Drop Shipper

[christworks]

Recently I sold an item to a drop shipper. The drop shipper messaged me that their buyer says the item isn't working properly. The drop shipper admitted they knew it was working properly as I included a video in the listing. I also tested it again before I boxed it up. It was well-packaged, and my understanding there was no damage to the box. There is really no reason why the item shouldn't be working correctly. I did a search of the images from my listing and found where the item was sold on another platform, presumably by my buyer. 

Do drop shippers lose buyer protection? I've seen conflicting information and cannot find any eBay articles that address this subject specifically.  I have never had any issues with drop shippers. I don't mind if someone buys from me after they have sold it elsewhere for more. I get what I want out of it. In my mind, there has always been this unwritten rule. If there are any issues with the end buyer, the drop shipper handles it and takes the loss. What I do not want is to take a loss here. This was shipped FedEx, and without any physical damage to the box or to the item, I suspect it will be hard for me to prove it was damaged in transit. Even the drop shipper does not seem to know if there is any physical damage as they do not have the item in their possession. 

Thank you in advance for your thoughts. 

[wastingtime101]

The drop shipper has buyer protections because you shipped direct to their buyer.

If you shipped to someone who then reshipped to the buyer that would be a different story.

This is essentially the same as me buying an item and having the order shipped direct to Uncle Bob at checkout, then Uncle Bob said it arrived broken so the return ship label is from Bob back to you. I am never part of the shipping equation.

[lakefor94]

Same as any other transaction.  If the DS opens a Return case,  respond to the case like any other case.

Nothing much to speculate on unless they open a case.

If the buyer opens a Item Is Not As Described type return case, you have choices.

1. You can refund the buyer right away and let the buyer keep the item. eBay refunds the final value fees on the sale to you, the seller.

2. If you want the item back before refunding, accept the return and make sure a prepaid return label is available in the return case. The buyer returns the item and then you refund in full. eBay refunds the final value fees on the sale to you, the seller.

Seller protection:
Top Rated Sellers who accept 30 day returns and Above Average rated sellers who offer free 30 day returns can do partial refunds, up to 50%, if the item is returned in a condition different than when you shipped it.

3. Do nothing, contest the case or allow eBay to handle the case, eBay will close the return, refund the buyer and allow the buyer to keep the item. You also receive a serious defect on your seller account for having eBay step in and refund, thus doing your job as a seller. And, eBay keeps the final value fees for the transaction.

Here is an eBay link with just about all you need to know.
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/handle-return-request-seller?id=4115

[ekmadonna]

How would the drop shipper know that it was working properly if he never saw or touched the item as you shipped it to his customer?

[mam98031]

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@ekmadonna wrote:

How would the drop shipper know that it was working properly if he never saw or touched the item as you shipped it to his customer?

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Likely because the buyer is reporting the issue to the seller they purchased from.

[reallynicestamps]

"I regret that you are unhappy with your purchase. Please return the item for a refund."

Rinse. Repeat.

That they resold the item is not your problem.

That their buyer will want them to pay for return shipping is not your problem.

"I regret that you are unhappy with your purchase. Please return the item for a refund."

Rinse. Repeat.

No refunds without return.

"I regret that you are unhappy with your purchase. Please return the item for a refund."

Rinse. Repeat.

[susanb1872]

The seller included a video in the listing of the item working so the drop shipper went with that information.

[reallynicestamps]

Which is not the eBay seller's problem.

If the dropshipper opens a claim on eBay, @christworks  sends a return shipping label to the address the dropshipper supplied.

When it is returned, the OP refunds their customer, the dropshipper.

Until then it is the dropshipper's problem.

"I regret that you are unhappy with your purchase. Please return the item for a refund."

Rinse. Repeat.

No refunds without return.

[christworks]

I thought about that and I see your point, but the drop shipper indicated it was because of the video. 

[reallynicestamps]

Still not your problem.

No refund without return.

[ittybitnot]

@christworks 

Did you happen to ship to a Freight Forwarder?  Drop shippers typically don't identify themselves when buying.   

Typical freight forwarders are located in (but not limited to) Delaware, S. Florida, Oregon, Texas, New York. 

Those buyers that use Freight Forwarders do forfeit their rights to benefit from a "not as described" Money Back Guarantee claim  ONLY IF THE SELLER POINTS IT OUT TO EBAY.  That is most successfully accomplished by contacting eBay via one of these portals: 

https://www.facebook.com/eBay/ (use the blue message button)

OR direct message through one of these:

https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/

https://x.com/askebay

Google the 'ship to address' and see if it is in a commercial area.  See if you got charged an "international fee", and what country the buyer is located. 

[12345jamesstamps]

You sold an item to a buyer...the buyer can open a claim not as described to the seller.

It doesn't matter who eventually received it or if it got sold over and over.

It is a sale between the seller and first buyer.

[funfactorychannel]

IF he says he was a  drop shipper. At least he is honest with it. Just treat it as any return. Would been same if a buyer buys it as a gift and the gift is broken.

If item is not working then return for refund. Drop shipper has to eat the shipping charge, thats his cost of doing his business model.

Cause end of the day, he can just file INAD and your still on the hook.

[christworks]

Update: I never heard anything back after my initial exchange with him. In my message I did state, "You did drop-ship this, didn't you?" and that apparently rattled him as he responded I "talk like scamming people is a way to make money." Oddly, I didn't mention anything about scamming people. He then went on to say he isn't doing anything wrong that he never leaves negative feed back. I told him I'd do my best to help him, but I needed photos showing the damaged packaging and a photo of the item in the condition it arrived in so I'd have that documented before it was sent back. I never heard anything else.  

I looked at the feedback he has left others. There is a pattern that seems to indicate he is getting partial refunds for many of his orders. I am thinking this is the "scam" he runs in an effort to net more on his end, and his buyer actually does not have an issue. 

Thank you for your thoughts. 

[mam98031]

That is how things typically turn out when a seller just stays polite, professional and tell a BULLY to return for refund.  They don't want to do that.  They want you to cave and agree to give them a partial refund.  I don't cave to bullies.

You did a terrific job with this transaction.  Congratulations.