Issue with a refund

[almay5]

Buyer has decided to return item, but forgot to include usb cable when returning it. We've talked and agreed to account for $7 deduction from refund to make up for missing cable. How should I process a refund for a different amount than the full purchase price? I don't see any options for editing the refund amount. 

Thank you, 

[orangehound]

The eBay interface does not give the option for a partial refund unless you offer free returns.

There is another approach, but it is a pain (and not sure worth the $7).  You can do a partial refund through PayPal, but eBay will then not refund your Final Value Fees ... you can call up eBay customer service, show the messages between you and the buyer and see if they will credit them back.  You might have to call multiple times because a CSR might deny you or they might say they will but just not do it.

Also, the return request will remain open on eBay.  After receiving the partial refund through PayPal, the buyer should then go in and close the return request on eBay.  With an open request demonstrating a return, the buyer could go in and "ask ebay to step in", which causes more havok.