Ebay returns: a cautionary tale

[Weaver]

I just sold a kit on Ebay, accurately described, in new condition and well packed for shipping. It arrived in perfect condition, but the seller then decided to ask for a return on the grounds that "his eyesight wasn't up to dealing with all the little parts". Since I wasn't at fault, I agreed to take the model back (at his expense) and refund him the purchase price, but not the P&P, since I couldn't get that back from the Post office. He agreed to this, and the kit duly arrived back here.

HOWEVER, the return was handled through Ebay's official returns system, and when I came to refund him, I found that the ONLY option was to refund him the entire transaction cost including the P&P. Since I'd accepted the return via the system, I had to go through with it in order to 'close' the issue. I e-mailed him asking him to Paypal the P&P cost back to me, but, amazingly enough, I've never heard from him since.

As it happened, the P&P was roughly equivalent to my profit on the deal, which means I can now never make a profit from selling that kit, unless by some miracle I manage to sell it for a super-inflated price.

Result? I no longer accept 'goodwill' returns, only for damage or not-as-described issues.



So BE AWARE when selling on Ebay: if you accept a return via the formal process, your ONLY options are:

1. Take the goods back and refund the ENTIRE transaction cost including the P&P.

2. Don't take the goods back and refund the ENTIRE transaction cost including the P&P.

3. Don't take the goods back and issue a partial refund to be negotiated.

4. Take the matter to Dispute Resolution (which sellers almost never win).

There is NO option to take the goods back and issue a partial refund, even if 'partial' only means 'minus the P&P costs.'

[PR19_Kit]

Hmmm, a cautionary tale. 

I've always thought that ebay sellers were on the wrong end of a stick, the 'rules' are stacked against us.

[Tojo633]

Ebay

Not to mention the sellers who do not honor the winning bids.
I have had 2 instances where items were never dispatched by the seller.
One lied through his teeth even though I won the lot of built kits at a bargain price, he never quoted postage but I paid a estimate for the postage on the condition I would pay any difference, items never appeared - conclusion Seller sold the lot to another person for higher price after I won it.
Two lot of assorted post war RAF decals amongst others, when decal lot did not appear and I complained as to where they were low and behold I was given a refund without any contact from the seller - conclusion Seller sold the lot to another person for higher price after I won it.
Options advise ebay accordingly that you are going to the police instead and get them to advise the seller to expect a visit.
Sellers need to be reminded by Ebay that auctions wins are legally binding contracts and they are required to fulfill them.
cheers