eBay

mcdougle4248 · ‎12-12-2025

I have an order that looks like it will not be delivered in time to meet the buyer's expectations. No INR case has been opened yet.

I have been communicating with the buyer via eBay messages. I initiated a USPS search request on December 10th and shared this with the buyer. At that time, the buyer stated that she would like a refund if the order is not delivered within the next few days. Well, a few days will be tomorrow, and things do not look promising for a delivery to occur.

I think I will be going into a very high INR rate for service metrics if I get an INR for this order. The order contained 16 items. If someone will check my math on that, it will be appreciated.

klhmdg · ‎12-12-2025

If the buyer files and INR -

Add the tracking number to the case.

Since eBay can see "movement" and you have filed missing mail request, you will be given a few days for the items to arrive.

This should not affect your INR rate.

Since all 16 items are 1 shipment/transaction, it should only be 1 INR.

klhmdg • Volunteer Community Mentor

stainlessenginecovers · ‎12-12-2025

You would have 16 of 800 and be 2%, much higher than 'peers' (if it were 16 different listings that the buyer purchased from). If they got 16 of the same item that you have a listing for 'multi items' then it would be 1 INR.

valueaddedresource · ‎12-12-2025

@mcdougle4248 the number you see in the dashboard might go up into the "very high" range for this, but you should still be protected from any actual negative effect to your account based on this part of the policy:

A Very High rating won't affect your account unless it involves at least 10 reports/requests with 10 unique buyers

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/service-metrics-policy?id=4769#section5

mcdougle4248 · ‎12-12-2025

@valueaddedresource wrote:
@mcdougle4248 the number you see in the dashboard might go up into the "very high" range for this, but you should still be protected from any actual negative effect to your account based on this part of the policy:

A Very High rating won't affect your account unless it involves at least 10 reports/requests with 10 unique buyers
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/service-metrics-policy?id=4769#section5

Thank you. I overlooked this. This will be my first INR this year, so I should be protected.

spreadlovelikefire · ‎12-12-2025

I live in the St. Louis area and I kid you not, I've had 7 packages shipped out on the 2nd that look almost identical to your tracking. Not sure what happened on the 2nd with USPS but I'm tracking several of them that are delayed.

mcdougle4248 · ‎12-12-2025

@spreadlovelikefire wrote:
I live in the St. Louis area and I kid you not, I've had 7 packages shipped out on the 2nd that look almost identical to your tracking. Not sure what happened on the 2nd with USPS but I'm tracking several of them that are delayed.

Things have been bad for me with USPS Ground Advantage since the day after Thanksgiving. It is taking 2-3 days just to get out of my state (AZ). I am not meeting the last estimated delivery date shown to my buyers on many of my recent shipments. Thankfully, my buyers are very patient.

I decided to put my store on vacation, blocking sales, starting tomorrow. Hopefully, doing that will curtail INR's.

redlinear · ‎12-12-2025

Run it out as long as you can.
When you get the INR message, Respond with tracking on the last day allowed.
Then let eBay handle the rest.
Basically just give it as much time as possible to be delivered.
If a buyer wants to go through eBay and file an INR, Then you go through eBay and drag it out as long as possible in hopes the items get delivered prior to being refunded.

I've got one of those going on right now as well.
It was long enough with no movement, that if the buyer had messaged me and asked, I would have refunded.
But they didn't. The went straight to eBay and INR.
I waited several days and then responded with tracking.
Now it's several days later and tracking shows the shipment is moving again.
With any luck, it'll be delivered before refund gets issued.

mcdougle4248 · ‎12-12-2025

@redlinear

Isn't it better to have the buyer open an INR case than to issue a refund straight from the orders page? My understanding is that since I used an eBay shipping label, if I refund through an INR, and the package gets delivered after that, eBay will reimburse me. I could be totally wrong about this, but that is how I understand the new policy. Am I wrong?

redlinear · ‎12-12-2025

@mcdougle4248 wrote:
@redlinear

Isn't it better to have the buyer open an INR case than to issue a refund straight from the orders page? My understanding is that since I used an eBay shipping label, if I refund through an INR, and the package gets delivered after that, eBay will reimburse me. I could be totally wrong about this, but that is how I understand the new policy. Am I wrong?

