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?

[collectablesofliberty]

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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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You cannot recive negative feedback from this type of transaction. No dings for anything.

[collectablesofliberty]

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@emerald40 wrote:

I am still confused.

Are you saying we can get scr*w*d either way.

So what do we advise posters here.

Can I still give the return for refund option?

Should I give both?

Should I give a caveat with each one.

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I personally, would never suggest that an item is shipped to me outside of the eBay Return Feature. It is in the Buyers best interest to do it properly. 

[buyselljack2016]

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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.

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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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"please return for refund" is the proper eBay procedure.

asking the buyer if they would like to return, and then using "buyer requested" is weaseling out of the situation. 

It's just like not having an item in stock, (damaged/relisted in error/can't find) and asking the buyer if they want to wait 2 months to see if you can locate one, of if they would like to cancel.  Answer would likely be yes cancel. Using that yes is weaseling out of the deserved OOS defect.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@collectablesofliberty wrote:

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@emerald40 wrote:

I am still confused.

Are you saying we can get scr*w*d either way.

So what do we advise posters here.

Can I still give the return for refund option?

Should I give both?

Should I give a caveat with each one.

---

I personally, would never suggest that an item is shipped to me outside of the eBay Return Feature. It is in the Buyers best interest to do it properly. 

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The Blues have said it's best to go through a case as well, Mark.  

[castlemagicmemories]

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@buyselljack2016 wrote:

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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. 

---

"please return for refund" is the proper eBay procedure.

asking the buyer if they would like to return, and then using "buyer requested" is weaseling out of the situation. 

It's just like not having an item in stock, (damaged/relisted in error/can't find) and asking the buyer if they want to wait 2 months to see if you can locate one, of if they would like to cancel.  Answer would likely be yes cancel. Using that yes is weaseling out of the deserved OOS defect.

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You're right but it happens all the time.  I started responding, I understand you are out of stock, a long time ago.  Received an indignant response from a TRS, I am not out of stock, I am selling my private collection.  This was for an item I asked about dimly perceived damage in listing pics, and was told the item was fine.  Yet two seconds after paying, it suddenly developed the damage I asked about.  Message said, there are two cracks on the front of the building, and something broken off the roof and I don't know what it was. Please let me know if you want to cancel.  I will wait to hear from you.  

I explained that whether you are an individual or a business, you are out of stock when you can't provide the item in the condition specified.

She refunded.