mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999
I sold a camera a couple of weeks ago, listing the item as 'seller not accepting returns'. A few days after receiving the item, the buyer opened a 'item not as described' return request, claiming that the camera doesn't work. Actually, the camera does work, but I before I sold it, I had forgotten to change an in-camera feature that affects the shutter. I messaged the buyer with written and video instructions on changing the setting, and the buyer then responded that the issue is fixed and I can cancel the return.
I messaged the buyer stating that ebay doesn't give me the option of cancelling the return, and I asked the buyer to cancel the return from their account. It has been a few days and the buyer still hasn't done anything.
So basically, the return request is still sitting in my account, showing that my 'response is overdue', while the buyer hasn't done anything to cancel it, even though the buyer states to cancel the return.
My question is: what happens if the buyer doesn't cancel the return and request still asks me to 'respond'? Will the return request expire? Or will ebay automatically 'return' the buyer's money due to my 'lack of response'?
(Paypal has kept this transaction money on hold in my account. I am worried this so-called "lack of response" would eventually lead to the buyer eventually getting back this money *and also keeping the item* 
)
@myangelandmyprincess wrote:
@missjen831 wrote:We aren’t getting confused here. The request will automatically time out if neither the OP or the buyer ask eBay to step in. They have 30-ish days to ask eBay to step in otherwise the request times out.
Jen is correct it will time out even if it’s not accepted. We see it happen all the time from the buyers side because they failed to ask eBay to step in before the deadline and it closes with no refund.
However I don’t think I’d risk it because If the buyer asks eBay to step in at any point between now and then eBay might issue and refund without return since the seller didn’t accept it. So I think I’d chose return for refund. You risk confusing the buyer this way but seems the safer option
You certainly are correct, this is a possible outcome.
But it has happened and there are threads on the subject. Where the seller did not respond to the RFR and after a certain amount of time Ebay escalated it to a Claim, closed it in favor of the buyer, refunded the buyer without requiring a return.
You will get no argument out of me, there are too many variables at play in the Return system. Some are because of glitches in the email notification system.
The OP can choose which way is best for them. IMHO the safest way is to accept the RFR as previously described.
@missjen831 wrote:
@windrunner1203 wrote:
"Since your buyer is not responding to you regarding closing this RFR [Request for Return], it is in your best interest to do these steps. Otherwise in a day or so, Ebay will say you did not respond and escalate the RFR to a claim. At that time it will most likely get closed in the buyer's favor and you will get a ding on your account."
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Does this mean that Ebay could act even if neither the buyer nor I ask Ebay to step in?eBay won’t step in unless you or the buyer asks them to.
If the seller does not accept the return, Ebay does step in after a few days. At least that has happened to at least two other sellers I know off the threads.
One was when they didn't receive the email telling them that they had an open RFR. There have been reports of that happening. And because they didn't know the RFR existed, it got escalated by Ebay for lack of response a few days later. So lack of response is a real thing.
@monster-deals wrote:If you have laready responded "return for refund" you can call it in after a set number of days if the buyer hasn't shipped it. 8 I think.
Best to just wait it out without goosing the buyer into maybe returning it after all.
The OP as NOT responded to the RFR, which puts the OP at risk. That is part of the problem here. The OP is running out of time. We have 3 business days [not 8] to respond. After that at any time Ebay can escalate the RFR to a Claim. If that happens it is likely that Ebay will refund the buyer from the seller's funds and the buyer will not have to return the item.
@myangelandmyprincess wrote:
@mam98031 wrote:
@monster-deals wrote:If you have laready responded "return for refund" you can call it in after a set number of days if the buyer hasn't shipped it. 8 I think.
Best to just wait it out without goosing the buyer into maybe returning it after all.
The OP as NOT responded to the RFR, which puts the OP at risk. That is part of the problem here. The OP is running out of time. We have 3 business days [not 8] to respond. After that at any time Ebay can escalate the RFR to a Claim. If that happens it is likely that Ebay will refund the buyer from the seller's funds and the buyer will not have to return the item.
I think that poster was talking about the amount of time a buyer has to ship back after its been accepted and if it's not returned in that time it can be closed in the sellers favor...which I think is actually five business days? If the seller chooses return for refund (which I do recommend) and if the buyer doesnt ship back after five business days they should be able to get the case closed then.
If that is the case, then the buyer has 5 business days to ship it back.
And yes in the case of the OP had not responded to the RFR, so the buyer does not yet have the option to ship the item back from the RFR.
OP, IMO the best thing to do (as others have said) would be to accept the return, provide a label, and then call to have it closed as soon as possible (5 business days).
It would be unfortunate if you left it open and the buyer at some point decides to return after all and asked ebay to step in. I'd be safe rather than sorry later. 
Thanks for all the responses.
I had originally been hesitant to 'accept the return' because the buyer stated to close the return, so me then 'accepting the return' might cause some confusion in the buyer.
However, after reading the responses in this thread, I followed people's advice and clicked 'accept the return', and then messaged the buyer with an (rather lengthy!) explanation of my actions.
(By the way, the return request had been overdue for at least a week. Ebay hadn't acted, but I didn't want to risk it.)
Today, I noticed the return request was gone. Seems like the buyer finally cancelled the request. 
Good Job and Good News.
Please know that you just got very lucky that nothing had happened. You are only allowed 3 days to respond to a RFR. The threads have several examples of this type of thing not ending well for sellers that did not heed that warning. They lost the product and their money as Ebay will typically refund the buyer [from the seller's money] and let them keep the product because the seller never responded in the RFR.
I'm glad this has finally ended for you.
