eBay

thebookcompany22 · ‎08-26-2022

Short V:

Sold an item, they claimed it wasn't as described, I spoke to eBay and they issued sellers protection with the assurance that they'd handle it all pls remove the -refund hold. Filed it as a false claim as well.

Then got a message from eBay saying they awarded the case to the buyer and issues a full refund. So much for sellers protection [ultimately eBay never sent an email so they issued a manual refund of what was taken from account - win]

I tried to purchase a label via eBay however, the time period elapsed as the cases closed.

I have messaged the buyer a few times with no response.

eBay told me today that they don't get involved after a point but, will document - flag buyer, do a review and possibly take actions.

Still no response from buyer.

Sent a final message to buyer today stating that they have till [date] to respond and/or share the tracking code or I will escalate this by reporting the items stolen.

Now, keep in mind I have the individuals phone number and could just call them come that time. I'd rather keep it all on the platform.

What would you suggest?

Is this too far?

It's a $750 order [*11x leather books]

[ I mentioned that I'd be doing this a few times with eBay support and they mentioned they're indifferent as they can only do much. ]

Open to any feedback, suggestions and alternative ideas.

flipistics · ‎08-27-2022

If eBay has now made you whole, I'd personally just be happy with the sale and move on. I don't think you'd have any hope of getting anywhere with police reports, etc. In fact, if the buyer did somehow return the books now and eBay found out, eBay would have a right to take the money back that they reimbursed you for their mistake (or most of it) since you would now have the merchandise again. If I'm understanding the events right, it might be best to let sleeping dogs lie.

You should probably block them from buying from you.

marnotom! · ‎08-28-2022

If you still have the money from the sale, it’s unreasonable and likely unethical to be able to regain possession of the books. You can’t keep both the books *and* the money you received for them. That’s a bit like taking the buyer’s money and not sending the merchandise.

And, yes, it's neither reasonable nor ethical to receive a refund for an item that's not being returning, but that's not the question you posed.

pjcdn2005 · ‎08-29-2022

@thebookcompany22 wrote:
What I learned from this is .. next time I get a refund request is I'll flag it with eBay however, get items shipped back (issue a label) then after a close inspection of the item offer a partial refund.

@thebookcompany22

If you did get refund from eBay than you were very lucky. If you go the same route again, it's unlikely you will end up with the money OR the item. EBay cannot recover the funds once the buyer has been refunded so that money came out of eBay's funds.

ebay expects sellers to handle buyer problems on their own. When a buyer asks to return an item because there is a problem, then they expect you to accept the return and pay for the shipping. If you refuse to do either or if you call eBay about it, they will almost always refund the buyer. Then the seller usually gets an unresolved claim defect because eBay was asked to step in. If you get more than 2 of those per year, you could become a below standard seller. Have you checked to see if you got a defect? https://sellerstandards.ebay.ca/dashboard?region=GLOBAL

eBay is not interested in referreeing a he said / she said situation and they rarely look at any 'evidence'. They don't know what you sent out and they don't know what the buyer received so they generally rule in favor of the buyer. There are tons of transactions here each day and they dont have the will or the staff to 'investigate' claims. If the buyer does file an item not as described return and the item is as described, you can file a report against the buyer for misusing the MBG after you get the item back. In some cases you may get a credit for up to $8 for return shipping cost. To find out more about that, go to the following page and click on the + to get all of the info. https://www.ebay.ca/help/policies/selling-policies/seller-protections?id=4345&st=3&pos=1&query=Selle...

As far as offering a partial refund when you get the item back, that's only possible in some circumstances.

You should also check ebays MBG so that you are aware of how it works. I'm not saying that any of this is how things 'should' work but it is how they really do work.

thebookcompany22 · ‎09-12-2022

@brettjet38 yah, I accepted their departure .. all good a support manager on the phone mentioned they flagged the buyer for a possible eBay protection fraud .. manager said in 5weeks try to pull his name up and if it's blank they booted them off the platform .. alternatively added restrictions.

I like a new post for a new thought as well.

Next go around I will talk to the buyer as suggested. Possibly figure out the issue and offer a partial refund .. or get the item shipped back to be inspected.

During this whole thing one front line eBay support phone person said it's best to just issue a return label and once it's in your hands then counter the claims .. alternatively issue a partial refund as a reshelf fee ..

ilikehockeyjerseys · ‎09-12-2022

I don't understand why you're entitled to receive the books back if eBay covered you for the refund. At this point, you have nothing outstanding in the transaction. It would be up to eBay to decide if they want to pursue legal action against the buyer.

In a situation where a US buyer uses eBay's money back guarantee to commit mail fraud, you can open a police report, as well as open a report with the appropriate USPS department. Something like a buyer opens a return, and they send you back an empty box.

Unless eBay takes action against the buyer with the proper authorities, and you are required to answer questions, I don't understand how it would be appropriate for your to have any more involvement since eBay made you whole.