Return request before delivered?

[bdmh-enterprises]

So, I had a remorse return on an item I accept returns on. All well and good, shipping label auto sent. But I noticed looking at shipped items that it has not been delivered yet and is still in fact "in transit" to the buyer. Seems odd to allow a return to start when there's nothing to return yet. Is this normal?

It seems like this only serves to allow scammers to get a refund quicker when they send some balloons back..

BTW not worried about that with my $20 Kindle 5 in this case lol.

Also what would happen if the package never arrives? Case closes 'cause label not used? Can the buyer even file an INR then? Seems screwy all around.

[12345jamesstamps]

A 'remorse return'...I thought the buyer pays for the return...'shipping label auto sent'.

Is this because of the "Top Rated Plus' thing.

maybe I am reading it wrong.

[bdmh-enterprises]

---

@12345jamesstamps wrote:

A 'remorse return'...I thought the buyer pays for the return...'shipping label auto sent'.

Is this because of the "Top Rated Plus' thing.

maybe I am reading it wrong.

---

Yes. I do 30 day free on my non card listings for the TR+ discount (cards can have 'no returns' and still get the TR+). First remorse I've had in forever. Auto sending the label is def new to me, but kind of convenient.

[bennotbill]

Is it possible that the item simply didn't get a delivery scan?

[tarotfindsandmore · Accepted solution]

You're totally protected with the auto return acceptance option.  If you don't get the item back, the buyer doesn't get a refund and you don't get charged for the label.  I just had two of these, one was a scammer for a very small purchase who was trying to get a freebie.   As soon as she was informed that should would get a refund as soon as the NIB item was returned, she basically disappeared.  She never printed the label so the item will drop off my returns in a few days and the whole thing will be done and over with.  With this case, I reported the buyer for return policy abuse.

The second one was an "oops, I thought this was a different version" which falls under the same category as yours.  The buyer realized she'd ordered the wrong item before she received it.  The system automatically generated a label for her (because of my TR+ settings) which she'll use to return the item to me when she receives it.  I'll refund her when the item arrives.  If she decides to keep the item, the return will fall off like the other one.  This transaction was with a repeat buyer, however, so I'll probably give her the full refund, but I'm only obligated to refund the item.  She's responsible for the shipping, and I can prorate the return if the item is returned opened or used.

[buyselljack2016]

Seems odd to allow a return to start when there's nothing to return yet. Is this normal?

--------------------------------------------------------

Been that way for quite some time.

Buyers often do a return request for something they have not received. See it often on the boards where buyers have made that "return request" in error.

Normal for buyers to make a mistake. 

eBay has no block to stop it. Probably because they may actually have gotten the item and blocking a "return request" because an item does not show "delivered" would require eBay coding. They could have it where it would question the buyer to ask if they really want to start a "return", but apparently they choose not to do such.

eta      return after an INR works, but as far as I know an INR cannot follow a return

buyer would have to go to payment method for that

[wastingtime101]

---

@bdmh-enterprises wrote:

Seems odd to allow a return to start when there's nothing to return yet. Is this normal?

---

Yes, I get those sometimes. It usually happens when a buyer changes their mind before the item arrives. No big deal.

I've had a couple that filed SNAD before item was delivered; those were reported for buyer abuse.

---

@bdmh-enterprises wrote:

Also what would happen if the package never arrives? Case closes 'cause label not used? Can the buyer even file an INR then?

---

Not through eBay. Potentially through their credit card. You can also refund through the return then turn around to file the insurance claim (if covered) with the carrier. Or you can use 'send refund' after the return is closed if it turns out the package truly gets lost.

[wastingtime101]

---

@buyselljack2016 wrote:

eBay has no block to stop it. Probably because they may actually have gotten the item

---

Exactly. Not everything gets a delivery scan.

[bdmh-enterprises]

"so I'll probably give her the full refund, but I'm only obligated to refund the item. She's responsible for the shipping, and I can prorate the return if the item is returned opened or used."

I know about the prorating, but are you saying here we don't have to refund the original shipping on remorse returns? That's great if so. Like I said, I can't remember if/when I've ever had one of these before lol.

[buyselljack2016]

@bdmh-enterprises 

Remorse return request this week displayed original shipping cost toggled off in the message from eBay. 

Could toggle "on" to include in the refund.

[tarotfindsandmore]

You'll be able to deduct the original shipping fees, which basically puts you back to a full refund but at least you're not paying the shipping back if you do deduct it (and you charged shipping on your items).  With an INAD you pay for both insofar as you pay for the return label and you have to give a full refund.  My last remorse return was about six months ago for a loungefly and I do remember that the original shipping was deducted from the buyer's refund by eBay, but I cannot recall if I paid for her return label, so I could be wrong.

Maybe one of our mentors will weigh in on this bit for us. 

[wastingtime101]

---

@bdmh-enterprises wrote:

"so I'll probably give her the full refund, but I'm only obligated to refund the item. She's responsible for the shipping, and I can prorate the return if the item is returned opened or used."

I know about the prorating, but are you saying here we don't have to refund the original shipping on remorse returns? That's great if so. Like I said, I can't remember if/when I've ever had one of these before lol.

---

If it was a "free shipping" listing then you cannot withhold. If the listing had a separate ship cost, then you don't have to refund the original ship cost buyer paid if they filed the return with a remorse reason.