No return refund scams

[vladdie22]

I've recently run into a situation where a buyer is in my opinion using the eBay policies to try to scam me. Knowing that depending on your reason for a return it either falls back on the seller or the buyer. If they just don't want the item then it's usually up to the seller to accept the return or not, but it it's because the item is not as described or doesn't work it is on the seller to return and pay for return shipping. I'm having an issue when I know 100% the battery charged and worked when it was sent out. The return shipping cost is more than the price of the battery itself. So knowing this as a buyer they claimed it didn't work, have a negative review, and refused to communicate with me on the eBay messaging platform. Financially, it's cheaper for me to let them keep the item with a full refund and the buyer knows this, so this is where the scam comes in. They are using this knowledge and eBay policies against me the seller. Has anyone else run into these types of issues? I've contacted eBay multiple times and got three different responses on what to do. I'm more upset that I'm being lied to and used than anything else, but wondering if this is common, or how to avoid it in the future. I will be blocking this buyer when the situation is resolved. But what protection does the seller have in these cases?

[therogue-trader]

Pretty common.  

"I've contacted eBay multiple times and got three different responses"

did you talk to phone support?  it's generally recommended to never do that.  contacting ebay support via social media (ex: facebook) is considered the best bet.  unfortunately not much they'd likely do as there's nothing to prove to them that you're not the one lying or that something didn't happen to the item in transit

[albertabrightalberta]

@vladdie22 

You haven't posted on your selling ID so we can't see your items or your return policy. 

But if you don't have a return policy, buyers often believe they need a reason to do a remorse return so they may lie and claim it's NAD (not as described). And as you've acknowledged, you're obligated to refund, either accepting and paying for the return or just refunding and letting the buyer keep the item. 

It's not a "scam" when buyers want to return an item and YOU decide to issue a refund and allow them to keep the item. That's a choice you're making.

You can report buyers who abuse returns and if those buyers have enough reports, ebay may eventually take action against them.

[stephenmorgan]

---

@vladdie22 wrote:

Has anyone else run into these types of issues? 

---

Has happened several times and like you I have had to decide if it is cheaper to refund without requiring the return of the item.

[doorguru]

The buyer is probably bluffing you. I would go ahead and tell him to return the item. I will bet that you will never hear from him again.

[valuestore]

In 20 years selling I've maybe had about 5 legit returns. Just in the last 30 days 4, very unusual. First one entered a fake tracking # post neg, we won case fb removed. Second never sent item, won case. Third one trying the shake down,l method, no case opened. Fourth  were waiting for item to ship. 2 weeks nothing. Someone's probably  posting on Reddit how to return scam, so it's trending but it's a total fail, the scammers are 0 for 4 so far.. beware sellers. The eBay system works, stick to it.

[mam98031]

@valuestore 

Sadly there is information all over the internet on how to steal from sellers.  I'm glad yours are turning out well for you.