Partial Refund Error- Please help!

[mitchmairi]

Hi guys. Did something stupid the other day- offered a partial refund (never used that before) in the belief that this would be offered to the buyer in exchange for the item being returned.

The amount was £500.  I should have checked, but what makes it more annoying is that I was trying to do the right thing- even though I had listed no refunds allowed, because he seemed like a nice guy and the delivery timings just hadn't worked out.

Talked to Ebay, obviously closed case means they can't persue it.  Talked to citizens advice bureau and they seem confident that because the refund was almost the whole amount of the item, it would be obvious that it would be in exchange for the item.  Buyer is now saying (after ignoring me for 2 weeks) he 'gave the money to charity' and that his 'partner is a lawyer' so not to persue the claim via small claims.

Anyone able to give me any advice with this?

[emerald40]

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@mitchmairiwrote:

Hi guys. Did something stupid the other day- offered a partial refund (never used that before) in the belief that this would be offered to the buyer in exchange for the item being returned.

The amount was £500.  I should have checked, but what makes it more annoying is that I was trying to do the right thing- even though I had listed no refunds allowed, because he seemed like a nice guy and the delivery timings just hadn't worked out.

Talked to Ebay, obviously closed case means they can't persue it.  Talked to citizens advice bureau and they seem confident that because the refund was almost the whole amount of the item, it would be obvious that it would be in exchange for the item.  Buyer is now saying (after ignoring me for 2 weeks) he 'gave the money to charity' and that his 'partner is a lawyer' so not to persue the claim via small claims.

Anyone able to give me any advice with this?

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This is the US board.  Our laws may be different here.

But yes, if you offer a partial refund it is discounting the price so that the buyer will keep the item.

[dhbookds]

You are asking on the US board, and rules/laws may be different in the UK....so I'd ask on othat board.........here, the only thing you can "hope" for is that the buyer returns the item.  No way to force them. 

[jason_incognito]

any amount of a refund without the explicit wording that the item be returned doesn't require the return of the item.

Why would a buyer accept that? I pay $50 for something and I expect $50 when I return it.  I wouldn't take $35 with a return.  Just aint happening.

Highly doubt you have any legal leg to stand on.

[lacemaker3]

@mitchmairi

I'm sorry, but the policy on eBay UK about partial refunds is the same as the policy on eBay USA.

If you give a partial refund, then the buyer is allowed to keep the item. If you want the item to be returned to you, then you have to offer a full refund when the item is returned to  you.

https://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/sell/item-not-as-described.html#partial

[mitchmairi]

Agreed- issue is slightly more complex though.  He demanded it get to him by a certain day- I sent it next day delivery, cost me equivalent of $40.  The money I took off was simply to pay for the postage that he had demanded and the return postage.  Shouldn't have bothered lol

[fern*wood]

Whether you gave a full or partial refund, if one wants the item returned you have to wait for it to arrive before refunding.   It sounds like you have an unethical buyer that took advantage of you.