Return requests didn't like it on a new unopened collectable

[ijourneaux]

I sold a collectible Star Wars chess set in a new unopened condition. Buyer wants a refund be cause he didn't like it. The listing clearly indicates that returns are not accepted. For most sales, I would just allow them to return the item and have them pay the return shipping but now the packaging for the chess set is opened and I can only sell it as used.

Don't want to hurt my reputation and wonder what would be the best way to move forward.

[ckimodog]

@whimsyonthewinetrail 

Lol...that made me laugh. 

I once got a return because the earrings weren't "purple enough"...total bridezilla.  😆

[kensgiftshop]

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@ijourneaux wrote:

Thanks everyone for the comments. I have never turned down a return request before but in this case, with a collectable, often a lot of the value is in the fact that the packaging has never been opened.

Realize that I might have to take it on the chin here. If I accept the return can I reduce the refund because it is opened. Obviously I would I form the buyer of that be for hand

How can I prevent this from happening in the future? What is the correct way to list an item like this? 

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No, you can't reduce the refund.

But, you can deduct the original shipping, if the buyer paid shipping.

[mtgraves7984]

From the comments, I should change my policy to accept returns. In this case, I would be able to reduce the refund because the collectible is opened? 

@ijourneaux 

In my opinion, 'No Returns' is the worst policy out there... I'd suggest you revisit that.

In no  case, are you able to reduce the amount of this refund. That is a seller protection for TRS who offer 30-Day (or better) Returns or for sellers who offer Free Returns. (That protection can't be applied retroactively on a listing that wasn't set up that way.) So, yes... in this instance, you'll have to take this one on the chin.

I find that if an item sells once, it will again. Yes... items are sellable, saleable or salable. You won't know what you've got until you get it back, but hopefully you'll be able to relist the set for the right buyer. Good luck.

[fashunu4eeuh]

@baydistributionllc wrote:

”If you offer returns and they send it back open or damaged you can deduct up to half...”

No, in this case, the seller is not eligible to deduct half of the refund. A seller who offers Free Returns or is a Top Rated Seller has that option, which does not apply to the OP.

@ijourneaux wrote:

”If I accept the return can I reduce the refund because it is opened. Obviously I would I form the buyer of that be for hand

How can I prevent this from happening in the future? What is the correct way to list an item like this?” 

OP, as noted above, your transaction isn't covered for a reduced refund.

Seller protections are limited on eBay, so there is little that can be done to prevent these scenarios. Buyers are accustomed to having returns, and a determined unhappy buyer can find a way around a seller’s No Returns policy by invoking the Money Back Guarantee. eBay policies trump seller terms. In addition, restocking fees were disallowed on eBay a few year’s back.

To prevent bogus MBG cases getting opened against my account, i offer Free Returns. Therefore i would be eligible to deduct up to 50% of the purchase price on an item that was returned in a different condition than it was sold at. Free Returns isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but i get so few returns that i can cover those increased costs when necessary.

[dbfolks166mt]

     It's been awhile since I handled a remorse return but I believe when you accept the return you can offer a partial refund upon return of the item. The last one I did I believe I offered a partial refund and took out the cost of the initial shipping to the buyer but I got back exactly what I had shipped buyer just changed their mind. 

     I would highly recommend accepting returns the not accepting returns is not really worth the problems it can cause. 

[mtgraves7984]

It's been awhile since I handled a remorse return but I believe when you accept the return you can offer a partial refund upon return of the item.

@dbfolks166mt 

In the OP's case, they can have the return shipping paid by the buyer, if a remorse Return. But that's it... no partial refund.

[dbfolks166mt]

If you offer returns and they send it back open or damaged you can deduct up to half. Buyers know that so if they intend to abuse returns they look for no returns listings. Funny how that works. No returns making one a target for returns.

Where does it that you can deduct up to half? I don't need 50% but, on this item 25% would seem reasonable.

This was not my comment that was baydistributionllc and as fashunu4eeuh noted there are conditions associated with that. 

[dbfolks166mt]

It's been awhile since I handled a remorse return but I believe when you accept the return you can offer a partial refund upon return of the item.

@dbfolks166mt 

In the OP's case, they can have the return shipping paid by the buyer, if a remorse Return. But that's it... no partial refund.

Thank you for the clarity. Like I said it has been awhile. 

[ryanrobyn]

I would be scared of them returning a different item.

[lakefor94]

@ijourneaux 

If you are a Top Rated Seller who offers 30-day or longer returns and the buyer returns something different, opened, used, etc. the seller can deduct up to 50% of the refund to recover the decreased value of the item.

[mtgraves7984]

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@lakefor94 wrote:

@ijourneaux 

If you are a Top Rated Seller who offers 30-day or longer returns and the buyer returns something different, opened, used, etc. the seller can deduct up to 50% of the refund to recover the decreased value of the item.

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@lakefor94 

Sadly, the OP's account doesn't have these seller protections. (See posts #18 and #19, for example.) Dang it.

[lakefor94]

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@mtgraves7984 wrote:

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@lakefor94 wrote:

@ijourneaux 

If you are a Top Rated Seller who offers 30-day or longer returns and the buyer returns something different, opened, used, etc. the seller can deduct up to 50% of the refund to recover the decreased value of the item.

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@lakefor94 

Sadly, the OP's account doesn't have these seller protections.

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Right on.

I was reading thru the thread and saw where the OP had asked about that a time or two and it was mentioned but wanted to make sure the OP was clear on how the policy reads. OP definitely stated it was a "no returns accepted" listing, thus won't qualify for a up to a 50% deduction of the refund.

[ijourneaux]

Thanks everyone for the help and discussion. I accepted the return. As a collectable, this one is not the end of the world. I will change my listings to returns allowed but  is there anything I can do to minimize this risk in the future?

[kennys-kollectibles]

If it's ebay's money back guarantee why doesn't ebay eat the cost?  

They make millions of dollars so shouldn't they be able to pay

for their guarantee?  

Small sellers barely making it, can't keep affording this type of thing.  

My big example is....you sell sealed basketball cards.....

buyer buys them and wants a refund because he opened them all up

and there was no rookie Jordan cards in there.  

And ebay would allow this correct?

[meme6253]

I Never heard that you can deduct up to half if the item is returned damaged?, When did that start?