Return request with unbelievable reasons

[rio1953]

A buyer requested to return two depression candlesticks by claiming that they seem not authentic and one is taller then the other.

I contacted eBay and the representative told to ask the buyer to prove his claim.

Why not just be truthful and say he/she didn’t want the item anymore? Probably because they would have had to pay return shipping.

We’ll see how this will work.

[femmefan1946]

He doesn't want them.

You are going to have to accept them back, so get them back in saleable condition.

You can demand a return even if you have a No Returns policy.

No Returns does not mean no refunds.

Tell him to return them for a full refund.

Don't mention a Dispute or a shipping label.

If he returns them, refund, Block his badonkadonk, and relist.

If he doesn't return them, you don't have to refund.

If he opens (or has opened) a Dispute, you will be instructed by eBay to send him return shipping.

If he is in Canada that's easy.

If he is in the USA it's more complex but quite possible. Ask here for more instructions.

If he returns them, refund, Block his badonkadonk, and relist.

If he doesn't return them, you don't have to refund.

Eventually the cost of the return shipping label will be refunded to you.

Not every sale will go perfectly.

And it's retail, not personal.

[teenytrinkets]

Totally correct.  Selling on Ebay today means anything can get returned, at your expense, no matter the reason.  Every time you sell something, you have to ask yourself whether or not it's something you can refund without return, or if you'd want it returned, and be willing to pay to return.  I've stopped selling anything to the US that I'd want returned, simply because it's too complicated and expensive to ship back. I went through that once, and would rather not experience it again. Lost so much money on that sale. 😞

Paying for shipping twice is a burn.  I will only do it on items where I think it's totally legit, or I suspect a scam - and that's usually less risk to gamble on with Canadian shipping.

I've had return requests for $10-15 items that I sent lettermail.  Yes, the return label was more expensive than the item.  So you put a smile on your face, apologize, and refund (they could've INRed me, too, so either way, they keep the product and get their money back).

If you think of it as just a cost of doing business on Ebay, you can come to terms with it much easier...

[tryubik-useonlyasdirected]

In such buyers regret requests our procedure is as follows:

Of course you may return all items, as both items are period Depression glass, please return them as sent in the original packaging, with the unique identifying tamper proof stickers present, as sent. Upon their return they shall be inspected at the counter to ascertain their presence and condition. Once returned as sent a full refund, minus shipping costs, shall be initiated as is our policy (viewable in the listing) and eBays.

This nearly always results in the buyer choosing to keep the item or paying for return shipping, as is policy.

Unless they have opened a not as described dispute case prior to the return. In which case have it returned, be courteous, ride out the refunds process, and block them loudly.