Handling returns outside of ebay

[bigdeals.etc]

So now for sellers who offer free returns and the new penalties regarding return rate coming... what's the incentive for sellers to have buyers file return requests?

If a buyer hasn't filed one and messages me they want to return the item... wouldn't it be in my best interest to just have them return the item to me outside of ebay and I just cancel the transaction when I receive the item? That way you won't raise your return rate and your buyer is happy they got their money back. It's not against policy to handle returns outside of ebay.

[the_fancy_fox]

Just had the same request from a buyer. My thoughts are either the buyer lost protections due to too many cases opened or is too trusting.... at least they didn’t lie about SNAD, just said it didn’t work with their machine.

If I can I will use cancel at buyers request and refund through PayPal with a detailed note stating refund as due to buyer wanting to cancel.

if anyone has a better suggestion I am open to it.