Return request for item that hasn't been delivered yet. Did I handle it correctly?

[fryeguy211]

Received a return request this morning.  The buyers pacakge hasn't even been delivered yet but they are claiming it's defective and won't work with their existing system so they don't have to pay the return shipping cost.

I sent them a kind message asking them to refuse / return the pacakge upon delivery to the Post Office and once I receive it back I will issue them a refund.

Did I handle this correctly?

[gkyn29]

Depends. You will get stuck with the bill for the refused return shipping charge for the item. From your OP, doesn't seem like you are aware of this.

So...if you offer free returns, yes, I guess the result is the same.

If not, no, you are being way too nice. YOU SHOULD NEVER GIVE INTO PAYING RETURN SHIPPING for what amounts to buyer remorse/didn't read the description until AFTER scenarios.

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@gkyn29 wrote:

Depends. You will get stuck with the bill for the refused return shipping charge for the item. From your OP, doesn't seem like you are aware of this.

So...if you offer free returns, yes, I guess the result is the same.

If not, no, you are being way too nice. YOU SHOULD NEVER GIVE INTO PAYING RETURN SHIPPING for what amounts to buyer remorse/didn't read the description until AFTER scenarios.

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thats only true depending on how it was shipped.  for example parcel post yes the seller would be responsible for the cost to return.  It it was priority mail they won't have to pay any return cost.

[gkyn29]

Thanks for the clarification. Actual policy regarding refused mail can be found here.

1.1.2 and 1.1.3  https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/508.htm

[fryeguy211]

Looks like Ebay opened a case on my behalf, closed it in the buyers favor, and issued them a return label about two hours later of asking the buyer to refuse the package.   I did not ask Ebay to do this for me.  All I can do now is refund the buyer when I receive the pacakge back.

My question now is, who's pays for this return label if the buyer uses it instead of refusing the package and I'm I going to receive a defect.

[myangelandmyprincess]

since they chose defective as a reason for the return you'd pay for the label.  they have five business days to use the label to return it.  since it hasn't even been delivered yet that gives them less time to comply to that.  If it's not returned in those five days call ebay to close the case.  about all you can do at this point.

[babalu20]

Lads and lassies - eBay sellers are truly living in a bizarro world. Returns approved for 'defective' items not yet delivered and cha-ching - sellers also pay for the return. Can it get any better than this?

[2behappyall]

Can a buyer files claim "Item is defective" before the item delivered? The answer is NO. How can a person claims "Defective" when he not even see the item?
However, the buyer can and allow to ask you to cancel the order before it arrived. Now you have 2 choices: (1) Said NO, then the buyer waits until the item arrived and destroyed it and then claim for "Defective" and return for a full refund from Ebay, you have no voice; or (2) said YES, the buyer will refuses, when the item arrived. the item will return back to you with additional charges in most cases. Now, you have to pay for shipping charges plus return charges; and refund the full amount for the buyer, you lose money for nothing, none of your fault. That is the Ebay rules. As a seller, you are a loser in any way, shape and form. Good Luck

[2behappyall]

If the buyer refuses to accept the item when it arrived, then the carrier will return it back to you with additional charges in most cases. You must pay for both shipping and return charges for nothing. You are still lucky, you get back the same item you sent.

[2behappyall]

Don't worry, the payment for the item was on hold by PayPal and you cannot touch it. No one asks you to refund, but it decides by PayPal and/or Ebay without asking you. Means, they don't care you agree or not.

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@fryeguy211 wrote:

Looks like Ebay opened a case on my behalf, closed it in the buyers favor, and issued them a return label about two hours later of asking the buyer to refuse the package.   I did not ask Ebay to do this for me.  All I can do now is refund the buyer when I receive the pacakge back.

My question now is, who's pays for this return label if the buyer uses it instead of refusing the package and I'm I going to receive a defect.

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[vintagecraze50]

Absolutely ridiculous pay for return shipping on a what? SNAD where the item was not even delivered and inspected. 

[vintagecraze50]

This has got to be some kind of technical error. Has the OP called Ebay to have them look at this situation?

[vintagecraze50]

Ok, yes if you offer free returns. Forgot about that.

[ed8108]

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@babalu20 wrote:

Lads and lassies - eBay sellers are truly living in a bizarro world. Can it get any better than this?

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 EBay has become a world unto itself.

[missjen831]

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@fryeguy211 wrote:

Looks like Ebay opened a case on my behalf, closed it in the buyers favor, and issued them a return label about two hours later of asking the buyer to refuse the package.   I did not ask Ebay to do this for me.  All I can do now is refund the buyer when I receive the pacakge back.

My question now is, who's pays for this return label if the buyer uses it instead of refusing the package and I'm I going to receive a defect.

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If you asked eBay to step in, you asked them to open a case. And you pay for the return label and yes you get an unresolved by seller defect since you asked eBay to handle this for you.