Is eBay stealing from sellers?

[prettywoman-2012]

I had a return a few days ago, because someone did not carefully read the length description. The buyer selected, "Item does not fit," so that, the way I understand, is not the seller's fault when all measurements were provided in the listing text. The item price was 34.99 but as we all know, eBay charges 10% Final value fee (FVF) currently on jewelry (for those not enrolled in Managed Paymore). INCLUDING the 10% of the shipping cost the buyer paid for. 

Just checked my eBay account fees and charges. Sure enough, eBay returned to me the item price Final value fee - 3.49 - as a credit - but not the 10% of the shipping cost it also took from me at the time point of the order. In this case, the shipping was 4.00 bucks and I am entitled to the 40 cents eBay confiscated by charging a FVF on the shipping part of the buyer's payment. 

This is just one sale and one seller. Multiply the 40 cents (and many items ship for much more than 4.00 dollars, plus many have far more returns than I do) by 1,000,000 (1 million) sellers and you get 400,000 (four hundred thousand!) dollars if the seller does not notice it / or does not care to /or cannot get hold of anyone at eBay. Again, this is just ONE return to ONE seller (me) and most sellers have at least one return now, even the best ones, within the same calendar year, so the actual number must be tens of millions of dollars. I am assuming that returns are more prevalent for sellers who are selling electronic devices or high-end jewelry and appliances. 

Interesting way of earning enough to pay their CEO Devin Wenig 57 Million in the severance package. Now I am no longer wondering where they got the money for the exorbitant compensation of their Execs. 

PW

[mam98031]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@dhbookds wrote:

@Anonymous 

is it correct that on remorse returns, where a seller does NOT refund shipping, that a seller must request a refund of the shipping fees?  why wouldn't it be automatic? 

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Hi @dhbookds, any refund issued through a or return request on eBay would have the appropriate final value fee credited automatically, even if the option to withhold the shipping cost is available. If a seller sees a discrepancy with the amount credited we can review for manual adjustments, but this should process along with the refund without further action being required by the seller.

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@Anonymous 

This thread is that the OP had a properly filed Buyer's Remorse Return.  The buyer paid for return shipping and when the buyer received the item and refunded the buyer, they withheld the original shipping [it was separately stated shipping on the purchase].

The OP is of the opinion that even though they did not refund the original shipping they should have a FVF credit for the shipping.

Would you please outline the policy specific to properly filed Buyer Remorse Returns.

[dhbookds]

Thanks Trinton.............

So can anyone verify that they got the shipping fees back without having to contact customer service............???   I don't have any returns to check.....

We need to see if it's a one off glitch with PW or universal.......

@mam98031 

@coffeebean832

@cynthealee2

@luckythewinner

just in case you have any..........item#'s would help........

[mam98031]

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@dhbookds wrote:

Thanks Trinton.............

So can anyone verify that they got the shipping fees back without having to contact customer service............???   I don't have any returns to check.....

We need to see if it's a one off glitch with PW or universal.......

@mam98031 

@coffeebean832

@cynthealee2

@luckythewinner

just in case you have any..........item#'s would help........

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I can confirm that in the past I've always gotten my FVF back for what I've refunded without any phone calls.

But that is NOT the OP's issue.  The OP wants a FVF refund for an amount they DID NOT refund to the buyer.

[dhbookds]

I realize that Mam........ which is the reason I asked:

is it correct that on remorse returns, where a seller does NOT refund shipping, that a seller must request a refund of the shipping fees?  why wouldn't it be automatic? 

[fern*wood]

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@dhbookds wrote:

I realize that Mam........ which is the reason I asked:

is it correct that on remorse returns, where a seller does NOT refund shipping, that a seller must request a refund of the shipping fees?  why wouldn't it be automatic? 

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That's the whole argument that wasn't addressed.   My understanding is that refunds of fvfs are NOT given if the seller does NOT refund.  So, there is no need to attempt to request one or feel entitled to one. 

[dhbookds]

And I read the refund rules that we should get it, there is no caveat that I can see that the shipping has be to refunded in order to get a FULL fee refund........that's the reason I asked Trinton.....not arguing with you just trying to find out what is correct.......  To some extent, I agree with the logic...that the shipping fee refund would not be given IF the shipping isn't refunded........but not what I see in the help pages....... 

[fern*wood]

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@dhbookds wrote:

And I read the refund rules that we should get it, there is no caveat that I can see that the shipping has be to refunded in order to get a FULL fee refund........that's the reason I asked Trinton.....not arguing with you just trying to find out what is correct.......  To some extent, I agree with the logic...that the shipping fee refund would not be given IF the shipping isn't refunded........but not what I see in the help pages....... 

