eBay's Needs to Rethink its Return Request Functions

[friendsofnavair]

First time in the history of being a seller that a buyer is wishing to return an item. His reason for returning is that the item was damaged in transit by USPS. In receiving the return request, eBay offers a few options...NONE of which allow me to either refuse or dispute this request. A few background points: 1.) my seller's profile clearly states I do not accept returns; 2.) the buyer had reached out earlier, informing me of the transit damage; 3.) in my response, I urged the buyer to file a claim with USPS; and, 4.) his response to my message, he stated he was fine 'as is', just disappointed it was broken. He did not state he had filed a claim with USPS, and furthermore did not state or imply that the damage was of my doing nor due to any negligence on my part.

And now he files a claim. Is there not a way for sellers to share this information with eBay? And why would I be willing to accept a return in light of the fact that the issue prompting the request was not of my doing? Has anyone had this issue before? Any way to resolve it? Thanks in advance.

[frgre3717]

You need to read up on the MBG.

[bonjourami]

Its not the buyers job to file a claim with USPS..its yours. The buyer is covered by Ebays mbg, when an item arrives damaged. And it is your responsibility as the seller to refund that buyer.Then you handle the USPS claim.You really think your no returns protects you from refunding a buyer who received a broken item? Wow.

[magicjohnsonsvariety]

Sellers are the one's who file for insurance claims...not the buyer. If it was in fact damaged in transit and you get it back as such, you should file a damage claim. 

Unless you think your buyer is lying, the buyer has no responsibility. Even if he is lying, there's little you can do about it except report them to ebay.

[nobody*s_perfect]

As noted in the other posts, you need to read eBay's buyer protection policy, which they call the "Money back guarantee."

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

It's the seller's responsibility to get the item into the buyer's hands in the same condition as it was listed.   If an item is damaged in shipping, the buyer is entitled to a full refund and if the seller wants the item back then they can provide a return postage-paid label.  

[lamber9347]

My goodness but it's becoming a daily post of a seller saying they are not responsible for their item arriving damaged. Amazing the lack of understanding what a seller's responsibiliti8es actually are....

This platform offers a MBG to all buyers. Your own no returns policy is superseded by eBay’s return policy in the TOS. Unless this is a buyer’s remorse type of return you will have to refund. Once the buyer selects INAD you will have to pay for the return shipping or eBay will deduct it from your account, regardless of what you stated in your own listing. Your best bet is to accept the return and issue the return label or you will also receive a defect on your selling account.

It happens; it's a part on selling online. It's not personal, it's business. You've been very lucky that this was your first return. Best of luck to you....