea I might try, just watch out for that "escalation you lose policy". 

return the yellow one because there is something on the item he realized he doesn't like.

Probably the spaghetti sauce he spilled on it last week...groan....

[bigdeals.etc]

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@ersatz_sobriquet wrote:

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return the yellow one because there is something on the item he realized he doesn't like.

Probably the spaghetti sauce he spilled on it last week...groan....

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Maybe that's why he bought the Red one this time.

[jeannicho22]

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@bigdeals.etc wrote:

For those of you who noticed, yes I am getting an increase of odd buyer issues lately.

A buyer bought a Yellow item over a month ago and received it back then. He comes back and buys a red version of the same item. He files a SNAD on the red version but is wanting to return the yellow one because there is something on the item he realized he doesn't like. I suspect he didn't file a return for the correct Yellow one because it is passed the 30 day return window and buyer MBG.

I know I have to accept the return, but once I get it back and confirm that it is in fact the Yellow item... would you issue the refund? After all, I'm sure it's been worn for a month now.

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OK, this is just getting ridiculous.  Buyer is actually admitting they are not returning what was sold.  @Anonymous

alan@ebay 

Is there any way you can help this member?  We get it, we have to accept returns, but this buyer is admitting they are abusing the MBG before it is even returned.

[coffeebean832]

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@bigdeals.etc wrote:

A buyer bought a Yellow item over a month ago and received it back then. He comes back and buys a red version of the same item. He files a SNAD on the red version but is wanting to return the yellow one because there is something on the item he realized he doesn't like. I suspect he didn't file a return for the correct Yellow one because it is passed the 30 day return window and buyer MBG.

I know I have to accept the return, but once I get it back and confirm that it is in fact the Yellow item... would you issue the refund? After all, I'm sure it's been worn for a month now.

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How did he communicate that to you? Tell him the yellow one is past your return window but you're happy to accept the red one if he no longer wants it. Then wait to see what you get back.

You offer free returns so you can deduct part of the refund if he sends back the wrong item- hopefully in the same condition you sent it.

[jeannicho22]

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@jeannicho22 wrote:

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@bigdeals.etc wrote:

For those of you who noticed, yes I am getting an increase of odd buyer issues lately.

A buyer bought a Yellow item over a month ago and received it back then. He comes back and buys a red version of the same item. He files a SNAD on the red version but is wanting to return the yellow one because there is something on the item he realized he doesn't like. I suspect he didn't file a return for the correct Yellow one because it is passed the 30 day return window and buyer MBG.

I know I have to accept the return, but once I get it back and confirm that it is in fact the Yellow item... would you issue the refund? After all, I'm sure it's been worn for a month now.

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OK, this is just getting ridiculous.  Buyer is actually admitting they are not returning what was sold.  @Anonymous

alan@ebay 

Is there any way you can help this member?  We get it, we have to accept returns, but this buyer is admitting they are abusing the MBG before it is even returned.

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Gosh, I'm surprised one of the blues never responded.  I know I saw them on the boards today.

[jeannicho22]

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@coffeebean832 wrote:

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@bigdeals.etc wrote:

A buyer bought a Yellow item over a month ago and received it back then. He comes back and buys a red version of the same item. He files a SNAD on the red version but is wanting to return the yellow one because there is something on the item he realized he doesn't like. I suspect he didn't file a return for the correct Yellow one because it is passed the 30 day return window and buyer MBG.

I know I have to accept the return, but once I get it back and confirm that it is in fact the Yellow item... would you issue the refund? After all, I'm sure it's been worn for a month now.

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How did he communicate that to you? Tell him the yellow one is past your return window but you're happy to accept the red one if he no longer wants it. Then wait to see what you get back.

You offer free returns so you can deduct part of the refund if he sends back the wrong item- hopefully in the same condition you sent it.

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The problem is that once the return is accepted, it doesn't matter if they return used kitty litter.

[bigdeals.etc]

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@coffeebean832 wrote:

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@bigdeals.etc wrote:

A buyer bought a Yellow item over a month ago and received it back then. He comes back and buys a red version of the same item. He files a SNAD on the red version but is wanting to return the yellow one because there is something on the item he realized he doesn't like. I suspect he didn't file a return for the correct Yellow one because it is passed the 30 day return window and buyer MBG.

I know I have to accept the return, but once I get it back and confirm that it is in fact the Yellow item... would you issue the refund? After all, I'm sure it's been worn for a month now.

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How did he communicate that to you? Tell him the yellow one is past your return window but you're happy to accept the red one if he no longer wants it. Then wait to see what you get back.

You offer free returns so you can deduct part of the refund if he sends back the wrong item- hopefully in the same condition you sent it.

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He provided photos of the item when he filed and they were photos of the yellow item.

[bigdeals.etc]

You know after thinking about it, there's a chance the buyer can simply just be totally oblivious about eBay's returns policy. The two items they bought is from the same listing... but two different variations at two different times. 

