Item marked as return, still hasn’t gotten item back, messaged buyer, filed a complaint to eBay

[peter19932011]

I sold a tape for about 40 dollars, the tape took 4 days to get there, customer said tape did not arrive in a manner pleasing to her and demanded a 20 dollar refund, I told her to send the tape back, she requested a refund, I gave it back the same day (I’m a new seller), I waited  about a week to get the tape back and now it’s been 2, it’s still not here. I filed a complaint to eBay and even contacted the seller, and nothing, I’m out 40 dollars  and my item but it seems like eBay isn’t very helpful or the buyers on this site are complete thieves 

[coolections]

Sorry for your loss. When you give someone money, there is always a few that will take advantage. Hopefully it will work out, but  you may never see your tape again or the cash. Definitely a hard lesson to learn but now you know never give someone money without getting something in return.

[downunder-61]

OP you ran into a buyer who has no integrity, most are very honest.

Please read up on the refund and returns protocol, and never refund without first receiving the item.

If the process is done correctly through the system you can avoid this type of loss and at the same time make the buyer unable to cheat in this way.

Good luck for future sales, don't judge all by this horrible person

[bbravo65]

...I think you lost both your money and the tape...

...it's too late now...next time, tell buyers to file a return case with eBay, you might have to provide shipping label for them from your own cost depends on what circumstances, wait for them to ship back your item, until you received it back then refund...

...at this time, put that buyer account name on your Block Buyer/Bidder List...also report her to eBay...

...I'm so sorry that I couldn't see any positive outcomes from your situation...may be other posters will have different helpful information...

[remote_controls_and_more]

Never refund until you get the item back, unless you don't want it back.

[fashunu4eeuh]

There is nothing that eBay can do at this point. By refunding before the item was returned to you, you essentially gave this buyer an opportunity to cheat you. Sorry this happened. In the future, wait for the item to be sent back before issuing a refund.