How do I issue a refund?

[aviatorsgarage]

I'm new to selling and a little lost. 

The article I googled says "From the dropdown menu, select Send refund", but I'm not seeing that as an option on the order page? The buyer hasn't opened a refund request, but I want to issue one because it's been more than a month and the item hasn't arrived. Tracking also shows that it hasn't moved in almost a month, and the missing mail search request hasn't come back with anything.  

I'd rather refund them via ebay just so there's documentation here, but is the only way to issue the refund on Paypal? Or do I need to get the buyer to file an Item Not Received case? 

[bigdeals.etc]

I wouldn’t recommend it but if you still want to do it, the correct way is to click on “cancel order”. There is no “send refund” button. They will then ask you to choose one of three reasons to cancel the order. 1) problem with buyers address, 2) I’m out of stock, 3) buyer requested to cancel. You see the dilemma here?

Once cancelled, the full refund will be automatically issued to the buyer.

[no_zero369]

Just take a deep breath or two and do nothing.

Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you!

Wait for the buyer to file an INR case.  OR if you want to stir the pot and create an angry seller, send them a note and tell them to file an INR case and you will refund immediately.  Why are you so anxious to lose money?🤔

Forget "googling" for answers.  Go to the top of this page and find Help & Contact.  Type your search there and get eBay policy.  Or come here and ask how to do it.  You use Google and you'll get all kinds of opinions (like all freight forwarders are scams) that are just not true.  Although eBay doesn't post here much, their hired moderators and others here keep the info here fairly accurate.

[no_zero369]

Oh and another point.  IF you issue a refund before the item is delivered and then the package gets delivered then you might have a buyer like this, who is going to have to spend their own funds to send the darn  thing back to you!