eBay approved return after 30 day return period

[bestpricedeals247]

I sold some product that was a new sealed supplement for dogs to support blood sugar level. Retails around $50, and sold for about half of that. I have a 30 day return period and the buyer waited about a month and 7 days to request a return for reason "just didn't like it, didn't work". I am not sure what the science is behind this stuff as I just acquired a random bottle and I am not the manufacturer, but it probably takes longer than a month to show results (irrelevant in this situation I know)  But I am just wondering what is the purpose of offering the max 30 day return period, then the buyer doesn't return in that period and eBay still approves it and I get back a half or almost fully used product which was new and I have to throw away and take the full loss on? I think I should deduct a % on the refund since I have to just throw it away. But I am sure most will suggest that I just do a full return and take the loss. But just in the case that I deduct a % of the refund, what might be a reasonable amount (at risk of a negative feedback I know).  I just barely make any profits as it is and am on a very tight budget at the moment and things like this really eat up what little I do make.  I just don't know why eBay has these rules and return periods just to go against them.

[babclassics]

Don't understand?  EBay approved the return?  They should most likely not. When was the item delivered?  More than 30 days ago?

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi, that return period starts on delivery of item, not the sale date.

Trying to understand what happened here. Did the buyer open a Not As Described case for “didnt work” reason? About the only way eBay could approve a return without your input is if the buyer opened a case and you failed to participate in it.

[bestpricedeals247]

I messed up and just realized that it was sold February 19th but delivered February 25th. The return was approved March 26th so that would have fallen right on the 29th or 30th day. So now I know why it was approved at least, but I am wondering if anyone would withhold anything for product not being returned in original condition in this case or just better to take the loss (I'm leaning towards that now that I realized it was barely in the 30 days) I'm thinking I should just send them a message to feel it out and see if they think a 75% refund is fair at first and if not just just give the full amount. And the refund request reason was "just didn't like it"

[albertabrightalberta]

My comment is unrelated to the return but I noticed that the item shows a shipping charge but the description states, "Ships same or next day free." 

Another comment on the toaster oven you sold. Buyer bought item in December and when it hadn't arrived by February (2 months!), you denied the refund! 

Are you aware that as the seller, you are responsible for getting the item to the buyer. If it didn't get there, you owe the buyer a full refund of their nearly $200. 

[fab_finds4u · Accepted solution]

If they said there's nothing wrong with it, I just didn't like it you can deduct up to 50%xand they pay for return shipping. If they said I just didn't  like it, didn't work then you have to provide a return label and refund in full.

[coolections]

I am assuming the case the buyer filed was not as described/didn't work. If that is the case just refund and tell the buyer to throw away the rest of the bottle. Why waste more money on return shipping AND have an unhappy buyer?

[bestpricedeals247]

On that particular listing I think I originally listed it as free shipping then tweeked the listing a bit months later to lower the price 10-20 dollars and add a 3 dollar shipping to see if it would make any difference. And I never denied the refund, I was just waiting to hear the results of the post office lost mail investigation which never came so I found another of the same item to ship to the customer after that feedback was left. 

[bestpricedeals247]

They stated the reason as just didn't like it then in the underlying comments said "doesn't seem to be working" but I am just going to refund in full I decided

[pkaszuba10]

Are you a Top Rated Seller?  Only Top Rated Sellers that offer free returns can deduct up to 50% of the cost.  I personally would risk it and only refund 50% since they used it and it is now worthless.  I also wouldn't pay to ship it back since it's worthless as that's just more money I would have to spend.  However, I'm not sure if you can let them keep it and only give 50% back to them.  Also, I do not know if the Negative Feedback you will most likely get for this will be removed.  I mean, Ebay states we can do that, but doesn't state if we are protected from Negative feedback.

[holdenshaven]

I am not a top seller and customer is requesting a return 15 days past the  30 day window.  He says the sprayer does not work. Why do I need to accept a return past the 30 days window?  Why did ebay allow this return request to be made in the first place? 

[lacemaker3]

@holdenshaven 

If the buyer says the sprayer doesn't work, then that is covered by the eBay Moneyback Guarantee. This trumps your return policy. Buyers can make a claim under the MBG for up to 30 days after the item was delivered, even if you had a no-returns policy.

Your return policy only applies for returns that are made for a reason that is classified as buyer's remorse, not if the item was not as a described or did not work.

If it's more than 30 days after the delivery date, then eBay allows the buyer to request a return, but does not force the seller to accept it, no matter what the reason. That is so the seller can make their own decision how to deal with the buyer's request. Sometimes, eBay will give the buyer a courtesy refund, if the seller is not able to help them.