Defect policy is now insane!!

[0riginalfeet]

I have sold on eBay for nearly 10 years now, I don't see how these current changes aren't going to severely damage sellers, and the overall marketplace.

 For example how horrible this new system is,

I had a customer open a return request for item not fitting, which is fine I have 30 day free returns. The problem was package was delayed in returning back to me. By the time eBay sent the warnings to refund the customer, the system automatically stepped in and placed the return case on hold because the package was still not returned.

It gets returned back during this process, and then the buyer gets refunded at the expiry of the claim. I get a defect in the process! I get a defect for not refunding the customer before I received the package back. It's a complete JOKE!

[inhawaii]

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@0riginalfeet wrote:

I have sold on eBay for nearly 10 years now, I don't see how these current changes aren't going to severely damage sellers, and the overall marketplace.

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What current changes?

[hartungcards]

I think maybe the OP was referring to the current climate changes.

[inhawaii]

I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THESE CURRENT CHANGES!

[chapeau-noir]

eBay doesn't require refund before receipt of package, and as it has the tracking number, it will track the package to delivery back to you.

[hartungcards]

Well, you may want to know about these current changes, but I have a structured settlement and I need cash now.

[gurlcat]

Yall are TOO hilarious tonight.  

[free.deal]

My experience is that if the returned package doesn't get delivered by expected delivery date for certain amount of time (7 days?), the system will assume the package is delivered, and buyer can ask eBay to step in to force refund and seller will get a defect.

[gurlcat]

For anyone who is interested, here's another (ongoing) case like the OP's.  

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Return-never-arrived/m-p/34537807#M2419820 

[mam98031]

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@free.deal wrote:

My experience is that if the returned package doesn't get delivered by expected delivery date for certain amount of time (7 days?), the system will assume the package is delivered, and buyer can ask eBay to step in to force refund and seller will get a defect.

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That is different.  The package was shipped.  Just as packages you ship out, you are responsible for them until they reach the address on the label.  When you have a return and issue the return label, once the buyer puts it in the carrier's hands, you are responsible for it because you are the shipper.

[mam98031]

@0riginalfeet 

What "current changes" are you referring to please???

Did you issue a return shipping label for the buyer?

Did the buyer give the package to the Carrier and it is just delayed in route?

You may want to read this as it likely applies for you.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Return-never-arrived/m-p/34529986#M2417546

[ed8108]

Dear seller

Insanity is now running rampant & spreading like a virus, it's permeating every facet of our lives.

Happy 2024 selling

[vintagecraze50]

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@mam98031 wrote:

@0riginalfeet 

What "current changes" are you referring to please???

Did you issue a return shipping label for the buyer?

Did the buyer give the package to the Carrier and it is just delayed in route?

You may want to read this as it likely applies for you.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Return-never-arrived/m-p/34529986#M2417546

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Good post. Yes, if the item still has not arrived back and the due date to refund is there you must do the refund before ebay steps in and does it. Then, go on the do a package research case with USPS and get that package moving back to you.

[ittybitnot]

eBay doesn't require refund before receipt of package

@chapeau-noir 

Apparently, they do now.  eBay will do it for you 'since you should have received it by now'.  The parcel need not be scanned as "delivered" anymore. 

[spreadlovelikefire]

The new AI system will send out a guess as to when the item should arrive by.  I've had this happen a couple times recently.  The item will still be in transit and the system will tell the seller "your item should have arrived, you need to refund the buyer".  You go into tracking, a tracking number provided through eBay purchase label, and it shows in transit.  If you do not refund by the 3 days, even if the item hasn't arrived, the system will give you a defect.  

Now, I've called and chatted with eBay and they are aware how this is not fair and it goes against their policy.  So what they've done for me is either place the item on hold until it gets delivered or I have to call and have them remove the defect once it's actually delivered.  In the mean time, it's a bunch of wasted time trying to solve an issue that shouldn't be happening.  Also, if you have free returns and you do not get the item back as sent, you are not able to reduce any refund when it's placed on a hold.  That would also require you call them.  

This only happens when the postal service takes longer than 7 days to deliver the returned item but it shows the buyer has shipped it back.  Not sure why they set up the system to do this but it needs to be changed considering that I'm purchasing the return label through eBay and they an see the scans.