Returns-Need to vent

[makingcustomershappy]

I just need to vent somewhere before I say goodbye to ebay. I have been with ebay around 6 months now.  I've followed all the rules and put up with all the crazy fees, but now they are holding money on my paypal due to a refund of an item that hasn't even been returned yet and I have 2 things that need to be shipped and now they are late because I'm on a very tight budget and depend on my paypal for shipping. The return, well I have communicated with the buyer with no problem in refunding the item, even though I don't agree with his reason, I am refunding his money. If I had a bad record with ebay on anything, I would maybe understand this, but they have no reason to think I will not pay this refund. I recently had another refund with no problems. Anyway, I needed to vent because this is wrong and I really don't want to be a part of it no more. As soon as the return is sent, I will be closing my account.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this.

[b86fiero]

Sorry to hear you have discovered one of the many pitfalls to selling online.

Paypal is holding money from your account to reimburse your buyer on a return item.  Paypal is holding the money, not eBay.

How would you feel if it was you returning an item and the seller couldn't refund your money because they had already spent it elsewhere?

It sounds like you transfer money out of your Paypal account soon after it arrives and do not leave a cushion to cover returns, partial refunds or future shipping costs.  The old saying "It takes money to make money" is certainly true, especially when you are responsible for shipping paid purchases to your buyers.

You stated that you recently made another refund.  And now you have two shipments that will be late because you depend on your seemingly empty Paypal account to cover shipping.  That does not bode well for you as an eBay seller.  Too many late shipments and you won't have to worry about leaving eBay - eBay will leave you.

As a seller you cannot just close your account at the drop of a hat.  Read the eBay policy about closing an account.

As to the two late shipments -- how would you feel if YOU were the buyer, paid for the item AND the shipping -- then the seller didn't send your item because they took your money to pay back somebody else? 

Do the right thing.  Borrow the few dollars from a friend or family member and ship those two innocent buyer's merchandise.  

Your ID making customers happy - well, get to it!

[couldabeenworse]

I understand being on a tight budget, but i can also see how paypal needs to hold funds once there is a claim started.  I'm sure many a seller bailed on their accounts with a negative balance.   If you can find the funding, it would be in everybody's best interests to ship those remaining orders on time.

Good luck; maybe you can make it work again when there's a little more cushion in the finances.

[orangehound]

Any business, including an on-line business, requires some level of cash reserves (or a credit line).  I keep 200-300 at a minimum in my PayPal account just to cover the ebbs and flows of e-commerce.

[pargran3]

I understand the tight budget concern, but this is how it is. I have been here for years and recently had an item not received claim (wrong claim, it was a damaged item but that is neither here nor there). The amount of that entire payment was on hold until the matter was resolved.

Radine

[makingcustomershappy]

I want to thank everyone who has replied, you guys have really helped me with this problem, all of you were very honest with me and I appreicate that. I know your right and this helps me deal with and learn from this situation. Sure does help having a community board, I learned that today. Thanks again, Debbie