International Returns Process: What Happens When I Select "Confirm You Can't Print a Label"?

[mesodude]

I'm trying to facilitate a return for a UK buyer whose item arrived damaged this past Wednesday. I can't print a label so I've asked him to let me know the shipping cost (so I can PayPal him the return shipping funds). But he's dragging his feet about giving me a shipping quote and I'm beginning to suspect that he may be trying to run out the clock so he gets to keep the item and still collect a refund. The reason I suspect this is that the original box or case for the item was damaged but the item inside is still sellable. The buyer is claiming that he's avoiding going to the PO there because of the coronavirus. Plausible enough...But I don't understand why the buyer even needs to go to the PO to calculate shipping when he should already have most (if not all) of the information at his fingertips anyway (from the shipping label and customs sheet). The main question I have is, what can I do to protect myself so that things aren't entirely in the buyer's hands? For instance, I was terrified to click "Confirm You Can't Print a Label" because I don't know what will occur once I do that. I really hope I'm being paranoid but I find the buyer's lack of urgency (the item cost several hundred dollars, btw) somewhat odd. TIA

[ga-8370]

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@mesodude wrote:

The main question I have is, what can I do to protect myself so that things aren't entirely in the buyer's hands?

For instance, I was terrified to click "Confirm You Can't Print a Label" because I don't know what will occur once I do that.

I really hope I'm being paranoid but I find the buyer's lack of urgency (the item cost several hundred dollars, btw) somewhat odd. TIA

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This is one of the very few times eBay is on the seller's side, @mesodude.

When you click that you can't provide a return label, eBay tells the buyer to pay for return shipping first, then eBay will ask the seller to reimburse the buyer. With this promise made, eBay begins to count down 5 business days (since you sold it on the US eBay.com) for the buyer to upload a return tracking number.

Since your buyer is reluctant on many facetious facets, it is likely you can call after that ivy leak has wilted, and have the return slammed shut in your favour.

[2015mhfashions]

Just go to the Royal Mail website enter the destination, weight and dimensions and you will have the price, obviously make sure it is a tracked service, i believe they are simply looking to have it for free, do this now message the seller and tell them they can simply purchase online.

I would also call E Bay and ask them if you should send the money via Paypal and inform them your buyer is reluctant to purchase the label before they escalate which i'm sure they are looking for.

[cream_couture]

I just had this happen (international buyer didn't respond with the shipping amount for a return) and eBay appealed in my favor after reading messages between myself and the buyer. 

I wouldn't send a label or money without knowing they actually will return the item because then you would be out that money.

[pjcdn2005]

I remember reading about a similar situation a couple of months ago but the result was opposite of yours as the seller lost. One of the reps on the discussion boards told the seller that they could have gone to that country's postal site to figure out the cost and/or to buy a label.  I wonder if some rule has changed or if it is just inconsistent results. 

At one time if a seller sent money for a return label through Paypal and the buyer never returned the item, the seller could file a claim for item not received as long as the money was sent via goods/services and the buyer could not give a tracking number showing delivery of the 'purchase' (the label).  I do know of sellers who got their money back that way but I haven't heard anything about it lately.

[mesodude]

Thanks. The buyer has been stringing me along since Wednesday. He was going to get back to me “tomorrow” and then nothing. Then yesterday, he tells me he’ll be in touch “in a few days” and also something something coronavirus or whatever. Now I’m even questioning whether the value of the item was diminished as much as he claimed initially. If he’d just asked me if he could keep it, we might’ve worked something out. There’s no way I’m going to reward his greed. I’m debating whether to give eBay a heads up about my suspicions. I rarely do international sales. This might be my last one.

[mesodude]

Thanks. As another poster recommended I went to the RM website to get an estimate. The thing is, I used a USPS flat rate box and  I can’t be sure what box or packing materials the buyer will use (because he’s been so cagey) so I didn’t see much point to enter any dimensions. In any event, he’s already stated that he’s willing to handle the label purchase. That should be all the proof I need. But I’ll probably drop eBay a line just for some extra peace of mind.

[wastingtime101]

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@pjcdn2005 wrote:

I remember reading about a similar situation a couple of months ago but the result was opposite of yours as the seller lost. One of the reps on the discussion boards told the seller that they could have gone to that country's postal site to figure out the cost and/or to buy a label.  I wonder if some rule has changed or if it is just inconsistent results. 

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This one?

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/international-INAD-ebay-refunded-without-return/m-p/30235195

[mesodude]

Yikes. Definitely contacting eBay before my buyer runs out the clock. I want to believe it's in my favor that in my situation the buyer (despite his flaky behavior) has already indicated at least twice that he's planning to ship the item back to me.

[pjcdn2005]

Yes, that’s the post I was referring to.  Thank you for finding it.    It looks like the seller was eventually compensated but I wouldn’t count on that happening.

[mesodude]

I forgot to mention that I already filed a claim for the damaged item (based on the assumption the buyer would be returning the book) which has already been approved. I'm hoping that works in my favor.