Refunding a Buyer that can't get into their account.

[tryubik-useonlyasdirected]

We experienced a once in 20 year mix-up when sending a package to a buyer over the holidays. They were helped us make sure everything was sorted out (a package was sent to them that should have gone to another buyer, and they posted it along for us). As a thank-you we promised to send them a $10 gratis refund.

The issue is that they can't access the account they purchased from us with and have been communicating with us through a separate second account opened up simply that we may communicate.

If I refund the $10 to their original purchasing account will that money go back into their personal accounts? Or would it end up in eBay account limbo?

We have zero intens of sending eBay any extra money and aren't keen to do so outside the original account either.

[reallynicestamps]

Since you have been communicating about an on-eBay transaction, you should be allowed to ask for their Paypal email.

Then send the refund directly to them, without anything going through eBay, who are not in any way involved in the problem.

[byto253]

I will be surprised if anyone has direct knowledge of the outcome in this scenario.  Since you have their physical address, perhaps send them a card with a tenner in it. 

Or ask for the paypal email and refund that way - I believe that once a sale is done you can request email addresses through ebay messages but appreciate if someone can chime in if they can confirm that either way. 

[ypdc_dennis]

If you refund to a buyer through their ebay purchase it goes back to their original purchase method that they used to buy that item. 

[ilikehockeyjerseys]

Refund through the original transaction. It will be returned to the original method of payment.

If you do offer to send a refund through a third party, make the buyer wait until the buyer protection has expired. I don't think this person is trying to scam you, but they sound disorganized. So long as the transaction is still active, they could theoretically log into their account and open an INR or INAD to get a second refund. 

Not to mention, you won't be refunded the eBay fees if you refund through a third party.