No, eBay will not reimburse you.
Or at least, they NEVER have reimbursed me for a refunded INR that was later delivered.
The buyer might want to return the items (once delivered). But "usually" the reason given won't affect your metrics or ratings.
OR the buyer might leave you bad feedback since it took so long to receive. But, you can usually get that feeback removed since the feedback is probably going to say something about "shipping".

mcdougle4248 · ‎12-12-2025

@redlinear wrote:
@mcdougle4248 wrote:
@redlinear

Isn't it better to have the buyer open an INR case than to issue a refund straight from the orders page? My understanding is that since I used an eBay shipping label, if I refund through an INR, and the package gets delivered after that, eBay will reimburse me. I could be totally wrong about this, but that is how I understand the new policy. Am I wrong?
No, eBay will not reimburse you.
Or at least, they NEVER have reimbursed me for a refunded INR that was later delivered.
The buyer might want to return the items (once delivered). But "usually" the reason given won't affect your metrics or ratings.
OR the buyer might leave you bad feedback since it took so long to receive. But, you can usually get that feeback removed since the feedback is usually going to say something about "shipping".

It is a fairly new policy (protection):

https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/news/2025-september/inr-policy-updates

redlinear · ‎12-12-2025

@mcdougle4248 wrote:
@redlinear wrote:
@mcdougle4248 wrote:
@redlinear

Isn't it better to have the buyer open an INR case than to issue a refund straight from the orders page? My understanding is that since I used an eBay shipping label, if I refund through an INR, and the package gets delivered after that, eBay will reimburse me. I could be totally wrong about this, but that is how I understand the new policy. Am I wrong?
No, eBay will not reimburse you.
Or at least, they NEVER have reimbursed me for a refunded INR that was later delivered.
The buyer might want to return the items (once delivered). But "usually" the reason given won't affect your metrics or ratings.
OR the buyer might leave you bad feedback since it took so long to receive. But, you can usually get that feeback removed since the feedback is usually going to say something about "shipping".

It is a fairly new policy (protection):
https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/news/2025-september/inr-policy-updates

SWEET!!

mcdougle4248 · ‎12-12-2025

@redlinear

Yes it is! 😀

golfingaddict · ‎12-12-2025

It is best to let the buyer open the claim.

When I look at your tracking, I think that it looks like tracking I get about once a month on items I ship.

It really has not been that long. In this fast world, with Amazon and same or next day delivery, yes, it looks like forever. However, with the Post Office these days, it happens.

I would let the buyer open a claim and then sit back and wait for the package to arrive. eBay generally will give you a bit more time if there is recent movement on the item. If the item arrives, you can have the item closed. The nice thing about that is that any feedback the buyer leaves will be removed. This gets rid of those pesky comments from otherwise happy customers that need to leave low dsr's or point out that the item took too long to ship.

Obviously, if all else fails, you can get a refund if it is delivered after the case is closed. (you refund)

Another thing to think about is filing a lost mail claim with the USPS if it does not show up. I think you can file after 14 days. You can get a refund from them if it does not show up.

eBay has not been very forthcoming about how that refund process works if it is received after the case is closed. I still have questions such as "Do I have to let eBay force a refund for it to work?"

"Will eBay remove a defect if it eventually shows up?"

I want more details about the new policy. In fact, I am not even sure that it is in effect yet.

Just minor details.

mcdougle4248 · ‎12-12-2025

@golfingaddict

Thank you!

If the package is not delivered to the buyer, I will see about filing a claim with the USPS. If the buyer receives the package after I have issued a refund (through an INR case), I guess I will find out how the new eBay policy works or doesn't work 🙄