eBay Refunding Buyer on My Behalf?

AustraliaObscura on 02/08/2021 - 19:20

I just received a return request from a buyer on eBay, after about 400 positive selling experiences and many years online. They claimed the item was "worn" and "faulty", yet I believe all my photos and description were correct. I offered a full refund yet have them paying return postage to me. They then opened a claim with eBay as they didn't want to pay the postage.

I was definitely expecting the worst, as I know that eBay often sides more with the buyer. Yet when I chatted with eBay customer support, they straight away said "I have checked the details and would like to inform you that as you wanted to refund the buyer so we'll close the case for you by refunding the buyer on our own i.e., we would not deduct any funds from you and neither you'll have to facilitate for the return postage."

So, to my understanding, they have fully refunded the buyer (and let them keep the item, but I didn't want to push my luck here!), yet also not deducted any of the refund from my payment.

I've never heard of this before - why are eBay saddling the cost? Did I just get lucky?

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Comments

  • Hybroid on 02/08/2021 - 19:22
    +3

    Yep, eBay almost always side with the buyer. They will then come after you for the money. I don't believe that CS at all but hope they're right for your sake.

    • AustraliaObscura on 02/08/2021 - 19:27

      Oh no! Surely they can't say I'm not going to be deducted money then do it anyway! Not that I trust eBay customer service…

      • popsiee on 02/08/2021 - 19:33

        They will charge $22 for closing the case , take your money from managed payments to refund the buyer and let the buyer keep the item .

  • Ehty on 02/08/2021 - 19:45
    +1

    The more you speak with different eBay CS guys more will the types of resolutions from them.

  • FireRunner on 02/08/2021 - 19:53
    +1

    Never heard of this happening. Hopefully it's eBay doing a gesture of goodwill.
    What usually happens is eBay makes the seller pay return post but they at least you get the item back.
    Keep us updated

    • AustraliaObscura on 02/08/2021 - 20:02
      +1

      Even in this situation I'd be annoyed at having to pay return postage, as I gave them a discount to buy it in the first place (they emailed me a lower offer), and I sent them more photos. It feels safer only selling new with tags items, though I suppose as a seller there is always the risk of a buyer saying whatever they like for refund and getting to keep item. It's just new to me, having a dispute / returns claim.

      • FireRunner on 02/08/2021 - 20:42
        +1

        It feels safer only selling new with tags item

        It doesn't make a difference if it's new or used.
        Buyer can open a significantly not described case three months after the sale.
        Got my money back thanks to AFCA but I don't think that's the case with eBay's new managed payment system

    • jason101 on 02/08/2021 - 20:04
      +1

      Happens all the time, if you don't "voluntarily" provide the refund and ebay determine in the buyers favour you also get slugged the fee noted above for having a dispute determined against you. Welcome to Managed Payments - where eBay hold all the cards and their reputation with buyers is all they care about.

      I might have tin foil hat on but I am sure measures like this are designed to force small sellers off the site, so eBay can focus on national brands only and move away from their "worlds garage sale" type image their brand was built on.

      • pharkurnell on 02/08/2021 - 21:05

        spot on.

      • Cheeper on 03/08/2021 - 00:50

        There are a couple of hundred people that would disagree with you at the moment. A scammer sold 200+ pre paid sim cards and sent out some weird name $0 sim. They are being stuffed around to the max by ebay/paypal.
        Years ago I got scammed with a fake memory stick and they did the same thing, stuck up for the scammer. I had to get external assistance to get a refund. Ebay/paypal is just weird and users need to always be aware of that.

  • orangetrain on 02/08/2021 - 20:12
    +1

    I hope they don't then charge you with a support person going, look, seller agreed!

  • mbck on 02/08/2021 - 20:55
    +5

    EBay is not safe to sell full stop. Too many ways to be scammed. And eBay wants to keep their user (buyers).

    • pharkurnell on 02/08/2021 - 21:04
      +2

      agree - they dont want private sales, they want business. Private sales are just an inconvenience

    • Cheeper on 03/08/2021 - 00:42

      They look after their scam sellers too. One seller recently sold a heap (200+) of pre paid sim cards at $200ish ea and sent out some weird $0 value sim and the victims are being given the run around by ebay and paypal.
      The name of the game is income and a high volume scammer generates income unlike a once in a while seller. The income generator would get the better treatment.

  • pharkurnell on 02/08/2021 - 21:03
    +3

    Ebay did it to me.. buyer said he never got it, even with tracking #'s = refunded the bloke 500 - and he kept the item.

    Wont use it to sell anymore.

    • mbck on 02/08/2021 - 21:37

      That is just f* up. Wt*

  • FreeUyghur on 03/08/2021 - 12:57

    to many scammers

  • ColtNoir on 03/08/2021 - 17:29
    +1

    I've only ever sold small items <$70 so it doesn't break the bank.
    I sold a PAL game with an auto label of NTSC and obviously offered the refund. The buyer never posted it back (at my cost, but they pay and I refund them), so they closed the case, no issues, no refund.

    • FireRunner on 04/08/2021 - 09:56

      Had this happen, buyer initiated a return and I accepted. They either forgot or couldn't be bothered to post it back so the return case eventually closed on it's own.

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