Selling an item "as is", if the buyer wants to return, should the buyer pay for the return shipping

[jack8182009]

I am selling an item "as is". Now the buyer contacted me and wants to return the item.  I am fine to accept the return but should the buyer pay for the return shipping? also when I issue the refund, could I deduct the original shipping from the refund? @kyle@ebay

[inhawaii]

Selling something "as is" or even "broken", "not working" or "parts only", if the buyer is unhappy and files a NAD (not as described) return, you will have to pay to have it returned (if you want it returned) and you will have to refund the buyer.

[fashunu4eeuh]

The complete condition title is “For Parts or Not Working” but it actually depends on the category you are selling in as to the exact wording available when describing item condition. (For more info see link below.)

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/creating-managing-listings/item-conditions-category?id=47...

@robbie31415 is right about selling “as is” on eBay. It is meaningless and can be overcome by the Money Back Guarantee.

Before listing something, the seller needs to be able to accurately describe the item, know whether it is functional or not. Any flaws need to be noted. Without doing so, the seller takes a substantial risk of getting a Not As Described case opened against them. That can get a seller a defect, which can downgrade one’s standing on eBay, if too many are acquired.

Just food for thought—I prefer to offer Free Returns so I stopped listing anything as For Parts or Not Working a few years back. The reason is because some buyers don’t do their due diligence or bother to read the information in the listing. They buy without knowing about the item’s flaws or functionality because they saw the price and the photos and thought they were getting a good deal. (Always a good idea to photograph the flaws for inclusion in the listing.)

So if it is broken or not working, i don’t list it.

Best of luck to you, and please come back to the forum anytime.

[jack8182009]

Thank you all for the responses. 

[robbie31415]

I offer for parts, with free returns.

No one has returned any so far.

And its really not just eBays MBG.

Paypal buyer protections, venmo now since that's been added recently.

Not to mention every transaction that passes through Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc have INAD codes.

It's literally impossible to make 'As Is' stick.

[broto_64]

Please read fully Ebay's Money Back Guarantee as it applies to ALL listings regardless of your condition description:
https://pages.ebay.com/ebay-money-back-guarantee/

By the way... 
All items sold are in "AS IS" condition, so "buyer beware" (which is what I think you're inferring) doesn't apply.

[mam98031]

"As is" really doesn't mean much of anything on Ebay.  Our Return policies have to meet or exceed the MBG.

The return policies options are as follows.

1. No Returns
2. 30 day returns w/ buyer pays shipping
3. 60 day returns w/ buyer pays shipping
4. 30 day returns w/ seller pays shipping, AKA Free Returns
5. 60 day returns w/ seller pays shipping. AKA Free Returns
6. 14 Day returns in certain categories

With option number 1, No Returns the seller can completely deny taking a return for a Buyer's Remorse Return Request.  Or if they want to, they can accept the return and have the buyer pay the return shipping.  If the seller so chooses, they can withhold the original shipping if it was separately stated on the listing [not free shipping] when it is time to refund the buyer.

On options 2 & 3 the buyer is responsible for the return shipping on a Buyer's Remorse Return.  Plus, if the seller so chooses, they can withhold the original shipping if it was separately stated on the listing [not free shipping] when it is time to refund the buyer. As of October 1st 2019, sellers that are TRS have some additional protections as well as they can issue partial refunds if they use options 4 or 5 as their return policy.

On options 4 & 5 above, they are also known as Free Returns.  If a seller that has either of those policies, they will pay the return shipping even on a buyer's remorse return.  A seller can withhold the original shipping value from the refund if the shipping was separately stated in the listing [not free shipping].  Also, Seller’s offering options 4 or 5 have the ability to do partial refunds in certain cases if the item arrives back damaged, missing something or in a condition less than what it was sent to the buyer in, see the policy for more details, the link is below.  In the cases where a deduction in the refund is taken due to damage or other authorized reasons for a partial refund, Ebay will protect the seller from negative or neutral feedback.

ALL OPTIONS [1, 2, 3, 4 and 5] are required to process SNAD claims without exception.  Even if they are improperly filed and should have been a Buyer’s Remorse claim.

All return policies by sellers must meet or exceed what is stated in the Money Back Guarantee Policy!

14 day return policies are allowed in certain categories: Jewelry & Watches, Collectibles & Art, Cameras & Photo and Medical, Mobility & Disability Equipment.

For those with Free Return and/or TRS members with 30 day return policies, there are some added protection benefits, one of which is the ability to do a discounted refund under certain conditions.

[mam98031]

If you had a No Return policy on the transaction your buyer purchased and they file a proper Buyer Remorse return, then if you decide to process the claim, the buyer will need to pay for return shipping.  Also when you go to refund the sale, you can deduct the original shipping.  But this is ONLY on a properly filed Buyer Remorse return.

If your buyer opens a INAD, then you don't have a choice.  You will pay for return shipping and once you receive the item back you will need to refund.  Don't let it go so long that Ebay steps in and forces you to refund.  That isn't a good thing for a seller to allow.