Issue with buyer

[melissa5410]

A buyer purchased a pair of shoes I wore once. I packed them up in the original box and shipped it to her. A week after she received them she claims they don’t match the description and specifically accused me of cleaning them with something that discolored it. I believe she damaged the shoe and now wants to return them. I am the only person that handled my shoes on my end and there was nothing wrong with them. Now she wants to return them and get a refund. I only made $26 on them. The shipping cost $13 one way. I will lose money on this. How can they allow this? 

[bonjourami · Accepted solution]

Sorry to say, if she opens a case, she will win. If you want the shoes back, provide a return label, and refund after return. If you dont respond to a case, Ebay will force a refund, she gets to keep the shoes, and your account will get a major defect.

[kensgiftshop]

Ebay has a 30 day Money Back Guarantee and you agreed to it when you listed the shoes.

[melissa5410]

Okay, thank you for your response. 

[chapeau-noir]

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@melissa5410 wrote:

A buyer purchased a pair of shoes I wore once. I packed them up in the original box and shipped it to her. A week after she received them she claims they don’t match the description and specifically accused me of cleaning them with something that discolored it. I believe she damaged the shoe and now wants to return them. I am the only person that handled my shoes on my end and there was nothing wrong with them. Now she wants to return them and get a refund. I only made $26 on them. The shipping cost $13 one way. I will lose money on this. How can they allow this? 

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eBay isn't in charge of your profits, shipping costs, etc. That's up to you. Unfortunately, selling on eBay is never a sure thing - particularly with shoes.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

Among the things you should never say when a sale goes sour is "I only made".

Sales that go sour are often the sales than carried lower profits, and often are sales which were higher risk of going sour which is why they were not more profitable.

One of the toughest decisions to learn how to make is how to stay out of trouble by not selling something you already own.

[ittybitnot]

 she claims they don’t match the description and specifically accused me of ...

@melissa5410 

It doesn't matter what the buyer "says".  Once they choose the reason from the dropdown menu for a return, that is all that matters.  It does not need to be the truth, the buyer is not required to provide any proof.  The item simply becomes what the buyer says it is though an automated system with very predictable results.  

eBay customer service is no longer allowed to intervene.  Your buyer can be claiming the sweater has holes in the sleeves, when you actually sold them a hammer, and you are on your own.  Your choices are to accept the return and fund the return shipping, or refund and allow them to keep it for free.  Know that what is in the parcel that you are paying to get back won't matter either. 

It is part of doing business here, and unfortunately often exploited  by less than honorable people who are well acquainted on how the system works.  

[melissa5410]

Thank you for your response. I guess i will count my blessings that it is just the first time it has happened but it’s definitely frustrating. 

[inhawaii]

I would take the loss and move on.

Refund the buyer and let them keep the item.

In the future, remember that.....

ANY buyer can claim that a item is "not as described" and you will have to refund them.

The only decision you have to make is....

Do you want to pay for the return OR let them keep the item.

Sorry this happened to you.

Fortunately it doesn't happen too often.

[rugerskick]

Unfortunately you ran across a bad buyer/scammer.

Easiest thing to do.

Accept the return.  Block the buyer.  Report the buyer.  When the shoes come back contact ebay and file that the item returned is not in the same condition as they were sent.  See if they can do anything for you from this angle.

Also if this customer gave you any red flags or weird vibes from contact/messages before buying/shipping, remember them so that any future buyers that do so, block before they purchase.