08-15-2020 01:17 AM
I've been selling for over 15 years on eBay (this is not my first account) and this is actually the first time I've EVER had someone want to do a return. I've always listed items honestly and accurately. The person received the item and claimed it was damaged and wants to return it. I know the item isn't damaged because I personally used it. To make matters worse, I've already withdrew the funds from the sell. I've opened a ticket for eBay to step in, does anyone have experience with this? Does eBay ever side with sellers? I have a lot of documentation of the item working before, thankfully.. but I've never been in this position. I'm so irritated with this experience, and much worse I'm dealing with a person who is making subtle and creative excuses about the item. Hopefully eBay sides with its sellers when sufficient evidence is provided.
08-20-2020 02:42 AM
On any return for Not As Described, no matter how truthful or not your buyer is, the seller is required to pay the return shipping cost. You may think is it not right, but it is eBay's policy. They want the buyer to always be happy, no matter the seller's expense. There is no point in contacting Customer service, they will not change this.
08-20-2020 06:51 AM
Let's see. I'm going to dispute this today. I looked at the eBay policy for Buyer Protection and see this:
Not covered
I should not be obligated to refund this as it was received as described. I have it in my possession and I have full ability to demonstrate its working condition. I believe by their own terms I am not bound to anything. I can return the item back to the buyer, but I don't see how I am bound by any wording that says I have to refund a FALSE claim.
08-20-2020 07:42 AM
I understand your need for Justice and to keep fighting for it. Unfortunately, it is rare for a seller to receive that Justice.
Be aware of the time lines on the return case. If the buyer escalates the case, eBay will refund them and hold your account responsible for pay back and you will receive a defect for "cases closed without seller resolution".
One bit of good luck for you is receiving the item back as sent.
08-20-2020 07:55 AM
Issue is you have no proof the item you sold worked, and anything you attempt to show them (video, pictures) can be of another like kind item, pictures/video can be altered etc. so they DO NOT EVER accept any 'proof' you may have.
Bottom line, there is nothing you can do except be glad that buyer didn't 'break it' and send you a 'broken, now un-resellable' one. You can now simply resell it and you have to eat whatever losses in shipping you had.
Nothing will ever change that. Know going forward that 'no returns' just means for the honest people who simply 'changed their minds'... but most know the work around. If you are TRS you can refund 50%, and you can report buyer whether TRS or not (doesn't do anything immediatly, but if buyer makes habit out of this with enough sellers reporting, eventually their 'return' rights will be removed.
08-20-2020 08:13 AM - edited 08-20-2020 08:14 AM
I wish this was true. Ebay always sides with a buyer. I sold a vintage doll and after paying for it the buyer started asking if it had a ribbon in its hair?! You could see from the photos, it did not, they asked to cancel but I had already shipped it. So as soon as she got it, she filled a “not as described” claiming it had no ribbon and now stating it had a horrible smell. I had to accept it because, ebays return system will automatically allow a return and refund the buyer. Got it back yesterday and there was no smell or anything wrong. It was exactly as I showed it in the listing. Now I’m screwed and out $25 in shipping for a $20 item 😏
Honestly it’s Ridiculous that we can’t even leave them bad feedback.
09-08-2020 01:55 PM
Despite everything that was said, I was able to keep the money from the sell. Ebay also refunded the buyer as a one off. However, I got an invoice for the month and I am still required to pay for listing fees, and the original shipping AND return shipping. So ebay at least let me keep my money and made me feel great. But they're still getting some back in the invoice. What a load of.. But at least I didn't lose all of my money.