eBay

ondbr.s.3iz263dwes · ‎03-01-2021

I have to ask, if a buyer initiates a return request for a purchase under "Doesn't Work or Defective" on a "No Returns Accepted" sale, what keeps them from just returning a brick to the seller for a full ebay forced refund and getting away scott free?

At this point, there is no call support for ebay, no chat support, and any buyer initiated returns have no way to fight a full return. Complaining about a buyer does nothing for a specific return. Is "Doesn't Work or Defective" the new buyer's remorse excuse?

Are seller protections eliminated without over 30 day returns, free returns, selling over 100 items a month, or over 1000$ per month?

At this point i'm on the final 2 days to "inspect return" even though it's missing half it's parts, and ebay essentially will allow the buyer to steal my parts without recourse and force me to do a full return.

ittybitnot · ‎03-01-2021

At this point i'm on the final 2 days to "inspect return" even though it's missing half it's parts, and ebay essentially will allow the buyer to steal my parts without recourse and force me to do a full return.

Yes, eBay is going to grant the refund. Basically, it does not matter what is returned to you. eBay considers this buyer fraud scenario "part of doing business." Did you use the "report the buyer" feature? If you don't refund, ebay is going to do it for you and award you an unsavory defect on your account. You can always file an appeal, but basically they are denied within a few minutes of filing.

If you qualify as a TRS seller, or one that offers free 30 day returns (at your cost) for any reason, you are able to withhold up to 50% of the refund price for a 'faulty return'.

inhawaii · ‎03-01-2021

@ondbr.s.3iz263dwes wrote:
what keeps them from just returning a brick to the seller for a full ebay forced refund and getting away scott free?

Nothing keeps them from doing it. Fortunately it doesn't happen a lot and the buyer doing it can only get away with so many times before ebay catches on. It's just one of those things you have to live with when you decide to sell here.

Good luck and stay safe!

Highway Patrol - Junior Brown

luckythewinner · ‎03-01-2021

@ondbr.s.3iz263dwes wrote:
if a buyer initiates a return request for a purchase under "Doesn't Work or Defective" on a "No Returns Accepted" sale, what keeps them from just returning a brick to the seller for a full ebay forced refund and getting away scott free?

There is nothing that will stop a buyer from making a fraudulent return.

@ondbr.s.3iz263dwes wrote:
At this point, there is no call support for ebay, no chat support, and any buyer initiated returns have no way to fight a full return.

Neither a call with support not a chat with support would stop a buyer from making a fraudulent return.

@ondbr.s.3iz263dwes wrote:
Are seller protections eliminated without over 30 day returns, free returns, selling over 100 items a month, or over 1000$ per month?

None of those things will stop a buyer from making a fraudulent return.

nw_anash · ‎03-01-2021

What is a TRS Seller and how would one go about filing the holding of that 50% Of the refund? Thanks!!

lamber9347 · ‎03-01-2021

@nw_anash wrote:
What is a TRS Seller and how would one go about filing the holding of that 50% Of the refund? Thanks!!

TRS= Top rated seller. Check out the policies for TRS and if you meet the criteria, plus offer free returns, only then can you withhold up to 50% if buyer doesn't return your item as it was sold. If you are a seller you really should spend some time reading the TOS as they are constantly changing and very helpful. You can find some great info on there. Best of luck to you....

max-list · ‎03-01-2021

TRS = Top Rated Seller. You have to sell $1000 and 100 items in a year. Or like ittybitnot said,
"An item is returned after it was used or damaged by the buyer" (or a brick) :

"Sellers who offer free returns and who are not Below Standard are eligible for this protection. You need to have 30 day returns, with seller pays for shipping.

You can deduct up to 50% from the refund to recover the lost value of the item.

We will take care of any issues directly with the buyer for you, including removing any negative and neutral feedback, defects, and open cases in service metrics"

reallynicestamps · ‎03-02-2021

While we see this question fairly often, these Failed Transactions are a very small part of trading on eBay.

No one comes here to tell us about the 500 excellent, smooth transactions they had this week. We see the problems.

And most of the problems are differences of opinion rather than attempts at fraud. (And frankly, those which are frauds are as likely to be from sellers as from buyers).

From what you say,

You sold a thing.

The buyer said it was Not As Described.

You have received it back.

You believe that many parts are missing.

The short answer is that you should stop inspecting and refund.

This is a basic Seller Protection. You are looking at one Bad Transaction instead of at your whole business, and not refunding promptly on return is going to hurt you more in the long run than arguing with a crook.

reallynicestamps · ‎03-02-2021

The long answer is Cookie Jar Insurance.

This means putting aside some of the money you make in a virtual Cookie Jar as a sort of premium for self-insurance.

When you have a problem you cover the costs from the Cookie Jar.

Most seller put less than a dime per sale in the Cookie Jar.

Computer parts are a high value/high fraud category. Your dimes may have to be quarters or even dollars.

And the Cookie Jar will also insure against the day when you ship a red sweater to a guy who ordered a blue sweater (it's a metaphor, I know you don't sell sweaters) or even have a guy who says the blue sweater is navy and he wanted royal.

But as others have said, use Trust and Safety to Report the buyer and his nefarious actions.

EBay also has Twitter and FaceBook accounts which have so far been getting good reviews for helpfulness.

max-list · ‎03-02-2021

Sorry, didn't read your original post, just this part. You already knew that.....

lightlily_arts · ‎03-02-2021

If you sell here on eBay for any length of time eventually you will get slammed by an unscrupulous buyer. Unfortunately, it truly is the cost of business and no different than the retail stores who have to consider losses from shoplifting. The only difference is that we know who stole our items and do have a mechanism for reporting and blocking them. Depending on what transpires you may need to file fraud claims, police reports and such. There are also external websites where you can report bad buyers. The only real caution is do not sell here what you can't afford to lose, and always set aside money to pay for claims. The truth is that there aren't any protections against fraud as eBay always sides with the buyer.

lightlily_arts · ‎03-02-2021

Sellers qualify for TRS if they have earned 1000K with 100 sales per year, and the bottom line is that the TRS seller has to offer 30 day free returns. Is that worth it to you?