Does seller have to pay for return shipping when nothing wrong other than buyer remorse?

[greenacresks]

I am a small time / occasional seller.   I have "no returns" on all items I sell.   I recently sold an item that was clearly shown in listing photos as being a new open box item.  Buyer wanted a refund because they said item was not new and had been taken out of box.  I think either they did not read and view photos, or just had buyers remorse.  I offered a partial refund just to bring matter to a close - buyer never responded back to me.  I asked ebay to step in, and they just told me they will send buyer a return shipping label, but I (seller) will be charged for the return shipping costs.  I don't understand why I have to pay for return shipping when buyer did not make any type of "case" as to why item was not listed accurately.  - is this normal ebay policy that the seller has to pay for return shipping just because a buyer is not happy?

[sunnysouth1]

"they said item was not new and had been taken out of box."

The buyer claimed the item was not new and when that happens eBay will force a return and a refund. Because eBay had to do this you received a defect.

Your no returns policy will not work when a buyer claims the item is not as described. eBay will almost always favor the buyer in these cases.

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

New on eBay means something different than it does to some people. In some categories it requires an unopened box. What does it say under item condition in the eBay blurb at the top of your listing?

[labs118]

They claimed Item not as described more then likely because of your no returns policy it may hurt you much more, buyers will claim this so they can return and don't have to pay.
As long as they request the return with the item having any issues on list below from Doesn't work or defective down to bottom the seller has to accept and pay for the label or refund and let them keep it.
They have the ebay MBG 


https://pages.ebay.com/ebay-money-back-guarantee/

[couldabeenworse]

I asked ebay to step in

The only way eBay can charge the return shipping to the buyer is if the buyer requests a return and gives a remorse reason.   In addition, eBay no longer attempts to determine whether or not the buyer's "it's not new" statement is correct; they just presume the buyer is telling the truth.

Given that, eBay's only remaining option when you asked them to step in was to allow the return and have seller pay return shipping.

[labs118]

Sorry also wanted to add that for items like the ice tea maker even if it is new you are better to select New other if it is available in your category  & Then add opened for pictures only , or New open box  
I just sold an unused Train car didn't have the option to select New other in that category so I did select Used but in Title & description wrote opened Unused

You really have to try to cover all angles 

[buyselljack2016]

Your listings have serious problems.

Besides as others have posted about calling it "NEW" when it should be "New (Other)" for open boxes, your listings are showing all the "About this product" info which would pertain to the complete unit, and not the "just some parts of it" that you are selling.

I know it is explained when reading, but that is where problems come in. Some buyers don't read, and even if they do things have to match up.

All the info has to match up.

Shouldn't list new, but opened and not used.

Shouldn't list by product #, and show all the product info when that product isn't being sold. 

[greenacresks]

thanks

[greenacresks]

I don't recall, but I don't think I had the option of "new other"

[sunnysouth1]

You are welcome!

[greenacresks]

looks like ebay does tend to side quite heavily on what buyer claims

[greenacresks]

OK - thanks

[greenacresks]

As I recall, I was not given choice of "new / other" on this item - thanks for suggestions

[greenacresks]

thanks - I don't think I was able to list as "new/other" - but I will double check this in future. It seems like ebay is almost requiring you to go with their official title and category

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

Given that it’s an old item I would list it as used. The box will show browsers that it’s more than a part. I buy a lot of vintage items and sellers list them as used even if they’re in mint condition