eBay openly allowing abuse of 'item not as described' returns. | Member To Member Support

toukaro · 2026-06-06T07:35:49.708000Z

Hi folks, Had a terrible experience with eBay this week and wanted to share it in hopes that someone else can avoid such an experience! I'm a private seller and last week I sold a pair of cycling shoes that I no longer used. In the original listing I stated that I didn't accept returns. The shoes were a size EU43 and were listed as such. Size EU43. The buyer messaged me a few days after they arrived stating they didn't fit (buyers remorse). To which of course I reiterated that I did not accept returns as am a private seller. In response to this, the buyer opened a case against me for the item being not as described. Of course I waited to the point in which eBay could get involved as was quietly confident that there would be a common sense outcome to it. Size is 43, buyer ordered a 43. Today was the day eBay could get involved, who immediately sided with the buyer after I asked for help. Confused, I requested a callback from eBay where an operative told me that I had to accept the return, even though the shoe was as described. The buyer wins as soon as they open the case. He told me this was parts of the TS&C's I agree to when selling. I asked what happens when I open an appeal upon the shoes arrival showing they're the correct size to which I was told I could refund them in full and report the buyer? All roads lead to a full refund with all shipping at my expense despite listing the product correctly. Rather harsh I must say but I was told by the operative this was the "safest and fairest outcome". To me this appears to be a loophole eBay are using to remove the rights of private sellers and have everybody operate as if they're a registered business and as such I won't be using this platform to sell anymore. Unless of course I'm buying now I know I can abuse the system to no end! Sorry for the rant, simply unhappy with how returns are handled for private sellers.

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eBay openly allowing abuse of 'item not as described' returns. | Member To Member Support | eBay UK