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I hope he returns to clarify, so we all could stop arguing about it. 😃

[dhbookds]

Fern, I read from his answer that we should get it........but hope he does peruse Mam's question and come back to confirm/deny.....

[fern*wood]

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@dhbookds wrote:

Fern, I read from his answer that we should get it........but hope he does peruse Mam's question and come back to confirm/deny.....

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I processed a remorse return refund just this morning, so I went to look at my seller account to see what happened.  I was refunded the FVF on the purchase price and that was all.  I did not refund the initial shipping and did not receive any fee refund for the postage, so I do not think this is a glitch but as designed.

[mam98031]

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@dhbookds wrote:

I realize that Mam........ which is the reason I asked:

is it correct that on remorse returns, where a seller does NOT refund shipping, that a seller must request a refund of the shipping fees?  why wouldn't it be automatic? 

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My question is Why would it be automatic?  Why would Ebay owe the seller the FVFs back on an amount they DID NOT refund the buyer?

And if some think Ebay should refund this FVF when the seller did not refund it, how do you feel about when on an INAD a partial refund is issued to the buyer.  Should the seller then expect to get a FVF refund on the entire transaction instead of just the part that was refunded?

A long thread for such a simple subject.

[mam98031]

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@fern*wood wrote:

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@dhbookds wrote:

Fern, I read from his answer that we should get it........but hope he does peruse Mam's question and come back to confirm/deny.....

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I processed a remorse return refund just this morning, so I went to look at my seller account to see what happened.  I was refunded the FVF on the purchase price and that was all.  I did not refund the initial shipping and did not receive any fee refund for the postage, so I do not think this is a glitch but as designed.

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And to my knowledge that is how it has ALWAYS been.  It sure has been that way for me for years.  I never remember a time it was different.

[dhbookds]

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@fern*wood wrote:

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@dhbookds wrote:

Fern, I read from his answer that we should get it........but hope he does peruse Mam's question and come back to confirm/deny.....

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I processed a remorse return refund just this morning, so I went to look at my seller account to see what happened.  I was refunded the FVF on the purchase price and that was all.  I did not refund the initial shipping and did not receive any fee refund for the postage, so I do not think this is a glitch but as designed.

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And that's what I remember reading from the Boards.......However, I also remember reading that ebay would credit them if you called in........which is the reason my question was "is this automatic"?  It certainly should be, if that's how it's supposed to work......however if Ebay deems it a "courtesy" refund.....then I can see having to call in.

@Anonymous 

So apparently, the refund on the shipping isn't automatic?  How do we get this to be automatic?

[mam98031]

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@dhbookds wrote:

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@fern*wood wrote:

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@dhbookds wrote:

Fern, I read from his answer that we should get it........but hope he does peruse Mam's question and come back to confirm/deny.....

---

I processed a remorse return refund just this morning, so I went to look at my seller account to see what happened.  I was refunded the FVF on the purchase price and that was all.  I did not refund the initial shipping and did not receive any fee refund for the postage, so I do not think this is a glitch but as designed.

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And that's what I remember reading from the Boards.......However, I also remember reading that ebay would credit them if you called in........which is the reason my question was "is this automatic"?  It certainly should be, if that's how it's supposed to work......however if Ebay deems it a "courtesy" refund.....then I can see having to call in.

@Anonymous 

So apparently, the refund on the shipping isn't automatic?  How do we get this to be automatic?

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It is NOT just shipping.  It is ANY amount you don't actually refund to the buyer.  Like the example I gave in my post a couple posts back regarding partial refunds.  No refund No FVF refund.

[Anonymous]

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@dhbookds wrote:

I realize that Mam........ which is the reason I asked:

is it correct that on remorse returns, where a seller does NOT refund shipping, that a seller must request a refund of the shipping fees?  why wouldn't it be automatic? 

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Hi @dhbookds, a seller would typically not be entitled to a final value fee credit for money they did not refund. While Customer Service can review a transaction for any needed corrections, this doesn't sound like a discrepancy. 

I want to add that our Help Page for fee credits stats that no credit is issued when a partial refund is given, so I'm working on getting clarification since I've seen sellers who withhold original shipping receive credits for the final value fee on the item. You can review the Help Page here.

[dhbookds]

so I'm working on getting clarification since I've seen sellers who withhold original shipping receive credits for the final value fee on the item.

@Anonymous thanks, that's our question..............I don't think there was one about a partial refund.