A question about Returns

[red-tiffa]

I'm not new here, but I've never had something like this happen. I sell a variety of things, but my major seller is baby forumula.  I get it from clearence sales in markets and such.  I sold some recently and the buyer contacted me(opened a case, not messaged me) and said there was a problem with half of the shipment.  I said ok. I will refund you for that half IF you ship back.  Buyer never responded.  I approved the return and sent a label.  Still nothing.  

My question is, what happens now?  Do I just sit tight?  I've read on other posts that scams are high and that this could or could not be the case.  All I know is that eBay is telling me not to issue a refund until I get my items back. Which at this point, I'm not sure if I will or not. I've also read that there is a possibility of a charge back via Paypal up to 6months later!  Which I think is totally crazy.    As a buyer and seller, I've never run into any major issues.  If I had a problem with my order, I am sensible enough to contact the seller first and explain the problem and work through  it like adults.  This person just up and opens a case with no communication and then disappears.  Also, they aren't newbies. They have a feedback of nearly 2,000 and have been on eBay for a couple of years. 

[missjen831 · Accepted solution]

Right now, you do nothing. Don't message the buyer. Ebay gave them 5 business days to ship the item back. On the 6th day, you can call and have the return closed in your favor if there is no tracking. You could be nice and give the buyer a few more days before you call, its up to you. Otherwise, the return should automatically close after 30 days, but that doesn't always happen.

[red-tiffa]

Thank you for your help.  I was wondering if I should contact or not.  You've answered my question beautifully. 

[phcd1]

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@red-tiffa wrote:

...I've read on other posts that scams are high and that this could or could not be the case.  All I know is that eBay is telling me not to issue a refund until I get my items back. Which at this point, I'm not sure if I will or not. I've also read that there is a possibility of a charge back via Paypal up to 6months later!  Which I think is totally crazy.....

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You got the right answer from missjen, however you should understand some things about SNAD claims (which is what you have).

1st, eBay guides buyers into opening cases and not contacting seller so many times its not on purpose. 2nd, Buyers basically have 3 protections. 1 from eBay for 30 days, 1 from Paypal for 180 days and 1 from the credit card company (if they used a credit card) for typically a year or more.

Although scammers on eBay are out of control IMO, the biggest problem's is not only did eBay enable them, but advertises to them to rip off their seller! Almost every page is about buyer protection, they do everything but fill out the claim for them (and one could make a case that they even do that!).

Baby Formula is not a high scam item, so I wouldn't even worry about that however I would worry about damaged goods (that YOU bought), recalls, expiration dates, etc. 

[red-tiffa]

I can assure that the items I bought were not damaged any way when they left my possesion.  I can not account for transit, which if something did happen is more than likely then, which in my case means I should either a) add more padding or b) switch couriers.  Of all of my transaction (several with multiple buyers) I've never had any issues.  One time I had a can that came without a lid (but in reality, when the buyer pulled it from the box, it just slid off. In that case, I offered money back, but buyer refused.  There wasn't anything wrong with formula just the lid was off and it was still unopened.  Upon inspection of the box, lid was found and all was well.  In this case, what the buyer is claiming is highly unlikely.  Either way, it is in buyer's hands now.  So, nothing I can do except ride the wave. 

[red-tiffa]

I also agree with the part about eBay enabling scamming.  Just from reading this posts and blogs I was sort of scared.  It seems like nobody wants to work for things anymore.  Either buyers scamming sellers out of products or scammers selling bad product, etc.  It's a sad world that the good has to suffer because of the bad.