eBay

teenytrinkets · ‎12-21-2022

Not really sure what I do in this situation...

I sold an item within Canada, shipped it the next day (with tracking), and it's a day or two from being delivered.

The buyer decides 10 days after purchase that they can get a better price, and initiates a return with that reason.

I get a return notice (automatically approved by eBay) that I can refund now, or wait until the item is returned to me. But if the buyer doesn't ship the item back by Jan 18, Ebay states they "may close the return automatically and you will not be required to refund the buyer. "

I'm guessing they'll do a "return to sender" to avoid paying postage for the return (considering the item is $35 and postage is $20+). But who knows!

There's no place in the return request for me to respond, so I'm not sure what to do here (if anything)?

Can ebay close this case in the Buyers favor if I don't take some sort of action?

reallynicestamps · ‎12-21-2022

Well, you can refund it now-- and the buyer would be on his honour to return (or refuse) the purchase.

Or you could wait until he returns the purchase and refund then.

That seems like an easy choice.

Here's a cute side effect of his refusing the shipment.

If a shipment is Undeliverable, for example if it is refused, eBay does not require the seller to refund anything.

https://www.ebay.ca/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy?....

Not that it would be ethical ... but ... sometimes you just wanna see someone annoying sweat.

And of course, if it is refused, you would as an ethical seller, refund. But you could certainly refund only the purchase price, less your costs, like the eBay fees, taxes on those fees, and your shipping costs including packaging.

pjcdn2005 · ‎12-21-2022

If the return has definitely been automatically approved than all you can do is wait for it to be returned. It's been a while since I've had one but I think that I was able to check off to return for refund or to refund now. If you don't have that option then there is no action that you can take...they do seem to change things around so it is always showing the same options.

They won't get refunded until there is delivery confirmation showing that it has been received by you. If they just send it back return to sender I'm not sure how that shows up on eBay tracking wise. If they paid for original shipping than you should have the option of holding that amount back when you refund.

If there is no record of it being sent back then ebay will close the return but they usually give the buyer more time. I think that January 18th is a bit ridiculous, that's almost a month for them to get it in the mail.

teenytrinkets · ‎12-22-2022

Yeah, waiting until January 18th is pretty ridiculous. I'm guessing the buyer will just refuse delivery and immediately return it - which means I'm on the hook for return shipping. I shipped with ChitChats, but return shipping will be with CP and automatically charged (likely ~$25 - $30) The item is only worth $35. Everybody loses in this scenario... what a waste.

This is what happens when buyers don't communicate with their sellers, and just open requests. Shame.

ilikehockeyjerseys · ‎12-22-2022

If they refuse the shipment they are not eligible for buyer protection.

Wait until the item is returned to you and get all your ducks in a row such as how much the return shipping cost you after the buyer refused the item. Contact the eBay for business Facebook/Twitter with an outline of what happened.

I don't know whether they will step in and close the return, or if they will offer to cover the refund to the buyer. They might allow you to issue a partial refund minus the return shipping costs. If they allow you to straight up close the return, I would refund the buyer the difference between the cost of the item and what you were charged for the return shipping.

You could always reach out to the buyer (via eBay's messsaging system if you cannot in the return) and ask them about the return reason, while politely reminding them that they would be on the hook for a return label, or if they refuse the package the carrier's return costs. If they understand this, they might realize that the return makes no sense for them, and they will close it. It would save the both of you a lot of hassle.

In a best case scenario, you might only be charged $5 by Chit Chats, but that's not guaranteed. I have had returns from them via USPS (not Canada Post) and I wasn't charged return shipping. I was only charged a $5 fee for Chit Chats processing the return.

femmefan1946 · ‎12-22-2022

If an item is returned as Undeliverable, does the sender pay for return shipping, though?

I've had returns because I didn't have enough stamps on the envelope, but all I had to do was add more stamps and toss it back in the mail. My error not the recipients.

