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Return request before receiving item - now wants refund
Summary: bargains1980 encountered an issue with a buyer who requested a return before receiving the item, which has since gone missing. The buyer cannot claim it as not received after starting a return process. papso22 and john1297576 discussed possible actions, noting that the buyer's protection might be compromised. tobiasd4 suggested upgrading to a business seller account. bargains1980 is frustrated by the situation, emphasizing they shipped promptly and blaming the lost item on a delivery service.
A buyer requested a return after a few days of the item being sent. I refused this request based on the fact that there was nothing to return as the item hadn’t been received yet.
However, it now appears the item is now lost and as a result of this I am at a loss as to what to do. Apparently he can’t request a lost parcel at his end because he’s processed a return, who I refused.
There’s no way I can see to directly contact eBay to find a resolution.
He has buyer protection etc and I am a private seller. Never had this happen before.
john1297576
MentorSep 18, 2026 at 8:55 AMHe does not have buyer protection, he has lost the chance for that.
If you wanted to you could still cancel sale and refund using reason buyers request, but whether you can get a refund is doubtful, as if Simple Delivery was used correctly ebay would refund and you cannot claim on courier.
bargains1980
OPSep 18, 2026 at 9:46 AMThank you - looks like his only option at this point is to contact eBay. I really don’t want to lose the money that I received for this. He’s been quite impatient all the way through. I sent the item on the day that he purchased it, and jumped the gun by asking for a return - given the item hadn’t been received. It’s unfortunate that the item is now lost by Royal Mail.
papso22
MentorSep 18, 2026 at 7:51 AM · EditedThe buyer has made a mess of this. They cannot open a case for item not received after opening a return case.
They can try contacting ebay but I doubt CS will do anything.
By the way, if you buy goods to sell you have to have an ebay business account. That's an ebay requirement to make sure you trade legally.
bargains1980
OPSep 18, 2026 at 9:44 AMThank you - it wasn’t something that I bought to sell. It was something that I had no use for. 😁
tobiasd4
MentorSep 18, 2026 at 11:04 AMYou seem to have bought a lot of new items you have no use for.
I suggest you upgrade to business seller before force you to.
bargains1980
OPSep 18, 2026 at 1:21 PMThank mate. I’ll take a look.