eBay

jason_king_zero · ‎04-10-2023

Hi,
I recently sold an item to a buyer who after receiving it is unhappy and wants a refund.
He’s stating that the item is not mint and wants to return it.
In my original listing I provided 6 sided photos of the item clearing showing the condition of the item.
No where in my listings to I ever say my items are mint condition. I just show all angles of the item and that’s it.
He bought the item and before he’s sends payment he messages me asking if the items are mint because of the price he’s paying on them.
I tell him the items are in good shape and that they will be well protected in shipping , including soft protectors, then individual bubble wrapping of each item…then all of that bubble wrapped….all of which I have photos of before I shipped.
I contacted eBay support and at first they said I should just accept the return of the item…which I have to pay for.
I didn’t agree with this so I was sent to talk to someone else.
He told me to contact the buyer with the photos of shipping proving I did everything in my power to protect the items and to wait for eBay to make a decision.
So I did that and obviously the buyer is not happy.
Upon further looking online …almost always the buyer wins these disputes. So…my question is what happens if eBay decides to side with the buyer after all this? Am I out of the proxy ring returned to me and I’m forced to fully refund? Or do that tell me to send label for return and I’m out shipping??
Thank you

jason_king_zero · ‎04-12-2023

So I offered to open a damage claim for the shipping damages and that I would accept the return of the item. And now he’s not responding back.
He’s not sending me photos of the damage so I can’t open a claim. He just sent me a close up photo of dent in a shipping box before. I asked him for more detailed photos of the actual damaged items and the box. And no reply. That’s it.

And I also agree to accept the return. I just asked him if he could get a box for the items to ship back to me. I told him I just need the dimensions of the box to create a shipping label for him. And nothing. No response.
So now I don’t know what to do. Lol

msau4301 · ‎04-12-2023

Worse case, rather than missing the deadline, use the dimensions of the box you used to send it to him.

You could message back that since you never heard from him you are assuming he is sending it back in same box and that is the size you used for return label. He may be thinking at this point he isn't sending it back and will get both the refund and still keep the item, I think this is what some buyers think the guarantee is. This is why once you send the label to him that will not be the case, ball will be in his court to send it to you. If you don't get delivery proof it was returned to you, it stops there.

If he hasn't sent photos and is not responding it may mean he never will, but if he sends it back in the same (aledgedly damaged) box you can take the photos then, and if it doesn't come back at all, won't matter since claim will be over (in your favour).

jason_king_zero · ‎04-12-2023

Got you. Thats what I was thinking. But…he just messaged me. Got all the pictures and info. So I should be good now. I’ll update the main post here to let everyone know how it all goes 😅

jason_king_zero · ‎04-12-2023

Got all the pictures and info. I’m proceeding with the plan. I’ll keep everyone updated. Hopefully it will all work out. Thanks again everyone. I’ll keep you in the loop. Cheers 🍻

snoopwiz · ‎04-12-2023

Some may disagree but, have you considered offering the PITA, lets say $20 - $25 refund to keep the item, saving you having to pay the estimated $50 to return? Ya, I know, many sellers may see that as appeasing an undeserving buyer but, its your cash we are talking about...... Food for thought.

jason_king_zero · ‎04-12-2023

I did think of that. And now I’m wondering if I should have went that route now. Trying to create a shipping label for another person in shippo is not fun. Lol

dinomitesales · ‎04-12-2023

@jason_king_zero wrote:
Thanks for your time and reply…

Omg. That’s insane. I can’t believe eBay works that way. I always thought ebay was a safe place to buy and sell. But to just always side with the buyer all the time? It’s not like I’m Costco or Wal Mart and can just take back anything all the time. I’m going to be out of pocket $50 im shipping charges alone for no good reason. Not to mention the full refund of the item( cost and shipping)
That’s wild. How to you all keep selling on eBay like this 😅. I’m stressed out now about all my listings. And I know in my heart I shouldn’t be because im very transparent with my listings and always open for communication with potential buyers. I have alot to think about I guess 😞.

It definitely shouldn't cost you $50 to have the item returned. I highly recommend using PirateShip and their 'Simple Export Rate'. That's what I used the last time I needed to provide someone with a return shipping label from the U.S. to Canada. Follow the instructions in this video (from a fellow Canadian seller): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSIsMUarO3E&t=5s

You've received a lot of good advice from people in this thread. My suggestions would be to only list items as "Brand New" if they are indeed flawless. Funko collectors can be a fickle bunch. If there's even the slightest bit of damage then list as "Used - Like New" (or whatever the next step down from "New" is in that category) and specify something like "Item is brand new, never removed from packaging, but listed as 'Used - Like New' due to small amount of wear to exterior box."

Also, accept returns. It's entirely possible that your buyer simply had buyer's remorse about this purchase but when he went to see about returning it all he saw was a big fat "No Returns Accepted" on your listing and then got sad/annoyed. He then realized the only way to return it was to claim it wasn't as described and then went out of his way to justify said reasoning, even though it might not have been entirely accurate. Some buyers may even go so far as to intentionally damage the item/packaging to help bolster their "Item Not as Described" case. Had you offered returns the buyer may have just gone through the normal return process and if they were honest would have been on the hook for return shipping.

jason_king_zero · ‎04-12-2023

Ah. Yeah I’ll definitely check that out. Didn’t realize I could offer returns. I’m generally new to selling on eBay so I usually just go through the default options. Thanks