Negative feedback automatically removed?

[hifivearch0]

If a buyer leaves negative feedback prior to opening a return request, is that negative feedback automatically removed once the return request is closed? The reason I ask is because this is exactly what happened to me. I had a buyer leave negative feedback, but I still encouraged the buyer to return the item for a refund because their satisfaction is very important to me. I did not ask the buyer to change the feedback. The buyer then opened a return request but never shipped the item back. Ebay ended up automatically closing the return request and the negative feedback is gone! 

[chevymontecarlo88]

That would be great news if that is the case.

[monster-deals]

if they have "free returns"...yes

[mamabeardsley]

Well, I've refunded a buyer's money after they left negative feedback (without contacting me that there was a problem). The negative was not removed. I guess you have to request the buyer return it? I offer free returns, but the buyer never responded to my e-mails suggesting they return it.

[robbie31415]

If you just refunded without return then you get no feedback removal.

You need to withhold the funds. Force a return to be opened.

You can tell them they can keep it but in order to refund they need to open a return. As soon as return is opened then you refund inside the return they will be able to keep without return and the feedback should be removed.

I refuse to refund anyone outside return even when I don't want it back just for the feedback protection.

[broto_64]

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@robbie31415 wrote:

If you just refunded without return then you get no feedback removal.

You need to withhold the funds. Force a return to be opened.

You can tell them they can keep it but in order to refund they need to open a return. As soon as return is opened then you refund inside the return they will be able to keep without return and the feedback should be removed.

I refuse to refund anyone outside return even when I don't want it back just for the feedback protection.

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I agree about never issuing a refund outside of a case (whether INR or INAD or any other return), however it appears in this case the buyer never shipped the item so then ebay closed the case in the seller's favor and removed the feedback as well.

[robbie31415]

Sorry my response was more to the person above my post than to the OP.

Looks like they refunded without an open return and now stuck without item, money and with negative feedback.

[mam98031]

@hifivearch0 

That is a real puzzle.  If the buyer wanted to remove the feedback, the process is for them to contact their seller and their seller sends them a Feedback revision form.

If Ebay removed it, then it had to of broken one of the feedback rules.  However I'm not sure from what you shared as to why they looked at it if you didn't request the removal or otherwise bring it to Ebay's attention.

It's a mystery!!!  LOL  But at least a good one.