returns/refunds

[anlyon-0]

I recently sold for less than half its full value an item that was in perfect condition to someone who claimed that there was a problem with it, and wanted to return for a refund.  No pictures of any problem were submitted, and I know the item was in perfect condition when I shipped it.  I also purchased additional insurance for shipping the item since it is a little fragile.  I mentioned all of this in a response to the buy, but they did not respond.  After the eBay required timeframe, eBay contacted me that the buyer is allowed to return the item for refund and I must pay the shipping to return it.  My question is:  if the item is received by me and is not in that same perfect condition when I shipped it, do I have any recourse?  This situation has really turned me sour on eBay so I probably will end all my current listings and will no longer do business here.  When a buyer can lie and have no consequence, and the seller has to bear all financial responsibility, that's not a good situation for me.

[fatfinggers]

Your package may have been damaged in transit.  The postal service is very rough on packages.  Insurance is good if the package is lost BUT they rarely pay a damaged claim.  They'll say that it wasn't packed properly.

[anlyon-0]

Based on what the buyer said, I don't think it was damaged in transit... the buyer didn't provide any photos or documentation to support anything. Honestly, I think the buyer had a change of heart afterwards and just wanted a refund. I don't think there was any damage.

[stuff4divas]

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@anlyon-0 wrote:

I recently sold for less than half its full value an item that was in perfect condition to someone who claimed that there was a problem with it, and wanted to return for a refund.  No pictures of any problem were submitted, and I know the item was in perfect condition when I shipped it.  I also purchased additional insurance for shipping the item since it is a little fragile.  I mentioned all of this in a response to the buy, but they did not respond.  After the eBay required timeframe, eBay contacted me that the buyer is allowed to return the item for refund and I must pay the shipping to return it.  My question is:  if the item is received by me and is not in that same perfect condition when I shipped it, do I have any recourse?  This situation has really turned me sour on eBay so I probably will end all my current listings and will no longer do business here.  When a buyer can lie and have no consequence, and the seller has to bear all financial responsibility, that's not a good situation for me.

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https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behavior-policies/condition-returned-items-policy?id=4763#...

[anlyon-0]

I'm aware of the policies and guidelines for selling, and my experience is that selling through eBay can be costly, so I've removed all my items, will sell whatever I can locally and donate the rest...no worries and no expense.

[stuff4divas]

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@anlyon-0 wrote:

I'm aware of the policies and guidelines for selling, and my experience is that selling through eBay can be costly, so I've removed all my items, will sell whatever I can locally and donate the rest...no worries and no expense.

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Sorry, I was only trying to help 😞

[anlyon-0]

No worries...you're fine. I'm just not happy with the way eBay handled this transaction. I tried to work with the buyer, but that apparently wasn't taken into consideration.

[luxgoods]

Unfortunately this happens quite often.  I feel your pain.  Ebay treats its sellers very poorly.  If you make a purchase on Ebay and have buyers remorse, the seller is going to pay through the nose.  We as sellers have no recourse.  Eventually, this is going to change when the geniuses at ebay understand that we the sellers are the backbone of the platform.

[theteamsetguy]

Whether you like it or not until other retailers like Target, Walmart, Home Depot and ect. change their return policies buyers are going to expect that they can return things even when they change their minds. I'm not a big seller but I'm able to absorb the cost of returns as a cost of doing business. As I stated before I firmly believe in the golden rule the customer is always right even though they are not some times. This is why I offer free returns. I know one return for a seller that sells 10 items a month is bigger deal than for someone like me who sells a couple of hundred items a month.

[anlyon-0]

I hear you...eBay isn't a good option for small sellers like myself who have only a few items, not brand new to sell at "give-away" prices. This single transaction will negate all the others I had, so I won't be listing anything else.

[mkaczorsee]

Have you actually received the item back?

There is the possibility the buyer will not return the item and was only looking for a partial refund. 

[anlyon-0]

I have not received the item nor a tracking number for it - only the message from eBay letting me know the item will be returned and that I need to refund the buyer for the purchase and both shipping and return shipping costs, and that will be done through my paypal account.  Once the buyer claimed there was a problem, I offered several other options, but the buyer never responded back.  I honestly think the buyer simply had a change of heart, made up a problem so it could be returned.

[i-discounts]

your taking a big chance of losing money with every item when selling on eBay,Sellers have no rights unless you have to call eBay for every return to explain your situation, the results 50/50, Me as a seller, i do not accept returns unless the item was not described correctly,but my prices are much lower then the market,and i do charge shipping on may items, still i can sell 10 to 50 items per week, and have 2% returns a month or none,over all, eBay is not for small sellers , easily can be crushed with eBay policies, hard to survive...and i hope this will change soon.