I returned an item and seller asked eBay to step in??

[unique-mystique]

So I bought this sweater where it was hard to tell the condition with certainty the condition from the photos, and seller is incompetent in that they kept alternating saying "new" and "used" in the item title, specs, description, etc. So I emailed them first asking what is the true condition, and they extended an offer to me where in the note section they wrote sweater was new without tags. 

In person the sweater didn't look new at all, and in fact had multiple broken seams, so I returned it through eBay stating item wasn't as described, and plus the seller has a free returns policy anyway.

Now seller got the sweater back and instead of refunding me they asked eBay to step in! Still claiming that even though I said the sweater wasn't new, it really is. 

I don't understand - what is the point of doing that at this juncture? 

[pburn]

Wait and see what eBay decides. They usually side with the buyer, so the chances are good you will still receive a refund, unless they've already closed the case in the seller's favor?

[unique-mystique]

No, the case wasn't closed yet, and I really can't imagine it being decided in the seller's favor under the circumstances - I just don't understand what the seller is trying to accomplish with this stunt.

Is it just more of the same incompetence I am seeing here that was evident from the start?..

[pburn]

It's a business transaction. Nothing more. Trying to understand what other people are trying to accomplish is an exercise in futility, as the saying goes.

[orangehound]

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@unique-mystique wrote:

No, the case wasn't closed yet, and I really can't imagine it being decided in the seller's favor under the circumstances - I just don't understand what the seller is trying to accomplish with this stunt.

Is it just more of the same incompetence I am seeing here that was evident from the start?..

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Yeah, I think you are dealing with an inexperienced seller.  The seller probably thinks that 'free returns' means that the buyer or eBay will pay for it ... and that it is free to the seller.

[gdiesel70]

It’s likely that the seller is trying to dispute the INAD in hopes of issuing a “partial”  or they offer free returns as a means to deflect “false” INAD and want to dispute your reason. Not saying your reason was false,  nor defending the seller but eBay has a messy  process for handling this. 

Example: I had a legit false INAD last month. This is how eBay advised me to handle it..

Buyer claimed INAD because Antique (listed in Antique category) wasn’t new enough to give as gift. Buyer sent it back in unpadded envelope (rec’d damaged beyond recogition). eBay refused to help unless I agreed to not issue a refund, stop communication with buyer  (buyer negged me) then  wait for a case to automatically open... on day 3. (eBay did refund the buyer- but ruled in my favor & credited in full). 

This may be what’s going on —just a guess.  

Long story short, support is advising sellers to “not refund and wait for a case to open on day 3” which slows down the refund process.  

[unique-mystique]

I understand, but in this case the seller doesn't have a leg to stand on considering that they actually listed the item as used! Which is adding to my confusion here - there is literally nothing for them to gain from asking eBay to step in except maybe two more days.

This is a very weird case.