How to handle a return with USPS insurance when a buyer claims damage

[art-7378]

Hey all, I sold a rare and expensive Pokemon card and shipped it Priority with Insurance. The buyer is claiming the the card came to them with water damage and creases and would like to return it. 🙄 Given the amount of reading I've done on this subject the last 2 days, my gut is screaming I'm being scammed - however, I would like to go through the process as best as I possibly can. 

The return claim is already submitted by the buyer. I've requested pictures of the damaged packaging and item from the buyer. (I have received nothing from them yet). My time will run out soon and I will need to Accept the seller's Return - however, in order to make an insurance claim on an insured packaged from USPS I cannot have the buyer ship it back to me. I need them to take it to the post office and submit under my claim #. Ebay rep said to accept the return and then message the seller requesting for them to drop it off. Is this the best course of action? I don't want to paint myself into a corner. I can imagine my buyer might either drop off the face of the earth or msg saying they did take it to the post, the USPS says they never received anything from them, and when I ask Ebay for more help they point out I should have bought a return shipping label and there's nothing they can do. But I can't ship the item back to me or my insurance is void. In this case the buyer claims shipping damage.

What is the best course of action in this scenario? I just want to dot my i's and cross my t's as best I can. Thank you for any help or suggestions you can give.

[disneyshopper]

You do not want the buyer to send the item back.  Ask the seller for photos of the packaging and the damaged card.  Make sure the label shows in the photo so the USPS can see it.  Tell the buyer you need those photos to submit with the insurance claim.

You refund the buyer in full.  You submit the photos with the insurance claim.  The USPS may or may not require the buyer to take the damaged item to the post office for inspection.

[rainbowranchmom]

Since USPS is starting to have more frequent losses and damage, I have had this issue. USPS will only accept the actual packaging - NOT PHOTOS anymore. Some of my buyers don't mind sending the item back and but some don't want to be bothered. Sad result - I lose money, USPS is very clever in setting up the insurance system in such a way that it essentially is useless.  Sure wish DisneyShopper was right in my cases. I have a new "cost of doing business" now. Check FedEx for better rates out west (I am in Florida) and so far, FedEx has not dinged me at the end of the month with huge correctional invoices that are automatically paid. Sure getting dicey shipping. AND today I lost a sale because eBay software told a buyer I don't sell to Pennsylvania. Last time I looked, PA was part of the US! Ya don't think someone is hacking eBay as political payback for the election? The chat agent couldn't help me - there was nothing in my account to refuse Pennsylvania. so what gives? As I said, getting dicey to make a profit.

[simba6]

You did have it in a zip lock bag?

[donsdetour]

First return for refund.. It is your only option.

 It may or may not be the item you sent.

If not: file theft with law enforcement, and then appeal the case with a copy of said report.

As for insurance the purchaser does not have to aid in such.     In other words forget the insurance.

A reshipped item will not be allowed as a case with the USPS.

This is the problem with insurance.

Good for lost in the mail,

worthless for damaged items, unless you find a cooperative purchaser.

even then it comes to improper packing as a denial from the USPS most of the time.