seller returned item without starting return process. does not respond to my emails to do so.

[sitonmycar]

I'd sent a buyer a portable shortware radio. I had said in the ad title that the radio runs only off AC power - not batteries. Shortly after the received it, I received it back. I sent him an email telling him he needed to start a return process so I could gladly issue him a refund. He responded compaining that the radio did not run off batteries when I had plainly said this was the case in the title and body of my ad. Should I just refund him or wait for him to start a return?

[ads*and*ends]

I would refund immediately, with a sincere apology that he had trouble with the item. I realize he did not read your description, but hey, he sent it back! No need to make him wait any longer. You'll lose your FVF's and the cost of shipping, but it seems this buyer may not fully understand how eBay works and was at least trying to do the right thing by shipping it back. I'm sorry this is happening, just avoid making him/her any more upset by waiting longer. It's nothing you did, I just get the sense they don't fully understand eBay.

[emerald40]

I have a question -

If you refund this way, does it somehow get recorded by ebay?

Otherwise what would prevent this buyer from trying to return it again, asking for a refund?

[buyselljack2016]

@sitonmycar

I believe that you can cancel using "buyer request" as the reason. No defect, as the buyer does seem to be requesting it.

You would be refunding their full payment.  FVF would be credited to your account.

Seems you have dodged the "return shipping" cost.

If a return is opened as SNAD/INAD (even if it is not) you would pay return shipping, and take an INAD ding on your  seller metrics.

[pingpong517]

you said you received it back...so yes refund...  why are you waiting for him to start a return...he did and you received it....He just didn't use the correct ebay procedure.... so you will not get some fees back...unless you cabcel the transaction, and he agrees, a...but is it worth it really....he  did..you do..it's done

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@buyselljack2016 wrote:

@sitonmycar

I believe that you can cancel using "buyer request" as the reason. No defect, as the buyer does seem to be requesting it.

You would be refunding their full payment.  FVF would be credited to your account.

Seems you have dodged the "return shipping" cost.

If a return is opened as SNAD/INAD (even if it is not) you would pay return shipping, and take an INAD ding on your  seller metrics.

---

^^THIS^^

OP, you got lucky.

[ads*and*ends]

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@buyselljack2016 wrote:

@sitonmycar

I believe that you can cancel using "buyer request" as the reason. No defect, as the buyer does seem to be requesting it.

You would be refunding their full payment.  FVF would be credited to your account.

Seems you have dodged the "return shipping" cost.

If a return is opened as SNAD/INAD (even if it is not) you would pay return shipping, and take an INAD ding on your  seller metrics.

---

If this is possible, and I'm in no way doubting you, I'm just curious why so many on the boards advise a seller with an upset customer to respond with "please return for a refund" instead of asking the upset customer if they would like to return the item and if they respond with "yes"...then it can be initiated on the seller end, with "buyer requested" option. 

[emerald40]

That is two times we agree.

I have the same question

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

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@ads*and*ends wrote:

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@buyselljack2016 wrote:

@sitonmycar

I believe that you can cancel using "buyer request" as the reason. No defect, as the buyer does seem to be requesting it.

You would be refunding their full payment.  FVF would be credited to your account.

Seems you have dodged the "return shipping" cost.

If a return is opened as SNAD/INAD (even if it is not) you would pay return shipping, and take an INAD ding on your  seller metrics.

---

If this is possible, and I'm in no way doubting you, I'm just curious why so many on the boards advise a seller with an upset customer to respond with "please return for a refund" instead of asking the upset customer if they would like to return the item and if they respond with "yes"...then it can be initiated on the seller end, with "buyer requested" option. 

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Because a RETURN cannot be cancelled. It's apples & oranges.

[goodluckselling]

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@emerald40 wrote:

I have a question -

If you refund this way, does it somehow get recorded by ebay?

Otherwise what would prevent this buyer from trying to return it again, asking for a refund?

---

The refund would be from the original payment which would not have any to refund twice.  The OP can also just call eBay explain what happened share the return tracking number by which the CSR person can verify zip codes and then handle the refund that way.

Good Luck Selling!

[fr8hvnhet0]

First off I would issue a refund and be done, take it as a buyer looking out for you since it won't show on your metrics (granted this has other implications but how about we skip that for a later discussion since I really just wanted to answer this next question).

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@emerald40 wrote:

That is two times we agree.

I have the same question

---

Because doing what this buyer did places the buyer OUTSIDE ebay's protection scheme and believe me there exist PLENTY of sellers on ebay who will take FULL advantage of such a naive buyer.

To be quite blunt, the buyer just gave the seller her item back for free.

That's not entirely true, in lieu of a refund the buyer could still open a SNAD request and then send back an empty box. However the concern here is that line of thinking strays off the path. But there do exist sellers here who at this point would play dumb and in some cases it's not even a game when the seller honestly can't figure out what got returned...?

That is the real problem, thus it is always best to educate our buyers however now is not the time.

I believe now is the time to issue the refund and be done with this.

[emerald40]

I do understand it is not very wise for the buyer to do it.

But the other poster and I are asking from the seller's point of view.  Why is it better for the seller when the buyer just returns it without going through the process.

[ads*and*ends]

I'm not asking about cancelling a return, I'm sorry I don't understand.

[lintbrush*]

I've been in your shoes with a blind return.

I simply contacted the buyer and told them that I'm sorry it didn't work out for them, but in order to issue the refund, they would need to open the return request on the eBay platform, and as soon as I saw the request, I'd process it immediately as the item was already sent back.  I told them it was easy process and how to find the return button in their purchase history (before it was a giant button).  They did within a few hours.  

I'd reply to his message and let him know again that the refund has to go through the eBay platform and he has to initiate it.  Then I'd give it at least 24 hours.  I wouldn't address his inability to read lol

[buyselljack2016]

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@emerald40 wrote:

I do understand it is not very wise for the buyer to do it.

But the other poster and I are asking from the seller's point of view.  Why is it better for the seller when the buyer just returns it without going through the process.

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Why?

INAD +4% increase on FVF's  (even when the INAD claim is false)

Buyer seems to have paid return shipping. (they may press for that to be refunded)