Dispute Question: eBay Acts Unethically

[siannaluna]

Does anyone have experience with this?

I mainly buy but have been an eBay member and have sold quite a few things over the past 10+ years. 
I recently sold a pair of (genuine) Birkenstocks that had apparently had the footbed replaced (excellent condition) and when the leather upper was reattached, they used a fabric strap instead of the typical Birkenstock "button". 
Long story sort of short: buyer decided after two weeks or more to submit a return request, accuse me of selling fake Birks then close the request and instead dispute the charge with her payment method (without giving me a chance to respond at all or accept the return).
The financial institution sided with her (of course) and now eBay wants to deduct the FULL sales price plus a ridiculous $20 dispute fee from MY bank account. They already withheld their % and I paid shipping out of the sale price, so my question is: why are they recouping the entire cost when they already withheld their %? This seems highly unethical, and they will not let me appeal the decision, so I basically have no recourse.

This has become a hellhole of fees for individuals that aren't making a business on the platform.

If you read this far, kudos. 🙂

[farmalljr]

Not a new thing, it's how it works here. Not that I agree it's right, but those are the conditions all sellers are bound to. 

[kensgiftshop]

Once they go to their payment source, the seller is pretty much screwed.

The buyer gets a full refund and it comes from the seller.

[robbie31415]

Did you do a big breakdown of events to the case ?

Making sure to bring to the attention that they opened a return and that they closed the return without returning your item?

Ebay has no control over what happens, they are just a carrier of the messages back and forth.

I have won CC chargebacks when I've shown clear evidence that the buyer violated eBays policy and violated the terms of the sale.

Basically you need to convince their bank they are trying to get free stuff.

[caldreamer]

Yes, if you dispute "chargeback" you are charged $20 fee (when you lose).

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/payment-dispute-seller-protections?id=5293&st=3&...

[marnotom!]

Chargeback fees are an industry thing.

https://www.chargebackgurus.com/blog/chargeback-fees-the-true-cost-of-your-chargebacks

[dbfolks166mt]

Did you do a big breakdown of events to the case ?

Making sure to bring to the attention that they opened a return and that they closed the return without returning your item?  

      The buyer may or may not have closed the eBay return request. At one time if there was an eBay case opened and the buyer opened a chargeback eBay automatically closed the eBay case. 

Ebay has no control over what happens, they are just a carrier of the messages back and forth.

I have won CC chargebacks when I've shown clear evidence that the buyer violated eBays policy and violated the terms of the sale.

     Would you care to provide some details, or better yet a copy of your response to a NAD chargeback that you won? I am sure a LOT of sellers would like to know the nuances of that process. For any other type of chargeback the merchant prevails about 70% of the time. 

     The financial institution cares NOTHING about eBay policies their analysis is strictly focused on the financial aspects of the transaction and the buyer receiving what they paid for. In a he said, she said much like eBay the financial institution is going to side with the buyer. 

Basically you need to convince their bank they are trying to get free stuff. 

     Again I for one would be interested in exactly how you have managed to do that. 

[lamber9347]

@siannaluna What's important for you to take away is that you didn't do anything wrong here. This is how online selling from one individual to another individual works. This is simply a platform that puts buyers and sellers in contact, that's all. Buyer has 30 days to return the shoes for a full refund, that's how it works. Buyer isn't obligated to contact you first, that's how it works. Buyer doesn't have to wait for you to accept the return, that's how it works. Buyer is allowed to accuse you of selling fake Birks, that's how it works (this isn't a court of law and they aren't using your real name). Buyer is allowed to dispute the charge with her payment method, that's how it works. Once you understand the platform is set up to favor the buyer with a money back guarantee, you will not struggle as much because you did nothing wrong and that's just how it works when selling online from one individual to another. Best of luck to you....

[slippinjimmy]

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@siannaluna wrote:

Does anyone have experience with this?

I mainly buy but have been an eBay member and have sold quite a few things over the past 10+ years. 
I recently sold a pair of (genuine) Birkenstocks that had apparently had the footbed replaced (excellent condition) and when the leather upper was reattached, they used a fabric strap instead of the typical Birkenstock "button". 
Long story sort of short: buyer decided after two weeks or more to submit a return request, accuse me of selling fake Birks then close the request and instead dispute the charge with her payment method (without giving me a chance to respond at all or accept the return).
The financial institution sided with her (of course) and now eBay wants to deduct the FULL sales price plus a ridiculous $20 dispute fee from MY bank account. They already withheld their % and I paid shipping out of the sale price, so my question is: why are they recouping the entire cost when they already withheld their %? This seems highly unethical, and they will not let me appeal the decision, so I basically have no recourse.

This has become a hellhole of fees for individuals that aren't making a business on the platform.

If you read this far, kudos. 🙂

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Now you know that when you list something that has been modified you need to reveal that in your listing.

FYI - When a buyer opens an Not As Described claim you are normally refunded your fees paid IF you voluntarily take care of it. When you dispute the claim and lose then fees are not refunded.