eBay

lrn_8734 · ‎03-06-2021

So i sold a ps5 a few weeks ago and now the buyer wants to return the item because he states the bottom of the ps5 was opened. I sent the item unopened. I also noticed that as soon as i sold it to the buyer he listed it for a much higher price, he even used one of my photos for his listing!

He never contacted me about the issue in the 2 weeks he has had it, he went directly to filling a return. I wrote him a message asking for more info on the ps5 since i sent it in new condition.

Truth is the ps5 box's are very frail so it is possible that the bottom could have gotten snagged while he took the ps5 out of the box but in no way could it be opened.

Its been 4 days and still no reply back to work this issue out. I had no returns listed and have a recent history of no issues selling gaming consoles.

Any advice on what i should do? i feel he is abusing the ebay return policy because his listing has not sold (its still up for sale btw) and he wants to get his money back, but if he opened it i dont want an opened ps5 either.

What happens if he never replies back and the time to agree to a return or partial refund expires? right now i have a hold on my payments but i dont want ebay going into my banking account without my knowledge.

mtgraves7984 · ‎03-06-2021

Since your buyer has opened a Return, you need to approve it quickly. 'No Returns' and no refunds are two different things. Approve the Return, send the buyer a return shipping label and wait to refund your buyer until your item gets back to you . If you don't approve it, eBay will force the refund and your buyer might not be required to return anything... plus, your Seller Metrics take a hit.

For what it's worth, I find that if an item sells once, it will again. Get your ps5 back to resell. Good luck to you.

lrn_8734 · ‎03-06-2021

what happens in the situation that he removed the ps5 or even worse sends me something entirely different?

Sorry this is my first time dealing with this issue.

mtgraves7984 · ‎03-06-2021

@lrn_8734 wrote:
what happens in the situation that he removed the ps5 or even worse sends me something entirely different?

Sorry this is my first time dealing with this issue.

@lrn_8734

You'll feel just as violated as every seller this has happened to. I wish I could offer a better 'worse case scenario', but there's not one. Don't worry about that bridge until you get there. That's all I got. Godspeed.

lrn_8734 · ‎03-06-2021

**bleep**, i thought the seller would then have some protection to hold the refund until they received the item.

lamber9347 · ‎03-06-2021

@lrn_8734 wrote:
**bleep**, i thought the seller would then have some protection to hold the refund until they received the item.

No that's not how this platform works. As you are a new seller you really need to spend some time reading the TOS so that you can fully understand how returns work here. This platform offers a MBG to all buyers. Your own no returns policy is superseded by eBay’s return policy in the TOS. Unless this is a buyer’s remorse type of return you will have to refund. Once the buyer selects INAD you will have to pay for the return shipping or eBay will deduct it from your account, regardless of what you stated in your own listing.

Yes your funds will be taken out of your account. Even if he sends you his old dirty sneakers instead, you still have to fully refund. You can then take the buyer to small claims court, but you'd have to file in the buyer's home state. Selling online is full of risks. Most sales go without issues but electronics are heavily targeted by scammers. You are choosing to sell an item that typically attracts scammers.

Watch the timeline because if you don't refund eBay will do it for you plus charge you an additional $20 fee for having to get involved. You will also receive a demerit on your selling account. Perhaps buyer will return the damaged PS5 and you can repair it for sell it for less and at a minimum get something back. Best of luck to you....

lrn_8734 · ‎03-06-2021

I was looking at the refund page and under return it states

"You pay for shipping and can send our return label or your own. Wait to get the item back before you refund the buyer."

So shouldnt i be protected once i get the item back since i dont refund the buyer until i can check the item?

I have another ebay account actually, have been selling one here since 2003, just not heavily.

ittybitnot · ‎03-07-2021

So shouldnt i be protected once i get the item back since i dont refund the buyer until i can check the item?

You can check it all you want, but it doesn't matter what you get back. You have to refund anyway in the time allowed, or ebay will use YOUR money and do it for you. If you get something back other than what you sent, you can then file an appeal. You will lose that, too.

There is no seller protection for 'item not as described' issues or 'faulty returns'.

@lrn_8734

farmalljr · ‎03-07-2021

Just to be blunt, you are under no such "protection". The buyer has to send "an" item back, or they forfeit the return. If they send the console, you are doing good. If they send you old shoes, you STILL have to give them 100% of the money back.

eBay sides with the buyers in nearly 100% of the cases. There are no real "protections" other than a buyer being honest. Most are good and honest, some are the opposite.

There are NO such things as no returns and no refunds here. You will be doing well to learn that.

patd3283 · ‎03-07-2021

I don't know which mod I p*ss*d off but my replies are getting removed. 😞

Suggest the following:

- file a police report with your local police. Get a number.

-file a police report with buyer's police (in their town.) Get a number.

-file an ic3 report (internet crime.) Get a number.

-file a loss package claim with USPS. Include a link to their employee using your item. Get a number.

Keep all numbers and use them to file a claim with eBay.

Good luck.

lrn_8734 · ‎03-07-2021

thank you, i understand that sellers have less power in these situations but your information is appreciated.

lrn_8734 · ‎03-07-2021

its just weird that the buyer refuses to respond to me on the situation. They do have a decent size store and have been selling on ebay for 10 years. i just hope im worrying more then i need to be.

lrn_8734 · ‎03-07-2021

The situation is ended with the buyer now receiving a nice size partial refund for what probably was a made up issue. I have been on ebay since 2003 and i always thought if i was going to be scammed it would be by a low feedback ebayer, not someone with over 10,000 feedback.

mtgraves7984 · ‎03-08-2021

@lrn_8734

Awww... sorry to hear this. You give the buyer a partial refund and the buyer has your PS5 to resell. At least the decision is made and you can worry about other things. Hang in there!

lrn_8734 · ‎03-08-2021

I figured $100 was worth no stress about the situation over the next month.

In the end there is no way he will be able to flip the ps5 for a profit, so there is that. Just an all around weird situation, but i do feel this seller has done this before. he was very sparse with his replies and words.