You could always reach out to the buyer (via eBay's messsaging system if you cannot in the return) and ask them about the return reason, while politely reminding them that they would be on the hook for a return label, or if they refuse the package the carrier's return costs.

I agree.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎12-22-2022

@teenytrinkets wrote:
Not really sure what I do in this situation...

I sold an item within Canada, shipped it the next day (with tracking), and it's a day or two from being delivered.

The buyer decides 10 days after purchase that they can get a better price, and initiates a return with that reason.

I get a return notice (automatically approved by eBay) that I can refund now, or wait until the item is returned to me. But if the buyer doesn't ship the item back by Jan 18, Ebay states they "may close the return automatically and you will not be required to refund the buyer. "

I'm guessing they'll do a "return to sender" to avoid paying postage for the return (considering the item is $35 and postage is $20+). But who knows!

There's no place in the return request for me to respond, so I'm not sure what to do here (if anything)?

Can ebay close this case in the Buyers favor if I don't take some sort of action?

@teenytrinkets

A little follow up for a recent situation.

I had a shipment go to just outside of Ottawa. Was able to get it in a prepaid small box. Shipped to address that arrived with order. When I noticed it had arrived but was carded for pick up(5 days) messaged buyer and advised. After a few days they let me know they moved without updating their address on ca. (They had updated on com. Guess they are not linked in the scheme of things.) Their new address was 1 hour away. They let me know they would make arrangements to pick up. Waited due course of time. Was and is still showing as follows using eBay tracking with no updated information regarding status. eBay holds for customer 5 days + 10 calendar days (max) and then returns.

Dec 8, 2022
3:16am
Item in transit
OTTAWA, ON K1A 0C1
Dec 8, 2022
12:16am
Item processed
OTTAWA, ON K1A 0C1
Dec 7, 2022
6:12pm
Item cannot be delivered; more details to be provided
RICHMOND, ON K0A 2Z0

According to CP tracking it shows as a duplicate PIN with no further info attached. After approx. 1 week item turned up in my community mailbox marked unclaimed. 0.00 due. From past experience RTS were carded for pick up with amount owing. No guarantees this will happen in your situation. I've messaged my buyer and asked how they would like to proceed but have had nothing in the way of follow up.

Why it would definitely be helpful if eBay did a bit more to verify customers addresses were all hunky dory. Not really sure how much more they can do.

-Lotz

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎12-22-2022

A portion of these messes falls back on eBay's decision to remove VALID standard email addresses with the order information. For Canadian orders a home or cell number (not necessarily valid) is posted to the label when label is created with eBay Labels/Shippo. (At sellers discretion if labels are created manually). For US/Intl orders the garbled eBay email addy is included to customs docs along with a phone number (when available). According to international postal customs (It's on their website) as a back up a valid email address and/or cell number are suggested when there are issues. Because not all eBay type mail may arrive due to filters/spam blockers this can cause issues with this mail being seen by the buyer.

Because of these eBay internal decisions, this can cause an order problems with final delivery or even being refused and returned at sellers expense when in principle the seller has done nothing wrong. Disclaimer: As I understand it refused does not protect the buyer, returned does not.

-Lotz

msmaggie060 · ‎12-22-2022

Just received an item returned as undeliverable. Buyer didn't add her unit no. to her eBay address. Since it the holiday season I just repackaged and add another 1.94 stamp and re-mailed it. Anyway, didn't get charged any return postage by Canada Post. It was lettermail within Canada.

flipistics · ‎12-22-2022

@msmaggie060 wrote:
Just received an item returned as undeliverable. Buyer didn't add her unit no. to her eBay address. Since it the holiday season I just repackaged and add another 1.94 stamp and re-mailed it. Anyway, didn't get charged any return postage by Canada Post. It was lettermail within Canada.

Earlier this year I had a CD come back to me 8 months after I sent it out. I suspect someone probably moved and had their mail held, then forgot to forward it. I wasn't charged for the return postage. Sold it again 3 days after reposting it for more than I got originally. 😀