If a buyer says an item is defective, but it turns out not to be, should I deduct return shipping?

[danielr258]

So I sold a Xbox 360 recently and it works fine, tested every possible function before listing it. Now I had sold it to someone, and the day after they received it, they opened a case saying it was defective (hdmi port not working).

So I message him saying have you tried other hdmi cables? Maybe it's your tv? But he wasn't having it and demanded a full refund and that I pay return shipping. So I just got it back and I've tested it and the hdmi works fine, switched out cables and it works, switched TVs and it works.

My listing stated I accepted no returns so I feel like he just gave a random reason to force me to accept a return and for him to have to pay return shipping. What should I do? Do I issue a refund minus the return shipping? 

[tarpedge · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can deduct from the full refund now that you have your item back.

After that, eBay will send a message to your buyer: Did you get your refund, and if not, click Ask eBay to step in for the rest of your refund.

[danielr258]

So if I click "issue a refund" I'll be able to change the amount yes? It won't just automatically refund the original amount? 

[pingpong517]

you will issue the refund for the amount that was said in the first place...if they said it was defective then you paid ...that;s how a case for a NOT as Described works...like it or not....

you want to challenge the fact...you'll say it works and someone is suppose to believe you? think they will?  

you should be lucky what you got back was what works and is what you sent...you can sell it again....

issue the darn refund....

[needleinahaystack714714]

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@tarpedge wrote:

Yes, you can deduct from the full refund now that you have your item back.

After that, eBay will send a message to your buyer: Did you get your refund, and if not, click Ask eBay to step in for the rest of your refund.

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I was all ready to say.... NO, that is not right and then I read further.  Yes, the buyer will ask eBay to step in and you will probably get an unresolved defect as well.

[hafoster]

If your seller shorts you a $14.10 refund on shipping --off of the full $94.00 refund, just click Ask eBay to get down on it.

eBay will force the rest of your refund --

and your seller will get a shiny new defect.

[missjen831]

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@danielr258 wrote:

So if I click "issue a refund" I'll be able to change the amount yes? It won't just automatically refund the original amount? 

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NO. If you are issuing the refund though eBay, you cannot change the amount. You have to refund in FULL. If you issue a partial through PayPal, eBay will still force the rest of the refund from you.

[practicallyfree4u]

Spoiler

This is why I stopped selling online. will jump thru endless hoops for a buyer. I had this happen 2 times in a 3 week period and not once in 20 years prior. My sales had been roughly $3,000 a month and I stopped selling anything online after that. I set up shop at a nearby Flea Market and now clear ~$900 on the weekends. Picked up a 24 hour week part time job that pays very well.
No more packing boxes, taping boxes, printing labels, trips to the Post Office, trips to Staples for supplies.
Best of all no more endless hours listing items. I went from putting in 60hrs a week to ~45hrs and added ~$15K in income. 

[cream_couture]

I would call eBay. I had a similar scenario happen (buyer claimed issue and it arrived back with nothing wrong) and eBay refunded me the shipping fees (both ways).