Why not use ebay return label?

[winkintime]

I am dealing with a buyer  with lousy feedback profile (he is a seller too).  Sloppy English with missing words and no punctuations.  He wanted a return.  Even though I bought a eBay return shipping label for him, he is now returning via UPS.  Is he sending a bag of poop?  How should I handle this?  

[corvettestainless]

Did he open a return on ebay? Do you offer free returns or was it a 'not as described' that caused you to issue him a return label?  What is the item? what was the cost? Just too many pieces not told for you to get any descent opinions. 

[winkintime]

Thanks for your reply and questions. 

Yes, he opened a return for "not as described".   Not free return.   It was apple device about $130 amazon $150 apple new.  He paid a bit under $100 open box.  I used the word "wireless" in the title which he insisted misleading him as the newest model.  The rest of the listing and multiple photos accurately show specifics that it is not the newest model.  Never said it was.  But this buyer is hell bent on that word!!! 

He refused to resell on his own, tho he didn't complain about the condition.  I offered that he could use our photos.   I guess he wanted some kind of partial refund and I didn't take the cue.  

[winkintime]

Also, it is a small item.  USPS first class is enough. 

The word wireless is not wrong.  Many other sellers use it.  But this buyer acted like he reads the title only and not the rest of the listing and photos.  And claimed his "entire family is nothing but apple products".  and then he bought the older model and expects it function like the latest. 

[femmefan1946]

He made a big mistake by not using the label you sent.

First because you are not required to pay his return shipping cost.

Second because refusing your label, when you have supplied it, means he is not conforming to eBay's requirements.

Now, if he does send back the item -in the condition in which it was sent- ethically you should overlook his stubborn attitude and refund. BBL. Relist. Move on.

But if you really feel he may send something else, put a note on your door for UPS asking them to HOLD the shipment for pickup. When you go to the UPS office to pick up, which is I recognize a pain in the patootie, open it in front of the clerk.

Not that this will help with eBay, but if he sends something unpleasant, the UPS workers may be disgusted enough to start an internal enquiry about his shipments. He may find he can no longer use that courier. He may even have broken some laws about what can and cannot be shipped-- I'm thinking biohazards here.

[corvettestainless]

You needed to give him a return label; sounds like the buyer does not realize there is one for him; Also sounds like it's a legit return. You probably will have no issue, when you receive, just refund. 

Offering him to resell etc. is not how it works here,.... and 'no returns' don't work here either. 

[wesk_36]

In the case of a not as described claim where you would be paying return postage, ebay says this;

"If the seller is paying for return shipping
When you're sending an item back to the seller, there are a few methods you can use to ship it back. If the seller is responsible for the return shipping costs, they (the seller) decide how they'd like the item to be sent back to them, and they'll let you know which method to use. Generally, they'll ask you to send the item back using one of the following:"

https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/returns-refunds/start-return/return-postage?id=4066

So if the buyer ignored that protocol, I don't know how that works in the eyes of ebay, or if ebay would do anything or care despite it being policy. If the buyer is using UPS, are they asking for reimbursement? Are they paying postage out of their own pocket?

And by "poop" I'm assuming you are referring to returning other junk, not the item!.

[kensgiftshop]

There could be a few reasons he didn't use the USPS label.

They might not have a PO close and no mail pick up, where UPS would pick it up.

[bigdeals.etc]

It's funnier when buyers not only use their own postage... but end up paying over double price to ship it back via USPS Priority (at the counter) when it could've been sent back First Class.

I've had this happen a few times.

[winkintime]

Thanks for your thoughtful reply! 

It's weird he didn't use the label I bought for him so it would end up as defacto a  free return. 

I'll do what you suggested about UPS note.  From what he's selling, nothing would surprise me. 

It's kind of painful...  And I want to escalate this to ebay.  I'd rather take a strike than giving him refund easily.   This is a very first for me.  I want to put him on eBay radar.

[myescape]

Buyers can return any way they want,seller does not have to pay for it though.

Since it is a not as described return escalating to ebay will avail you nothing,you will be refunding when tracking uploaded in request shows item was delivered to you.If he returns something other than what he bought you can use the appeals process and the report buyer link but the refund will still process first

[femmefan1946]

Deadbeat buyers get Strikes, which make it harder to bid or buy on eBay.

Sellers get DEFECTS.

Defects can mean a rise in FVF up to 14%. Restrictions on the number and value of listings you can make. Or even having the selling account closed.

You really really do not want a Defect.

Just having an open Dispute puts him on eBay's radar. They do seem to keep count of those (as a rationcompared with purchases).  If he loses the Dispute because of the unnecessary form of return, he is again on the radar.

And if he has poor relationships with his own customers..... back to Defect territory.

[winkintime]

It was sent to him USPS priority.  So he does have postal service in his area.

[fern*wood]

You do not want to escalate a not as described return to ebay.  That will only end up refunding them even more quickly and you will be awarded an unresolved by seller case on your selling record. 

[winkintime]

Okay.  After I calm down, that 14% will influence my decision.