@dreamalittledream wrote:
I issued my buyer a partial refund for a shipping overcharge. Days later, buyer requested to return purchased item because she didn't like it. (My policy is no returns but I always accept them. ) She is to pay for return shipping. When Ebay calculates the amount I will be refunding if she actually returns the item, do they take my previous shipping refund to the buyer into account?
Yes, they will. The question is whether you charged a separate ship cost to begin with and I believe the answer is yes.
eBay changed the partial refund process this year and it really stinks because if something is returned later it means either buyer or seller gets screwed on part of the refund.
Basically: the amount you refunded, even though it was for shipping overage, was prorated across both item and shipping.
That means when the buyer returns the item, you will be refunding them item price less the prorated refund amount.
You also have the option to refund them in full, including original shipping, which would also take into account the refund you already sent. That would essentially zero out the transaction on the buyer's end and you'd be at a loss on shipping.
Because this is a remorse return you are not obligated to refund the ship cost.
So what this comes down to is the buyer will not get that prorated partial shipping refund back on the item price (unless you refund in full including original shipping). The system will show you the amount due automatically and you won't be able to adjust it.
If it's a small difference - like $1 or something - the buyer might not even notice or say anything. But if the buyer says something then you can find another way to refund them that prorated amount, like through PayPal or Venmo or Zelle or send them a check in the mail.
