Buyer wants to return item to me without going through ebay

[optimum_4]

I had a buyer who purchased a non expensive item. He wants to return it but said he cant figure out how to return it through the ebay page. He is asking for my address so that he can send the item back. Im not worried about a scam as this is only a $10 item, but does messaging someone my address so they can return the item violate any ebay policies?

[emerald40]

Sounds like he may have opened too many cases and wants to stay off of ebay's radar.

Explani to him on how to do it and send him a link to ebay's pages.  If he can figure out how to buy he can figure out how to return.

I would do it on ebay only because off of ebay how can you prove you refunded him?

[green-night]

 Im not worried about a scam as this is only a $10 item, but does messaging someone my address so they can return the item violate any ebay policies?

Sending a buyer your address does not violate any policy.  It is perfectly fine. 

[slippinjimmy]

You can prove it because the original payment would show that it was refunded!

That said, it's easist to have the buyer open a return request, that way your eBay fees are also refunded.

[lex-talon]

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@optimum_4 wrote:

I had a buyer who purchased a non expensive item. He wants to return it but said he cant figure out how to return it through the ebay page. He is asking for my address so that he can send the item back. Im not worried about a scam as this is only a $10 item, but does messaging someone my address so they can return the item violate any ebay policies?

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Giving out your address is a no no. Walk the buyer through the return process thru ebay, step by step. I'm sure they can figure it out.

[emerald40]

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@slippinjimmy wrote:

You can prove it because the original payment would show that it was refunded!

That said, it's easist to have the buyer open a return request, that way your eBay fees are also refunded.

 _____________________________________________________

How would you refund - through your paypal account?

So does that mean buyer cannot come back file SNAD, and ask for another refund?

Do you get your fees back that way?

[myboardid]

If you refund withoutgoing through the eBay return process, you will get a defect for "out of stock", unless you send the moeny back via "friends & family", or whatever it is called. 

[alcoforever]

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@lex-talon wrote:

Giving out your address is a no no. Walk the buyer through the return process thru ebay, step by step. I'm sure they can figure it out.

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Not true.   Giving out an address after the sale is OK.   It is only before sale that an address is a no-no.

[lorieannm]

They already have your address from the sale. Although I personally would go through ebay. You can direct them on the process. If the buyer is emailing you through ebay - ebay can read ALL messages. In order for you to get your final value fees back you need go through ebay. You really don't know if it is a simple honest request or another invented scam going on. I understand its a small cost item but I also believe everything should go through ebay and abide by rules & regulations they provide.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

The return address is on the package and/or the packing slip. He does not have to go through eBay. Sending and address via eBay messages is risky, but I've experienced no problem doing so. ~~C~~

[ed8108]

 Wouldn't both your name and address appear upon the mailing package ?

[emerald40]

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@myboardid wrote:

If you refund withoutgoing through the eBay return process, you will get a defect for "out of stock", unless you send the moeny back via "friends & family", or whatever it is called. 

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That is exactly what I thought.

And then if you do it through friends and family where you are hiding it from ebay, how do you then prove to ebay that you refunded them?

[tev4all]

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@optimum_4 wrote:

I had a buyer who purchased a non expensive item. He wants to return it but said he cant figure out how to return it through the ebay page. He is asking for my address so that he can send the item back. Im not worried about a scam as this is only a $10 item, but does messaging someone my address so they can return the item violate any ebay policies?

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Since you are currently in a transaction with this buyer, IT shouldn't be an ebay violation. However if the buyer doesn't/can't figure how tdo a return request on ebay , maybe they would find IT easier on paypal. 

[missjen831]

eBay revamped the returns process. It’s terrible. I am not surprised your buyer is having difficulty. 

You wont get an OOS defect if you issue a full refund through PayPal. And you should actually be able to cancel the transaction & refund if the buyer sends the item back without going through eBay or PayPal. 

[rainbowcolorz]

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@optimum_4 wrote:

I had a buyer who purchased a non expensive item. He wants to return it but said he cant figure out how to return it through the ebay page. He is asking for my address so that he can send the item back. Im not worried about a scam as this is only a $10 item, but does messaging someone my address so they can return the item violate any ebay policies?

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@optimum_4, Tell your buyer to sign in to his/her eBay and then at the top right hand side of their screen they will see the My eBay tab.   Tell him/her to click that and in the drop-down menu select Purchase History.  Once there (at least on the old purchase history page) under the LEAVE FEEDBACK  tab there are Options -- and one of them is Return This Item.     Hopefully he will just say he changed his mine or something that doesn't make you responsible to pay for return shipping.     If this is incorrect info, hopefully someone will come along to correct me.