Pending International Return Request

[crittercreations4u]

Hello eBay community!

I've been selling on eBay for a couple years. Most of my sales were done domestically but I've never steered away from International buyers as I never had too many problems with them. However, I do have one particular problem with a buyer from New Zealand. They bought an item from me and open a return request on June 9. They provided pictures and an explanation and I was ready to proceed with the return request via eBay.

I opened the requesto for return and followed the steps provided by eBay. I looked through this community forum and found a few sellers whom went through the same thing but I didn't know how to proceed on the Return Label step. Apparently eBay doesn't provide a return label for International sales and it stated to contact buyer to arrange return shipping. I immediately contacted the buyer via eBay messages on June 9 and the buyer didn't respond till June 12. The request is closed on June 14.

In my messages I stated that I'm unable to provide a return label but I'm willingly to work through Paypal to give her the funds in order to send the item back to Hawaii. The buyer finally messaged me back 3 days after my previous message stating that they would like to NOT process this through Paypal but rather they give me their bank information. The buyer also wanted Full refund (on the item and the original shipping) along with the cost of return shipping.

I emailed the buyer back (professionally) and told them I'm unable to process any type of transaction outside of eBay or Paypal. The buyer didn't even add the part where they were going to take the steps to return the item. I've contacted eBay customer support and the technician advised me to let the return request expire on June 14. I'm just slightly overwhelmed at the situation as I feel like I'm taking the approriate steps as a seller. If anyone has any advice or has been through an International return recently I will gladly appreciate it!

Aloha,

crittercreations4u

[tarpedge]

@green-night

[arun7500 · Accepted solution]

Your putting to much thought into this.  If the case is closed leave it alone, and whatever the issue, NEVER call eBay for help. You might as well just shoot yourself in the foot and call your local bakery for help.

If for some reason, you feel the need to take that extra step and provide assistance to your buyer in the shipping charges, make sure you know what your paying for. Access the NZ Post and find out what something costs to return, send the money via Paypal and most importantly, as a payment for Goods and services, never as cash. If the buyer doesn't use the money for the return shipping (delivery confirmation) within 7 days, file an INR with PayPal.

Unfortunately, as it is now, we have stopped selling to the US/EU, because of ebay's return policy and the utter lack of knowledge and varying enforcement that their CSR's use in implementing this. Seems the whole world knows , that if you don't get what you ordered, you get your money back.

[crittercreations4u]

Morty14,

Thanks for the reply. I think I'll follow what you said and just leave it alone. But I'll also look into NZ post office website and see what it cost to send the item back.  Thank you again for your advice. 😄

[callahanmagic]

@crittercreations4u ... + others who have posted and a solution was given.

Please excuse me for entering into this thread at the end.

This is based on my own recent encounter. Not with NZ, but, with Glasgow, UK.

Buyer email regarding wanting to return item due to fit issue.

I advised/walk buyer through to Open a Return/Choosing Reason: Did Not Fit

via eBay Return System.

Since Reason is "Did not Fit" - the buyer will bear Return Postage.

Meanwhile, the system gives the timeline of when Item should be return for 

refund.

Within the stated timeline - the item was safely return to my possession.

Refunded through the Return System - minus the pre-set 20% restocking fee +

the original shipping costs.  Case closed with no mishap for both sides.

1) " I opened the requesto for return and followed the steps provided by eBay .." @crittercreations4u

I assumed this is a typo error, yes?  Buyer, instead of You initiated a return request via eBay return system. 

2) "unable to provide a return label but I'm willingly to work through Paypal to give her the funds in order to send the item back to Hawaii. The buyer finally messaged me back 3 days after my previous message stating that they would like to NOT process this through Paypal but rather they give me their bank information. The buyer also wanted Full refund (on the item and the original shipping) along with the cost of return shipping.

I emailed the buyer back (professionally) and told them I'm unable to process any type of transaction outside of eBay or Paypal. " @crittercreations4u

I agreed to let the return timeout, if no further messages from your buyer.  

You have done the necessary steps to address this particular return issue - of which

I take it to be SNAD reason - since you're willing to cover return shipping costs too.

Lucas

*still rollin' with the punches*

[crittercreations4u]

Thank you for your reply. It good to hear reassuring advice from fellow seller. No worries on the post, despite marking this as solved I wouldn't mind hearing from seller who are going through a situation like this. Thank you again!