Sold an item and now buyer wants full refund

[borocay]

I sold a new wireless mouse to a buyer on 1/28/2020 and mailed it to him on 1/29/20 to his PayPal confirmed address.  USPS shows it was received there on 1/31/20.  On 2/28/20, a return to sender is processed because the buyer never picked it up.  I received the mouse on 3/3/20.  I got a message from him a few days later through eBay stating he was out of the country and asking if I would re-mail it to him when he returned.  I agreed and never heard back from him until yesterday, 5/2/20, when he messages me through eBay that he wants a full refund.  I wanted to speak to eBay about this before I responded but before I could do so he opens a return request because the item was not received.  Of course, eBay is instructing me to contact him to work it out or Customer Support will make a decision if the buyer escalates it after three days.  I've sold things off and on through the years on eBay but never had anything like this happen.  Any suggestions on what I should do would be appreciated.  

[doubledz-a2z]

If you have the item back in hand I would refund the buyer minus the shipping cost and relist.

[corvettestainless]

...and if you don't have the item and you re-shipped it to him, provide the tracking number in the return case (which will be asking you for it) and the Case will close in your favor.

[m60driver]

The buyer does not have a leg to stand on.  You mailed the item and then the buyer failed to pick it up and it was returned to you.  Any service you provide to the buyer at this point is merely a courtesy to the buyer.  The buyer's Ebay guarantees are made null by not receiving the item.  I would just refund less any and all fees incurred and then block.

[borocay]

Thanks, I will give him the option of shipping it again (he pays) or refunding with all fees deducted. 

[borocay]

As I mentioned previously, I am going to do the right thing and give the buyer the option of shipping the item again or a refund less all fees incurred.  However, I would like to know how he can open a request with eBay in the first place if he has no recourse.  I can't even get the auction to come up when I enter the item number. 

I've pretty much given up on selling on eBay anymore with all of the scammers, non-paying buyers and end-the-auction early request.  It's becoming a major hassle.   I don't know how the Powersellers deal with it. 

[five*sisters]

Anybody can open an Ebay request for anything, it doesnt mean he will be refunded or he can escalate it. He lost his buyer protection by not picking up the item, the case should close in your favor.

[7606dennis]

I'd cancel at the buyer's request, get my final value fee back and refund the buyer.  Don't forget to add him to your BBL.

[borocay]

If I refund the buyer through eBay will all of my fees be refunded including FVF and PayPal fees? 

[chrispycritter007]

No. There is a time limit for refunds through eBay and I believe that time is past (30 days or 45, not sure). Withhold both PP and eBay fees, plus shipping, from refund.

PayPal no longer refunds fees for any reason regardless of time frame (buyer can pay, instantly cancel, and you are out the PayPal fee - casual and malicious buying is now costing sellers real money as well as time lost) so this is one of the few times you can be made whole on your own.

[borocay]

I appreciate all of the help.  I notified the buyer that I was willing to mail the item to him again (at his cost or refund less all eBay and PayPal fees) and he is demanding a full refund.  He is stating that eBay will refund my final value fee.  I know everyone on this thread has stated that it won't happen due to the lapse of time and I can't get in touch with anyone from eBay.  The only thing I get from eBay is the following message this morning.  I'm confused.  Do I refund through eBay, PayPal (less all fees), mail the item to him again or just wait it out?  Any suggestions is appreciated.