There could be a slight chance that they just saw their purchases on a page. That page may or may not have shown the variation. I know there are some pages on eBay that just show the listing and ID/title itself without showing the chosen variation (and yes those pages frustrate the feces out of me). Not knowing the return window, the buyer may have just chosen the purchase that still allowed a return to be filed (the only one within 30 days).

I don't know... just a thought. Doesn't change the fact that there will be issues if the buyer returns the yellow one.

[wastingtime101]

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@bigdeals.etc wrote:

Doesn't change the fact that there will be issues if the buyer returns the yellow one.

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Sorry to sound ignorant here, but can you explain why there will be issues?

From what I can tell, you have multi-variation listings with large quantity that's frequently replenished. Yes, the yellow is past the return window, but if that color is still part of your variation listing, then what's the difference if they send it back a little late? Accept the return and up the stock level when you get it back.

I'm not condoning the buyer's behavior and I understand why it's annoying to deal with someone who may be skirting the return policy rules (or maybe they're just oblivious as you posted above). But if it's an item you still sell and if it comes back in the same new condition as when you shipped it... then why will it cause issues?

Were the 2 colors different prices? Even if the red was more expensive that shouldn't matter. You offer free returns so you can issue a partial refund for the amount the buyer paid for the yellow item and you'll be protected from negative feedback.

I understand the principle of the situation and why you may not want to accept the return. I don't understand where the issues come in because of your big multi quantity listings.

[bigdeals.etc]

Not all of my listings are frequently replenished. Unfortunately this item is one of those listings. It's an item that I have discontinued. My issues will be when I fail to issue a full refund to the buyer. I do not believe that a domestic buyer should be allowed to return anything passed the return window of 30 days, regardless of the reason. One month is more than enough time for a buyer to just initiate a return. Ebay seems to think this too based on their MBG duration. And like you said, I know you agree and don't condone this buyer's behavior of sidestepping this policy. Allowing such a return is basically allowing a buyer to rent the item for an infinite amount of time. He could have easily bought the Red item one year later and pulled this switch.

There is also the issue with the "cleanup." Not honoring a full refund may upset the buyer to take some action. Yes, they can leave feedback on the Red item (which can be removed given I take the time and call eBay and point out the policy in regards to refunds). No one likes to call eBay. I should be protected on that one feedback. But what about the original Yellow purchase that has no return tied to it at all? If the buyer leaves a negative for the purchase, it will be more difficult and probably not possible to remove... since there is no protection policy in place for that. It'd have to be dependent on the details... the verbiage of the comment, and the willingness of the agent. That adds more unnecessary work. And that uncertain success is something I am not comfortable gambling with unless necessary. Add in the lost return and outgoing shipping costs to the mix for a purchase that should be unreturnable, and you got yourself a few issues to deal with. Not to mention what can happen within PayPal too. I know all of these are unlikely to happen all at once, but these are all of the issues and some are still likely to happen.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

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@bigdeals.etc wrote:

For those of you who noticed, yes I am getting an increase of odd buyer issues lately.

A buyer bought a Yellow item over a month ago and received it back then. He comes back and buys a red version of the same item. He files a SNAD on the red version but is wanting to return the yellow one because there is something on the item he realized he doesn't like. I suspect he didn't file a return for the correct Yellow one because it is passed the 30 day return window and buyer MBG.

I know I have to accept the return, but once I get it back and confirm that it is in fact the Yellow item... would you issue the refund? After all, I'm sure it's been worn for a month now.

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Hi @bigdeals.etc, if the buyer is stating in messages that they intend to return a different item, you should contact Customer Service to have this addressed. This would be a violation of our Money back Guarantee program and we can take action to resolve this for you based on these messages.

[bigdeals.etc]

Okay thanks again Trinton.

[bigdeals.etc]

So here's hopefully a final update. I was too lazy to call CS about this and just monitored it since the buyer hasn't sent it back yet. Their return window passed on Monday. I was set to call ebay on Tuesday to close it out since the buyer hasn't sent the item back yet. But I see the buyer closed the return out himself. The reason for closing is shown as "Other."

So now I'm wondering about the buyer's intentions. Did they just do that in order to save their ability to leave me a negative feedback?? The fact that the buyer never sent the item back and closed the return on their own leads me to believe that he was bluffing this entire time for either a full refund buyer keeps item, or a partial refund. And since I didn't budge on either, the buyer wanted to at least keep the ability to leave feedback. Am I just being paranoid?

I recall before this SNAD that he filed, he messaged a lot about little nitpicky things about the item he received. Something like he didn't like how the interior of the clothing looked. The INTERIOR... a place where absolutely no one looks at when you are wearing the item... unless you're like a stripper or something. I'll definitely be BBLing this guy and reporting them to ebay.