Returns

[joshuferac_0]

I sold a circuit board “as is” in the description and list as I did not accept returns. Now they want to return “ the item”  there is no way to verify if I’m getting back what I shipped. What options do I as a seller have? 

[toysaver]

Use it as a learning experience.  In the future if you are selling anything for parts take it apart and photograph the individual parts.  It's possible the buyer needed a single part and used your naivety to their advantage.

[dbfolks166mt]

     Buyers are protected by the MBG and no returns does not equate to no refunds. I an assuming the buyer has opened an official case with eBay.  If it is a remorse return you can deny the return otherwise you basically have two choices. 

1. Accept the return, provide a return shipping label and fully refund the buyer upon receipt of the returned item. 

2. Fully refund the buyer and allow them to keep the item. 

     You are correct there is no guarantee that you will receive back the same item you sent but that is a risk sellers take when using this platform. There are some unique and special situations where other options may apply but your posting did not include a lot of information. A link to the MBG is at the end of this response. You may want to read through it and see how your situation aligns. 

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy... 

[bashort]

No guarantees but I have sold lots of things like the Kenmore circuit board and have never had a problem with someone switching returns. What you will find is buyers who buy items like this and when it did not fix the issue they return it.

As far as taking the return it depends on the  reason, if they claim defective or not as described you will have to take the return.

If you list something as item condition "Used" you are saying that the item is 100% functional, putting "as is" in the description does not serve any purpose.

The way that I do items like circuit boards that I can not test is I make a best guess on if it is good or not based on where it came from and a careful inspection then sell it with free returns in case I was wrong.

[soh.maryl]

If you will take a moment to read eBay's Money Back Guarantee for buyers, you will see that there is no such thing as "no returns" on eBay and that "as is" is meaningless also.  

[donsdetour]

Well no return does not mean no refund:

folks just plain don't get it.

If they say item is not as described: I nor eBay has a clue to what they received;

If a IND case is open:

You as a seller get two choices;

Return for refund; or let em keep it and refund.

Third option is to try and fight a case if open. Good luck with that one...

[12345jamesstamps]

Have to refund him but...refund after the return and not before. He might think you will refund him and not want the item returned. 

Make the buyer repackage the item and mail it. Hopefully he has a box and tape and the time to mail it. Make the buyer do some work returning whatever it is. Hopefully buyer will use return label with tracking. 

[laststopgeneralstore]

Start accepting returns and realize that it is part of business. Unless your a really bad seller, the amount of sales you get over the course of a year will greatly outweigh the amount of returns you get. My returns are less than 1% and with the 10% discount on the final value fee's for being a top rated seller, pays for those returns and then some over the course of a year. A return is a return & their is not much you can do about it especially if you do not accept them. Just realize that you are going to get returns NO MATTER WHAT you try to do to stop them. Don't waste your time taking videos or using security stickers or anything like that as it will not work. At the end of the day you will have to eat it and refund the buyer regardless.

[luckythewinner]

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@joshuferac_0 wrote:

I sold a circuit board “as is” in the description and list as I did not accept returns. Now they want to return “ the item”  there is no way to verify if I’m getting back what I shipped. What options do I as a seller have? 

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When there is a dispute over condition or functionality of an item or the subsequent return, eBay has no idea who is telling the truth so they almost always decide in favor of the buyer.

So generally speaking, if your buyer is claiming the item is not as described you have to accept the return and refund and hope he returns the same item you shipped.

Further notes that may or may not be applicable:

You listed this item with the condition set to "Used". eBay has a description for each condition you choose, and this is how eBay defined "Used" for your item:

Condition
Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended.

So although you tried to disclaim away the condition by stating "as is, no returns", the buyer can still return the item as "not as described" if the buyer claims it is not fully operational or does not function as intended.

And if you did not know whether it was fully operation or functioning as intended, you should not have chosen that condition.

[b86fiero]

Getting that first return request is upsetting and worrisome for any seller.  As others stated, you will have refund the buyer's money one way or the other.  Hopefully the buyer is honest and returns exactly what you sent them.

Returns are part of ecommerce and it's best to abide by eBay rules and cover yourself for any future returns.  Offering free returns - you pay for the return postage - can help avoid anyone claiming Not As Described (NAD) or Counterfeit which can harm your account.  When you set up your return preferences there are several options to choose from.

As an aside, offering free returns does not always prevent a buyer from making a false NAD claim.  I had one not long ago who claimed NAD.  I messaged the buyer through eBay messages and told that she had in fact received exactly what she ordered and that I didn't understand her NAD claim.  Her response was that she was told by friends to claim NAD to make sure she didn't have to pay postage to return the item.  Well, duh!  I offer free returns.  After a couple of back and forth messages she finally admitted that her mom didn't like the kitchen towels she bought for her, so it was actually a remorse return.  Such is life in the eBay fast lane  😉 

Best of luck to you!

[nocoolnamejane]

“As is” only works for in person sales: the buyer can look the item over and take it home as it is. Especially without any description whatsoever and pictures that are screenshots from somewhere else.

You can’t look an item over online.

[Anonymous]

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@luckythewinner wrote:

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Condition
Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended.

So although you tried to disclaim away the condition by stating "as is, no returns", the buyer can still return the item as "not as described" if the buyer claims it is not fully operational or does not function as intended.

And if you did not know whether it was fully operation or functioning as intended, you should not have chosen that condition.

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Agreed. Untested parts should be listed as for parts/not working. Although it doesn't 100% protect you from returns, there is no expectation of function.

When I list an untested PC part I state very clearly in the Title/Condition/Description that it is untested, therefore listing for parts.

[ciscoguy0728]

Seems we as sellers aren't really protected like they say. Buyer always wins it seems. Sold an item pictures showed the defect and item listed as USED and buy wants refund cause he cant resell the item with the defect....How is this my problem? Read the listing and pay attention to what you are buying. 

[theteamsetguy]

When you agree to sell something on eBay it is not whether something is your “Problem” or not. Sellers are required to abide by eBay’s MBG for buyers.

[donsdetour]

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@ciscoguy0728 wrote:

Seems we as sellers aren't really protected like they say. Buyer always wins it seems. Sold an item pictures showed the defect and item listed as USED and buy wants refund cause he cant resell the item with the defect....How is this my problem? Read the listing and pay attention to what you are buying. 

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Read and understand: you agree to it by using eBAy to sell on:

https://pages.ebay.com/ebay-money-back-guarantee/ 

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy... 

https://www.ebay.com/help/returns-refunds 

https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/returns-refunds/return-item-refund?id=4041 

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/manage-returns-missing-items-refunds-sell...