Return Process, when not sent back?

[byto253]

I have a return request that I accepted.  The deadline to ship it back was yesterday, and at the deadline the buyer inputted that it had been shipped back, but did not provide a tracking number.  99.5% sure this was not true and it will not be returned.   What is the process if I don't get it back and want to close out the return without a refund.

A bit of background, they ordered a turntable part for a specific brand and model of turntable and I shipped it out the next day - my stated shipping time is 2 days.  4 days later they message asking for me to cancel, as they were told by someone it would work on their different brand of turntable and now they don't think it will.   Wish they had contacted me as the brand and model they have is waaaay off and I would have told them it would not fit. 

As I had already shipped I told them a cancellation was not possible.   After it was received they requested a return with the following message, in which they flat out lied.

"Reason for return

Doesn't fit

Comments

Please give me a free return shipping label. Before the item shipped I decided to cancel the order please the item is too small not fit in my device. I ll attach a picture showing your small item compared to what I needed. Sorry for the inconvenience. thanks"

Anyway, it is a $17 part and they found out the return shipping will be about $10-$12 and are not happy but I am not budging.  Their error, their responsible for return shipping.  

Now the latest is them saying at the last minute that it was shipped, but no tracking number.

All ebay is showing is the next step is for me to refund.

"Refund the buyer
The item should already have been delivered. Please inspect the item carefully upon receipt and issue a refund to the buyer by Sep 19."

If/when I do not get the item back, should I contact eBay and ask to have it closed as there is no return?  I am concerned that eBay autobot will just issue the refund as I don't see any spot to indicate that the item has not been returned. 

Edit:  I clicked on "Report a Problem" and these are the options...

 

Thanks

[pjcdn2005]

None of those choices can be used because the item hasn't been returned yet.  Note that the message says 'it should have been delivered'.  They always send that message out even if there is no tracking.  It's annoying and confusing.  I've received those messages myself and just ignored them.  Eventually if eBay does not see tracking showing delivery, they will close the return but I'm not sure of the exact time frame.   

Was the part small enough for them to mail it via lettermail without tracking?  Where are they located? $10 - $12 seems low for tracking within Canada or from the US?

[byto253]

It is a small item that I sent letter mail is a card. I have a stash of blank cards for items like this. I am guessing at $12, not sure what shipping back from the US is.

[reallynicestamps]

You sent Return Shipping to the buyer?

Or was the buyer told to return on his own dime?

Anyway, it is a $17 part and they found out the return shipping will be about $10-$12 and are not happy but I am not budging. Their error, their responsible for return shipping.

Not all shipping methods are tracked, and if the buyer was paying for shipping, he may have decided not to pay extra for that.

That being said, if eBay told you to pay for return shipping and you don't, the buyer will be refunded and is allowed to keep the purchase.

That he seems to have bought postage himself, allows you to enter that he has not given a tracking number and delivery has not yet been accomplished.   Put that into the Claim, but remember at this point, it is completely being handled by robots.

You may have to refund (voluntarily) and appeal.

Fingers and toes crossed.

[byto253]

No, I was never on the hook with eBay for shipping.  It was a standard return request, buyer's choice, not a claim due to condition issues.   They admitted they ordered the wrong part in messaging.   I spoke to eBay before accepting the return and they indicated I did not have to accept it, and the buyer had to return it for a refund. 

The buyer may have sent it by lettermail, but I am doubting it from their actions, dishonesty and communication to date.   If I do get it I will refund, I just wondered how it works if I do not get it back by the Sept. 19 deadline .  I am leery of the bots!

[recped]

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@byto253 wrote:

If I do get it I will refund, I just wondered how it works if I do not get it back by the Sept. 19 deadline .  I am leery of the bots!

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All returns work the same way,  buyer is given a date, when the date passes eBay closes the return, just be aware that it might take eBay a couple of weeks (probably 30 days after the request was opened).

If the return shows up you refund the buyer, if the return never shows up you forget about it.

If the buyer actually sent it back without tracking they are entirely reliant on your goodness, eBay will not refund them.