Buyer returned item AFTER return request was declined

[rhymingmime]

Hello -

I am a long time ebay buyer/seller with perfect feedback rating. I recently sold an item (sports jersey) that was shipped and received by the buyer. My listing clearly stated "returns not accepted"  and the item was clearly described including size, condition and included numerous detailed pictures. The buyer never asked any questions other than making an offer that I accepted.

2 days after the item was delivered I received a return request message through Ebay stating the item "doesn't fit". The buyer acknowledged in his message "I know it says seller doesnt except returns, but its not doing me any good that I can wear it". He also acknowledged that the item was in
"pretty good shape". He never requested a refund and only stated "I have no choice but to return it".

I promtly declined the request and did not message the buyer. My listing shows "this return is closed".  3 days later, the item appeared on my doorstep. So now I have the item AND the buyer's money.

Just wondering what my best response is. Do nothing/see what happens? Message the buyer and request a prepaid shipping label so I can return the item? Contact Ebay and report a problem with the buyer? I'm not keen on refunding an item when the return policy was clearly abused. Thanks in advance for any input.

[rhymingmime]

So are you suggesting refund? Just clarifying...

[rhymingmime]

Last question for the gallery - if I offer a refund, is it bad form to deduct my Paypal and Ebay fees or must I eat that too? Thanks for all the input folks!

[green-night]

So are you suggesting refund?

I'm not suggesting anything, that would be up to you.    But it sounds like you don't feel right about keeping the buyers money even though they returned against your will.  If you decide to refund, then I would deduct the cost of original shipping as well as any fees.

[sam9876]

I'm not suggesting anything.

[nutmegnumismatics]

I would never make a customer keep what they don't want and returns are vital to any viable  business.  If the buyer made a mistake it should be on them to return it, but the way the system is set up many times the seller has to pay regardless.  

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@a*river*runs*through*itwrote:

@rhymingmime

The buyer paid to ship it back to you. So it actually costs the buyer money. You have the item back. Refund him.

Once you refund you will get your FVF back.

BTW, your "No Returns" policy does not trump the Ebay MBG.

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Which the money back guarantee has nothing to do with this since it's not a SNAD issue. 

I would refund minus all fees and shipping costs  and then block em 

[shopkiger2]

They still don't have to do a return for an item that doesn't fit the buyer. I've been there before. I had more than one person try to return an item because it didn't fit even though I have a no return policy & it even states in my listing that I WILL NOT do returns on items that do not fit since measurements are provided. Both times ebay sided with me. The representative told me we do not have to do returns for items that don't fit the buyer.

[mr_lees_deals]

If you use the refund link in PayPal you will get your PP fees back on the refunded amount, full or partial, less the $.30 transaction fee. If you refund you MIGHT not be able to cancel the sale to get your Final Value Fee credit since the return was originally denied and case closed, something to look into. So that would leave a partial refund so you break even. Feedback is still a concern so if we are only talking a small amount in eBay fees, do a full refund and chalk it up to the cost of doing business.

[tofu107]

LO NG ago,someone told me a credit card rule,retailers must accept return,if he refuses,then he will lose the chargeback and buyer keeps the returned return.

all buyer has to do is to show the cc issuer he has attempted to return the item.

Anyway,he can file chargeback with his issuer and tell them it does not fit and he returns the item and you never refund.

CC issuer is not like Ebay and Paypal,it will approve his chargeback,he keeps the item,your payment wouldbe reversed and you will be slapped with $20 chargeabck fee.

doyou want tolose the item and pay $20?

[tofu107]

someone once bought a box of chocolate,took one bite and said she does not like it,so she returned the remaining ,and got her money back.

[lightlily_arts]

You can't keep both the money and the shirt.   I would refund the buyer less the shipping charge.  However, if you do that you will have to pay eBay's final value fees.  So you would have to deduct the final value fees too.   A partial refund would have to be done through Paypal, not eBay as you can only cancel with a full refund through eBay.

[madmax69trojan]

Here is what i would do.

If the measurements were in the ad, not just the size I would send it back, with tracking- it is his item now and he owns it- if measurements are in the ad, it sounds like they weren't.

If no measurements but if the jersey is a large and it measures out to right to a large, right where it should- I would send it back- again, with tracking.

Either way i would go ahead and CALL and report the buyer- to document- ask the ebay csr for the conversation # and take note. Make the rep realize what the buyer did, returning anyway, and that you sent it back and tracking shows returned.

If a case opened and closed I believe the ability to leave fb is blocked- call and make sure 1st- get that conversation #.

If it was an XXL or bigger or, with no measurements, or if it measures out weird I would refund.

What was the size? Can you give us an item #?

It depends on the size and what you included in the ad.

MB

[7606dennis]

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@madmax69trojanwrote:

Here is what i would do.

If the measurements were in the ad, not just the size I would send it back, with tracking- it is his item now and he owns it- if measurements are in the ad, it sounds like they weren't.

If no measurements but if the jersey is a large and it measures out to right to a large, right where it should- I would send it back- again, with tracking.

Either way i would go ahead and CALL and report the buyer- to document- ask the ebay csr for the conversation # and take note. Make the rep realize what the buyer did, returning anyway, and that you sent it back and tracking shows returned.

If a case opened and closed I believe the ability to leave fb is blocked- call and make sure 1st- get that conversation #.

If it was an XXL or bigger or, with no measurements, or if it measures out weird I would refund.

What was the size? Can you give us an item #?

It depends on the size and what you included in the ad.

MB

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Actually, if the seller has a no return policy and the return was declined but the buyer shipped it back anyway, I don't believe the seller is duty bound to then accept the return and refund the buyer.  The buyer has, in effect, abandoned the property by sending it back to the seller even though the return was denied.  

[vintagecraze50]

If buyer opens a case with Pay Pal they will require you to refund the buyer, if the buyer has return tracking info.

[vintagecraze50]

IMO denying a refund for it does not fit is BAD business practice and it might bite you in the butt.