Bogus Return Request

[impassingiton]

OMG, I am so angry and frustrated right now.  Would love some suggestions...

I sold an item to a scammer and now I'm supposed to refund him????

I opened item from new box and sent pictures of item in brand new condition then replaced in manufacturers box and sent to buyer.  All of a sudden, I get a message that he wants a refund because it is broken in 2 places - perfectly symmetrical by the way.  I apologized and told him to contact the post office and make a claim because I sent it out intact and packed properly.  He said no, your ad says returns accepted for damaged items and I said, not if you damage the item.  He sent pictures of item broken in 2 separate places and the box was in the background in perfect condition.  Also, I have been a seller for over 20 years with thousands of 100% feedback.  This guy has a feedback of 35.... shouldn't my record count for something????  I tried talking to ebay and they suggest I send him a refund and then appeal which I guess I have to do or they will send it to him anyway???  Why don't they hold money back from him like they are doing to me? I am not Walmart, I can't write off my products, I just lose out because why????? 

[kh-gary]

Hi everyone,

This thread has gotten a bit heated. Please remember that, while it is fine to disagree with others, discussion should always remain courteous and respectful as required by the Rules of Engagement.
 

Thank you for your cooperation.

[tdrake]

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@impassingiton wrote:

Ok, just want to make sure I get this straight, I can buy anything from eBay, break it and then return it for a full refund and the seller just has to suck it up? 

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OMG yes.

[powell-memorabilia]

@impassingiton 

1.  You don’t know if the item was damaged in transit or by the buyer.  
2.  eBay doesn’t know if you sent an intact item.

3.  Yes, you are big enough to write off items - and that isn’t a good excuse for not providing a refund.

4.  None of this is personal.

[bargainnation]

You're very fortunate to have been selling on eBay for over 20 years with thousands of 100% feedback. That being said it only takes one unhappy, hard to please or nitpicker buyer to spoil your record and/or day. The best way to deal with this is to apologize to the buyer (it is possible the buyer is telling the truth about the condition the item arrived in when it was delivered).

If you want the item back before you issue a refund just let eBay and the buyer know that by indicating that on the Return Request. If you don't want to pay the return postage for an item the buyer says is broken then make the refund without requiring the buyer to return the item. If the item was insured then you might want the item back to make a claim with the carrier.

You have an outstanding record as a seller.  Put this incident in perspective and move on.

[johnrj1226]

Sellers are 100%  responsible for getting their sold items to the buyer in the condition as described in their listing.

Secondly, loss/damage insurance coverage is for the benefit of the seller.  eBay's Money Back Guarantee  has the sellers back.  The seller needs to make any claim.  BTW  the carrier will be the judge if  your packing was sufficent.

Shipping an item in a manufacturers box rarely offers sufficient protection

Your feedback record is just for your history books and  only reflects your performance for the last rolling  year.

[powell-memorabilia]

@impassingiton 

I had this happen to me - not fun.  Like your item, it wasn’t a big dollar item.  My buyer even refused to show a picture.  I refunded - my advice is to move on.  Treat it like a business expense, not an affront to your character.

[johnrj1226]

Meant "buyers" back.

[48hrs-clothing]

Yes pretty much.

You Got it in one.

[48hrs-clothing]

Please consider  the facts that eBay were not there when you sent the item

eBay were not there during transit.

eBay were not there when buyer received the item.

eBay can never be held responsible.

eBay are a platform.

You entered into a contract to deliver the item to your buyer and your buyer claims that you have delivered a broken/ faulty item.

Buyer should not state you have sent but should state when received.

Conversation must end there .

I am a seller and I am fully aware of the fact that there are some sellers and some buyers who abuse the system.

It may appear that there are more buyers abusing the system and that is only because they are greater in numbers than sellers.