Returns

[72hourauctions]

I had a buyer return a cake pan because she said it was not 8" as advertised.  She opned a case and added a picture showing the pan was 7 1/2" but she measured from the bottom.  Cake pans are always measured on the top and I told her this but ebay decided whith the buyer and now I have to absorb the cost of shipping both ways, about $16.  Is this fair?  Can I show a picture to ebay proving that it was indeed 8"?  Can ebay reverse the decision?

[orangehound]

If this were me, this is such a low-dollar item that I would (a) accept the return request and the buyer keeps the item, (b) make the refund, and then (c) go into my closed returns and report the buyer for abusing the MBG program.

But, if you have lots of time and want to play a game ...

1. Hold off on approving the return until the last minute.
2. Politely communicate with the buyer, saying that you understand she is disappointed in the purchase.  Then asking her to clarify what she thinks is wrong with the item because you want happy customers and you want to do better at describing items ... was she expecting, for example, the pans to be 8" at the top and 8" at the bottom?  Was the bottom measurement of 7-1/2" the important measure for her?
3. If, in the dialog, it becomes clear that it is a remorse return ... then you can contact eBay for help.  Otherwise, follow the first advice I gave.

(Seriously, eBay needs to fix the return process ... the pendulum is swung waaaaaaaaaay too far to the buyer's advantage right now).

[mr_lincoln]

@72hourauctions  I suggest taking it back and absorb the loss and try to re-sell.  I just had one on a vintage cast iron skillet ... Auction that bid up to $ 192.50 ... the item packed was about 9 lbs so shipping was not cheap ... I added Signature at my cost too.

Anyway, to make a long dull and boring story short ... Buyer simply did not want it, used a lame excuse about an issue with it ... okay, I told them I would pay to return it, I want it back so I can re-sell it.  I chose to eat the return shipping which wasn't cheap but its back undamaged and I will try to Sell it to recover some of the loss. 

It happens ...

[rwcj6034]

I alway add the buyer to my block list so I never have to deal with that type of person again

[missjen831]

Since the cake pan has been returned and eBay sided with the buyer, what’s done is done. You also got an unresolved by seller strike since you lose the case. All you can do is report be buyer for abusing the money back guarantee. You have to eat the loss on shipping both ways.

[missjen831]

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@ellis61 wrote:

If this were me, this is such a low-dollar item that I would (a) accept the return request and the buyer keeps the item, (b) make the refund, and then (c) go into my closed returns and report the buyer for abusing the MBG program.

But, if you have lots of time and want to play a game ...

1. Hold off on approving the return until the last minute.
2. Politely communicate with the buyer, saying that you understand she is disappointed in the purchase.  Then asking her to clarify what she thinks is wrong with the item because you want happy customers and you want to do better at describing items ... was she expecting, for example, the pans to be 8" at the top and 8" at the bottom?  Was the bottom measurement of 7-1/2" the important measure for her?
3. If, in the dialog, it becomes clear that it is a remorse return ... then you can contact eBay for help.  Otherwise, follow the first advice I gave.

(Seriously, eBay needs to fix the return process ... the pendulum is swung waaaaaaaaaay too far to the buyer's advantage right now).

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@orangehound How does this help the OP now? She already lost the case.......and even if she hadn’t lost the case, the buyer isn’t required to answer a bunch of questions, provide clarification or pictures and eBay isn’t going to hold it against the buyer. 

[chrysylys]

I just measured mine.  It is 8" at the top (open end) and about 7 3/8 at the bottom due to the tapered sides.  How much is your time worth?  You could try appealing their decision if you think you can convince them this is an industry standard measurement.  I'm not sure you'd really accomplish anything though.

[sam9876]

Why did you add Signature Confirmation?

[couldabeenworse]

report the buyer for abusing the MBG program

lol.  I wonder if there's a way to report sellers for abusing the " report the buyer" function?

Seriously, this looks like an honest misunderstanding, not some diabolical scheme.  I'd block the buyer, refund, relist, and thank heavens that so few of my buyers are dunces.