Refunded a sale because of slow USPS = No sales

[mooretomatoes]

I always post my stuff to sell on Ebay on Friday afternoon to be shipped out on Monday.  Most of my sales are on Sunday.  I have never had a weekend when I didn't sell anything.  I have been selling on ebay for over 2 years. 

On August 9th, I had a total of 11 orders sent out, all labels purchased through ebays shipping with USPS.  I shipped them off that same day.  The packages were all received and scanned.  I always keep my receipts.

On August 14th, I had a buyer that hadn't received their shipment yet and requested a full refund.  Ebay suggested in the message the I should refund the buyer, so I did.  Ebay took out the full $29.99 out of my account, the purchase price, but I actually only received $26.07 after Ebay fees (not including shipping).

On Monday, August 16th, the buyer received the package according to USPS.  

Last weekend I didn't sell anything!

Why did Ebay tell the buyer they could get their money back if they didn't receive it within 4 days, especially since they know I bought the shipping label through them?  I had the package scanned when I dropped it off at the Post Office, the same day I bought the label.  USPS was slow, not me!

Why did Ebay take out the total purchase price from my account?  They took out the full price of $29.99 out of my banking account, but they only deposited 26.07 for the sale.

Why did I not sell anything last weekend?  That has never happened in the two years I have been selling.  Do you think that might have been a coincidence?   Or could somehow I could have been flagged?

Last weekend my impressions are also down 75%.

Thank you for your advice, experience or just reading,

Tina

PS:  Yesterday and today I was revamping my listing.   I am going to sell more days out of the week with different descriptions.  Maybe a change will also help.  I did have a sale yesterday (yay!)

[toysaver]

If you're shipping First Class it is no longer a given it will be recieved in a few days, it can take a week or two.  The PO is not what it once was.   IMO Priority is the only viable option, especially if what you're sending is alive.

[dbfolks166mt]

     If the buyer filed an INR case you have 3 days to respond prior to eBay closing the case and refunding the buyer. Generally all you have to do is upload the tracking information that shows the package is in transit. I know this seems stupid since eBay already has that information in the order. 

     I am not sure who at eBay told you to refund the buyer but if you talked with customer support their knowledge level these days is dismal at best. Since the package shows as being delivered you can contact the buyer and maybe they will be kind enough to pay you now that they have the item. If not there is little you can do at this point. 

     As far as the amount originally deposited to your account under MP eBay deducts the fees prior to transferring the funds into your bank account. The refunded the buyer the full amount because eBay is going to keep their fees so you are basically out the cost of the item any shipping you paid and the fees you paid to eBay. 

     As to why you have no sales for last weekend that is a different topic in and of itself but it is most likely not related to the INR. 

[fern*wood]

A buyer should receive a full refund, but if you handled this through the case, it should show your actual out of pocket in your financial summary as the net amount you first received.  Ebay will refund the fees which makes up the balance to the buyer.  You don't lose them.

BUT, you don't need to refund on an item not received case the minute you get one.  You have some time before that would be necessary, and most often the item arrives during that window.  The case should have spelled out the timing for you.  Refunding is only one option, but since you had tracking you needed to enter that and watch the dates as defined in the case.

[mooretomatoes]

I have been shipping them for over 2 years.  Trust me I do love them!

[mooretomatoes]

Ebay sent this to me in part of the message:

"To resolve the request, please confirm tracking details. If you don't have tracking details that show delivery, please consider refunding the buyer. We’ll credit the variable portion of the final value fee if you issue a refund."

Again, "Please consider refunding the buyer.  We'll credit the variable portion of the final value fee if you issue a refund."

Yep I was told to refund the buyer.  That was on a Saturday.  He received it on Monday.

[mooretomatoes]

This was ebays request:

"To resolve the request, please confirm tracking details. If you don't have tracking details that show delivery, please consider refunding the buyer. We’ll credit the variable portion of the final value fee if you issue a refund."

It was not delivered on Saturday when I issued a refund as suggested by Ebay!  It was delivered Monday.

[katzrul15]

@mooretomatoes 

You can touchpoint e-Bay's customer service and ask for an extension to the INR claim, especially if the tracking shows recent movement.

So very sorry that you refunded and now it is delivered.  Some Buyers are willing to re-pay.  Especially honest ones.  Have you reached out to your Buyer with an invoice for their order? Unfortunately, they are under no obligation to re-pay, but we've had it happen and the Buyer has offered to pay us once delivered.

Good luck!

[mooretomatoes]

Thank you for not throwing my issues back in my face when asking questions.  I really appreciate it.  I will as the buyer how his delivery went besides the USPS issues.

Thank you katz,

Tina