How much time does a buyer have to decide whether or not to return an item?

[austi4871]

I've been googling this question for about a half hour but can't find any official statement on it.

When a person buys somerthing on ebay, how long of a window do they have before they can no longer return the item for a refund?

I've seem mentions that 'it depends on the sellers terms' but I don't think I ever made any specific terms. I can't even find a 'return policy' option in my settings. 

So, assuming I don't have any specific terms, is there a default that applies to sales?

I ask because I sold an item to a person overseas who's using a US-based intermediary company. The package got delivered to said company, and I'm wondering how long they now have before they could no longer ask for a refund. 

The reason being that I'd rather not spend the money until I know it's mine. 🙂

I have no reason to believe this buyer would return it, given their feedback. And from what I understand, since they used an intermediary company, they lose buyer protection anyways. But to be safe, I'd rather hold that money until I know the customer is happy and/or has owned it beyond the return window. 

[sam9876]

When a package has been shipped to a forwarder, you usually don't have to worry about anything happening.

[orangehound]

There are three answers:

Generally speaking, a buyer has 30-days of item receipt (eBay) and 180-days of payment made (PayPal) to return an item with the reason being that the item is "not as described" or "item not received".

If a buyer uses a forwarding service (as you describe) then this voids the "not as described" protection; the item still has to be successfully delivered to the forwarder, but after that there is no responsibility on the part of the seller.

Finally, the only return timeline remaining would be whatever return policy existed with the listing:  30-day, 60-day or no returns.

[castlemagicmemories]

"They lose protection anyway."

They are still covered for SNAD.  

Ebay gives thirty days to open a case, Paypal gives 180, which many credit card companies do.

[missjen831]

As soon as the item is delivered to the forwarding service, the buyer is no longer covered by the MBG--not for an INR or an SNAD. If they file with ebay, just call and have it closed in your favor.

Unfortunately if they pay with paypal, they have 180 days to file a dispute and having the item forwarded does not forfeit their buyer protection

[orangehound]

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@missjen831 wrote:

Unfortunately if they pay with paypal, they have 180 days to file a dispute and having the item forwarded does not forfeit their buyer protection

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Thanks for expanding on that.  I sometimes keep thinking "eBay" in responses ... also, if a buyer used a credit card, then a buyer could file a chargeback with their credit card company on a purchase for a SNAD.