Ebay incompétence screwed me over

[glock9mm]

Ebay resolution center told me over the phone and sent me an email to refund the customer. They said that they would not release the funds until the buyer attached a tracking number. So then I approved the return funds and ebay gave the buyer the funds, and the buyer never returned the item. Now ebay customer service is stating that I was supposed to wait until I received the item back. This company is full of ***** I'm deleting my account in 30 days because of this. Absolute incompetence!!!

"Thanks for trying to work with the buyer. Unfortunately, it looks like the issue wasn't resolved. We reviewed this case and decided to ask the buyer to return the item to you.

Once tracking information confirms that the item has been delivered to you, the buyer will be issued a refund. The refund includes the purchase price plus original shipping. This amount will be debited from the payment method on your eBay account."

[annasunicorns]

Good news, you have learned aa valuable ebayism... if a butyon is big or easy to hit it probably costs you money.

Bad news, you were not supposed to refund the buyer until AFTER the item came back. The "refund without getting The Thing back" is very easy to hit accidentally. It does not "allow ebsy to refund them later", that happens automatically, it refunds the BUYER thier money now. No return needed.

In just general information, ebay did not screw you, your lack of understanding svrewed you. Sorry. You are quite welcome to do some homework while you decide if this venue works for you (i like it, challenges quirks crazy, and all).

[fmanzo731]

I agree “they suck” 

a buyer wanted a refund with me also, as soon as the item was returned the money was refunded but it was a different item. They said send them photos but they said they couldn’t open them. Your business is based off of uploading pictures. Such bull****. I asked them to compare the pics in my auction and the pics of the item the buyer sent me of the bogus item. That should have been all they needed. But they sided with someone who has been with eBay less than a year and I have been since 2002. The had no intention of protecting me. 

[glock9mm]

I still don't understand. I approved the refund. Ebay told me they wouldn't release the funds until a tracking number was attached. So YES, it's their fault. They built this POS website not me. 

[donnief]

 There is a lack of clarity here regarding ebay refund process.  Are you saying that ebay actually has access to your paypal funds account and can process the refund?  I just sent something back and the seller upon receipt and verifying the merchandise then credited my paypal account.   The seller did that not ebay.   Ebay knew I was sending the item back and kept the case open until resolved but that was the extent of it.

There were other confusing aspects to my  return but I'll save that for a different post.

[mam98031]

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@glock9mm wrote:

I still don't understand. I approved the refund. Ebay told me they wouldn't release the funds until a tracking number was attached. So YES, it's their fault. They built this POS website not me. 

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I think you misunderstood.  When there is a claim filed, an automatic hold happens on that payment in your PayPal account.  Ebay has them place a hold on that payment until the claim is resolved.  The money is NOT returned to the buyer yet, it is just on hold.

It was NOT time for you to approve the "refund", it was time for you to approve the RETURN.  Then you can issue a return label to your buyer.  The buyer has 5 business days to place the item back in the mail.  If on the 6 business day the buyer has not put the item in the mail [or other carrier] to you, you can call and get Ebay to close the claim for the lack of response from the buyer.  When Ebay closes the claim, your money in PP would be released to you again.

But if the buyer did ship it back, once you recieve it you go into the claim and now would be the time to approve the refund.

The instructions do appear on the screen when you are reviewing the claim.  It is important to read the screen closely and make sure you understand before clicking on anything.  DO NOT ASSUME you know what the screen says, read it.  This is how a whole lot of people make mistakes on Ebay and then they blame Ebay, when in actuallity if they would just slow down and read what is before thier eyes, they would realize what the proper thing to do is.

I am sorry this happened to you.  I sincerely am.  You are in good company because lots of new sellers make this mistake.  It was just a misunderstanding of how to properly process a claim.

I hope you will reconsider and stay selling on Ebay.  Next time you get a claim and if you have any questions about how to process it come here and ask.  We are always happy to help you.

Good Luck!