I primarily ship USPS Media Mail because the bulk of my inventory are books and DVDs. I get to offer free shipping and it's cheaper. However, Media Mail is known to take a while. I've never had problems with items not arriving on time, however already 4 packages that I've sent out this year (Jan of 2023) I've had to refund the buyer because they opened a INR case against me. I understand it's not the buyer's fault.
Here's my question. What happens when I comply with the INR case and issue a refund because the item was not delivered, but then the item is delivered after the case is closed? Now I'm out of the money AND my item that I shipped - a double whammy. How do I ensure that eBay will credit me back given I can prove that the item was 1. refunded because of a INR case and 2. it was eventually delivered to the buyer?
I've read lots of conflicting information. Some people say that if you refund the buyer during an IND case, eBay will not credit the account even if the item eventually is delivered. You have to have eBay resolve the case without seller resolution, apparently. But as a seller, if I do not issue the refund by the date dictated by the INR case, then my seller rating will be negatively affected? That seems completely and totally unfair.
Thanks in advance for you help!
