Return out of courtesy to buyer - but don't want to short myself

[estate_rocks]

I am a seller who does not accept returns.  Buyer purchased four speakers and asked me to ship them in two boxes.  I set up a special buy it now auction for the four speakers and two boxes and included the shipping in the total cost.  So marked "free shipping".  Cost to ship was $90.

Buyer is in China and had me ship to his Oregon address.  Boxes are too big to put on the plane.  Buyer wants a refund which I am willing to do minus $90 shipping and $20 worth of packing materials plus he pays return shipping.  He agrees.

I'm not sure how to do this properly in eBay.  My big fear is having eBay refund the whole price.  I'd also like credit for my fees.  What is the best way to do this?  I did not fedex through eBay because it doesn't deal with two packages going to the same place really well.  I used my own Fedex account to ship.  Should I have him send them back with the same account and then do a partial refund?  I have done those before.  I have emails through eBay where he agrees to all of this.  Thanks.

[dtexley3]

If the buyer hasn't openned a return, don't ask them to.  Have the speakers shipped back and then refund the partial via paypal.  Keep the eBay messages to show that the buyer agreed.  

If the return request has been opened it's a bit more difficult as some people have reported there's no longer an option to to a partial refund.

[getitright1234]

How was the listing set up?  Was it local pick up?

[getitright1234]

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@estate_rocks wrote:

I am a seller who does not accept returns.  Buyer purchased four speakers and asked me to ship them in two boxes.  I set up a special buy it now auction for the four speakers and two boxes and included the shipping in the total cost.  So marked "free shipping".  Cost to ship was $90.

Buyer is in China and had me ship to his Oregon address.  Boxes are too big to put on the plane.  Buyer wants a refund which I am willing to do minus $90 shipping and $20 worth of packing materials plus he pays return shipping.  He agrees.

I'm not sure how to do this properly in eBay.  My big fear is having eBay refund the whole price.  I'd also like credit for my fees.  What is the best way to do this?  I did not fedex through eBay because it doesn't deal with two packages going to the same place really well.  I used my own Fedex account to ship.  Should I have him send them back with the same account and then do a partial refund?  I have done those before.  I have emails through eBay where he agrees to all of this.  Thanks.

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More questions now that I see it was not a local pick up listing .............that you shipped out anyway.

#1.   The Oregon address-  was this  the address on file with PayPay?

#2.  Who is this Oregon address-  a shipping service company/dropper shipper?

#3.  Do you have it in your messages,  the buyer claiming the package simply being too large to get onto the plane,  and that is the only reason he wants a return.

Here is why I asked the above questions:

If this buyer opens a return with eBay and claim the item as defective or not as described you will be out the original and return shipping.   Never shipping big heavy item awith Free shipping, even should the buyer not clain a defect of damages, a simply:  I want to return will cause you to lose the original shipping when you ship with Free shipping.

If you did not ship the item to the address on file with Paypal you have no Seller protection with eBay and or PayPal, you are only to ship items to an address on file with PayPal at the time of purchase.    

Be prepared to have your eBay messages of the buyer requesting a return only for the reason of  the package not fitting/getting on the plane.   You do have some protection when the buyer uses a drop shipper to take the package you rightfully sent to them  and they forward the package elsewhere.   

Goodluck

[missjen831]

If the buyer used a forwarding service then the OP can get the return request closed in his favor. If the buyer opened one.

[acrc3113]

Best option is to tell the buyer to return for refund. I don't think that the buyer will (because of the size of the boxes and the cost of shipping). Sure hope you shipped to address listed on ebay's and paypal's label info. If you get your speakers back, you will have to refund everything the buyer paid on the initial "buy it now" transaction, and eat your original shipping costs. 

[reallynicestamps]

I agree that this is a Buyer Remorse request.

Tell the buyer to have the Oregon business to return the speakers for a full refund.

• Since the Oregon  re-shippers  are a business there is no reason to fear reprisal/damage to the speakers.
• The customer will have to pay the re-shipper for return shipping NOT YOU.
• The logistics of the return are between the re-shipper and the buyer.
• If the speakers are not returned, you do not have to refund.

When you get the speakers back, refund. While you are allowed to refuse returns, you must make refunds.

Put the buyer on your Blocked Bidder List.

Put China on your Blocked Destinations List for all your listings.

When you relist, include dimensions in your listing in both metric and imperial measurements. Most of the world uses metric.

If you want to sell internationally, opt for the Global Shipping Program which specifically is designed as a Seller Protection program and which also specifically will not accept bidders from their 'no-go' destinations.

[dtexley3]

There's a large forwarding company in Portland, Or.  I've had a number of shipments go through them to Asia.  Only had an issue once and it was an error by the PO that they took care of immediately.  

[estate_rocks]

The buyer lives in China and regularly uses an Oregon shipper.  It was a verified address on PayPal.

Yes, his emails to me through eBay clearly state that the packages won't fit on the plane and that he really wanted the speakers and acknowledges that he is OK with a big loss.  Nowhere did he specify the package sizes required and my listing lists the size accurately.

[estate_rocks]

There is no return request filed by him.  Only eBay messages asking for a return.  His english is pretty poor.

[estate_rocks]

So if I accept the return, I cannot do a partial refund?  Is that what you are saying?  My listing is clear.  I do not accept returns.  I was trying to help him out, but sure don't want to get stuck with refunding him the shipping costs.  No way.

Please clarify.