Looking for help! Buyer wants to return t-shirt after return policy expired

[vintagefinds_4_you]

I offer 30 day returns. The buyer purchased a T-shirt from me and it arrived over a month ago on February 8. He just opened return request today. He said that the T-shirt smells and that it cannot be worn and he’d like to return it. The buyer also said that they were out of town for work the entire time and they never opened it, but they have received 15 feedback as a buyer for this month. I also washed the T-shirt before I sent it out. I don’t want to accept the return, but I don’t want the negative feedback. 

do I contact the buyer and mention how he has purchased several items from eBay this month? Do I mention how I wash Ed the shirt? Do I mention that it’s past the 30 day return policy. Do I ignore his request?

looking for guidance from an experienced seller who has gone through this before.

Thank you all!

[alcoforever]

I would ignore the request.   If he really wants to return it, he will open a paypal case.  Paypal requires the buyer to pay return shipping.   I can't see letting him make his problem your problem because of his not opening the package for 30 days.

[kensgiftshop]

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@vintagefinds_4_you

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if you don't want to accept the return, tell buyer it's past the return period.

just because they purchased items during that time, doesn't mean they were home.

They could of had their mail held at the PO.

If you deny the return, they can always file a case with Pay Pal or their credit card.

[no_zero369]

@vintagefinds_4_you 

This is why we sellers get paid the "big bucks!"  LOL! 😂

You have a business decision to make here.

• Accept the return if  the buyer sends shirt back on their own dime.  Maybe stating you'll deduct the original shipping costs.  (you'll still lose FVFs)
• Deny the return as it missed the MBG, take the risk they file a charge back with their CC company.
• offer them a partial refund to keep the item

So there are risks which ever way you go, you get to decide what is an acceptable risk and act accordingly!

[ljmgoods]

well  wouldn't that be  nice  if  it  was  that  easy  lets not forget your dealing with e bay  wasn't that   like long ago  ,,,  that 6 employees went to court   and lost for threating 2 people on e bay for telling the truth and went to jail ..........hmmmmm. like the head of e bay didn't  know them..

[chapeau-noir]

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@vintagefinds_4_you wrote:

I offer 30 day returns. The buyer purchased a T-shirt from me and it arrived over a month ago on February 8. He just opened return request today. He said that the T-shirt smells and that it cannot be worn and he’d like to return it. The buyer also said that they were out of town for work the entire time and they never opened it, but they have received 15 feedback as a buyer for this month. I also washed the T-shirt before I sent it out. I don’t want to accept the return, but I don’t want the negative feedback. 

do I contact the buyer and mention how he has purchased several items from eBay this month? Do I mention how I wash Ed the shirt? Do I mention that it’s past the 30 day return policy. Do I ignore his request?

looking for guidance from an experienced seller who has gone through this before.

Thank you all!

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The return window has passed and you can refuse the return.  Doesn't he have a washing machine?  A negative won't hurt you, particularly if you give a reasoned calm response to assure your future buyers.

[nkpina2014]

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@no_zero369 wrote:

@vintagefinds_4_you 

This is why we sellers get paid the "big bucks!"  LOL! 😂

You have a business decision to make here.

• Accept the return if  the buyer sends shirt back on their own dime.  Maybe stating you'll deduct the original shipping costs.  (you'll still lose FVFs)
• Deny the return as it missed the MBG, take the risk they file a charge back with their CC company.
• offer them a partial refund to keep the item

So there are risks which ever way you go, you get to decide what is an acceptable risk and act accordingly!

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Personally, I dislike partial refunds, especially in a case like this. I view it as borderline extortion especially if they mention feedback. 

The buyer's time frame elapsed, and you have no idea what they actually did with the item during that time. Was it sitting in a box? Or did it take a roll in some mud? Who knows! 

In this case, I would have the buyer return the item on their own dime. If they can't do that, then they aren't serious about getting a refund. 

[no_zero369]

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@nkpina2014 wrote:

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Personally, I dislike partial refunds, especially in a case like this. I view it as borderline extortion especially if they mention feedback. 

In this case, I would have the buyer return the item on their own dime. If they can't do that, then they aren't serious about getting a refund. 

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Oh I agree, partial refunds CAN be a form of extortion.   Also, if one gets in a habit of giving partial refunds, then word could get around and everyone will expect to get an 'after the sale discount.'  One has to be careful about setting a precedent.

Now, that said, if a buyer mentions a partial refund in association with feedback, then they have committed "feedback extortion," a serious violation of eBay policy.  If that happened to me, I'd prolly stop and report the buyer.

But you make a good point if the buyer isn't willing to return the item on their own dime, they are just gaming the system.  Good thought!

[vintagefinds_4_you]

I decided to just accept return. It sold for $40 but I have virtually no money in the T-shirt. Once I get it back, I’ll just sell it again. It’s a great T-shirt and someone would love to have it.

I really didn’t want to accept the return because of my return policy. I don’t appreciate people abusing the return policy. I understand that there’s people out there who do that. In my experience, most buyers are very good to deal with. The cost of doing business, I suppose.

[no_zero369]

@vintagefinds_4_you 

Nice reply, thanks for the update!

A couple of observations, if I may be permitted? 😇

When you resell the shirt, RAISE the price!  If this dude bought it then someone else will buy it too!  Often raising the price attracts buyers for some reason.  At least make sure you make a buck or something.

Glad to see your last sentence!  This is a 'hot button' issue for me:  Returns are part of retail selling.

When I see sellers with a 'no returns' policy I suspect a seller who hasn't thought through a complete business plan.  I know because I started like that - no returns.   But hey, got run over by the MBG a few times and that taught me to manage the risks of selling.  But accepting that "returns happen" was the hardest pill for me to swallow.

Now that one has accepted that returns are the "cost of doing business" then one can set up plans for handling returns and funds to cover the associated costs.  Me?  I "tax" each sale 5% and set aside those funds in a contingency fund.  Then when returns happen, I have money set aside to pay for shipping or other costs.  Takes away the shock of scrambling around for funds. 

Anyway, hope the item comes back and you can sell it again.  Good luck with your selling!

[chapeau-noir]

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@vintagefinds_4_you wrote:

I decided to just accept return. It sold for $40 but I have virtually no money in the T-shirt. Once I get it back, I’ll just sell it again. It’s a great T-shirt and someone would love to have it.

I really didn’t want to accept the return because of my return policy. I don’t appreciate people abusing the return policy. I understand that there’s people out there who do that. In my experience, most buyers are very good to deal with. The cost of doing business, I suppose.

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That's a good solution.  I agree that the vast majority of buyers are great. 

When I was no-returns my policy to take returns was pretty flexible, but I finally got tired of fighting about it and went to 30-day buyer pays.  I used to sell a lot of unbranded clothing and I felt that it encouraged people to give my wares a try.

[lightlily_arts]

You can do what you want.   If it's a remorse return where they pay the return shipping I might accept.  However, if they filed a not as described return I would decline the return as 30 days is sufficient for a buyer to decide.  They don't get to return on my dime.  If they file with PayPal they pay the return shipping.