Finally got an eBay rep to explicitly state that there's no such thing as seller protection

[redline_auto_llc]

Got to love it. I'm going to write in to try to get that recording, I'd love to have that to go with my collection of returned rocks. For some context, I called in when a buyer opened a remorse return, escalated when they found out they'd have to pay return shipping, and then somehow escalated again to force the return shipping on to me along with a nice little defect.

At least the rep was honest this time, instead of giving meaningless platitudes.

@Anonymous any comment on the fact that an escalation specialist would flat out state there's no seller protection? It's something that most of us have understood for a long time, but I've got to say, it was pretty satisfying finally hearing that from an eBay rep's mouth.

[myangelandmyprincess]

I had an eBay rep tell me I could have a buyer revise positive feedback...a rep telling you there is no seller protection means nothing

[tunicaslot]

At first I thought this thread was a duplicate that I posted on last week - but no - it's the 2nd / 3rd time that the statement has been made by CS which is pretty sad.

[redline_auto_llc]

Oh, sure, reps very rarely know what they're talking about. But I can say this is probably one of the most accurate statements I've ever heard come out of a representatives mouth, and the fact that that statement is basically "you're screwed lol" is kinda sad on what's supposed to be a fair marketplace.

[jennzet-0]

I feel she is just telling you what we already know and see on this board on a regular basis.  That secret left the station a long time ago.

We can protect against item not received.  However, if a buyer is willing to lie they can return anything or nothing and get a refund.

[slippinjimmy]

No seller protection for what?

Seller Protection on eBay has always been limited to a small number of specific circumstances. Obviously if your issue doesn't match one of those circumstances then there is no seller protection.

It amazes me that some people seem to think that "seller protection" means that eBay will cover ANY (and every) type of loss.

[ramdaddi]

Times have changed.  Ebay used to protect us, but now they are pro-buyer, sellers be damned.  Last return was damaged beyond a doubt, brand new item when shipped, returned with used parts.  Ebay rep told me I need to get the buyer to confess for me to get the case decided in my favor!  Selling on ebay is no longer worth the headaches.

[redline_auto_llc]

I agree, that's why I said in the post that this is something we're all already aware of. I just found it amusing that I finally, after years and numerous phone calls, got a rep who was willing to explicitly state that seller protection is nonexistent. Fraudulent returns cost me $12,000 last year; there's a shelf in my shop specifically devoted to my collection of rocks that were returned in place of the item that I sent.

[victha_92]

Well get this I had a Paypal rep tell me that. It did not matter that that I got postitive feedback for my sale. the customer could still decide that anytime in 180 days they could ask for there money back for any reason and get it. So now they are not releasing money for 180 days. I asked why are people still selling on ebay then.  with policy like that seller would go bankrupt in months if not weeks. In other words Paypal is telling people use it a few months and return it and get your money back.

[castlemagicmemories]

Perhaps the rep meant that in the context of your issue.

[richard1rst]

Well I am probably going to get a lot of flack for offering an opposing opinion to what is obviously widely believed

BUT

I had a buyer open a return and send back something totally unrelated to what I sent them. I took pictures of the package and the contents. Then I escalate the claim myself and refused to refund. eBay agreed with me and closed the case in my favor. No refund. I felt Protected.

And that is not the only time they have sided with me.

You just have to do it right.

[eleanor*rigby]

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@victha_92 wrote:

So now they are not releasing money for 180 days.

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Oh, my! First time I've heard that!

[redline_auto_llc]

If it worked for you, that's awesome. I wish it worked for me. I've learned that escalating as a seller is a fast track to full refund, no return. And no matter the evidence I can provide, the buyer is always right. 

I won't sit here and say that eBay has never helped me, because out of the hundreds of returns I've processed, I can think of maybe one or two examples where I got lucky with a good rep. On this one, I think I might have a chance of getting somewhere due to the extremely specific set of circumstances; I've seen a case like this once out of thousands and thousands of sales. I'll keep you updated. 

All I can say is that as a general rule of thumb, no matter the evidence that a seller can provide a buyer is guaranteed a refund and the seller is hung out to dry.

[vintagecraze50]

I disagree that there is absolutely no seller protection. Have had some cases supported by Ebay , and PP also helped in a chargeback that was clearly buyer trying to pull a fast one.

[redline_auto_llc]

What were the details of those situations? Seems to me that I can't get any more clear cut than "Hey, they sent me a rock in a box instead of the $500 headlight that I sent them. It was mailed in a medium flat rate box instead of the 24x16x12 that I used". Those cases are a 100% loss rate for me, so what evidence did you have?