eBay

dza-4617 · ‎30-08-2024

Hi,

Just wanted to ask if something changed on ebay because I was under the impression that ebay blocks funds immediately only when buyers open a not as described return, but not when a "voluntary" return is selected?

I just had a buyer open a return that was automatically approved by ebay, says "changed my mind". Ebay gives the buyer a full month to return and immediately blocks my funds? So now I do not have the item AND I am out of pocket AND I paid for outbound shipping?

Do I understand correctly, since ebay blocked funds already, if the item is returned damaged/empty box, I would not be able to deduct funds from the refund? Shouldn't I be able to deduct the outbound shipping by law from the refund amount?

4_bathrooms · ‎02-09-2024

@dza-4617 wrote:

And if I am not mistaken, refund on the originaldelivery is up to the cheapest option that was available to the buyer?

That's the minimum entitlement buyer's have under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. When you sell on eBay you offer your buyers more rights than the minimum they have enshrined in law which includes refunding enhanced delivery costs in full.

@dza-4617 wrote:

Not to mention what happens if item is returned damaged, you as a seller are entitled to reduce the refund then, but how if full payment is already blocked.

You can report buyers for returning items used or damaged and - provided you are not rated "Below standard" - can deduct up to 50% from the buyer's refund (subject to eBay's guidelines). However, if you do reduce the buyer's refund in this manner your final value fees will not be refunded.

@dza-4617 wrote:

And what I noticed about funds being blocked that a lot depends on were the buyer is located. Ebay never seems to block funds for any of my UK cases, but always for US based buyers. Not to mention that the time given for these cases varies...

That's probably because eBay.com's users are subject to a different Money Back Guarantee than eBay.co.uk's users.

Give me ambiguity or give me something else.

View solution in original post

dza-4617 · ‎02-09-2024

So, nothing? Why ebay blocks funds immediately when buyer opens a voluntary refund?

therenewalworkshopltd · ‎02-09-2024

No, you cannot deduct the outbound shipping BY LAW from the refund.

That would be illegal to do so.

Whether or not funds are held, has a lot to do with your standing on Ebay.

I rarely have funds held when a return is processed.

But honestly, what's the issue. Once the goods are actually returned, you have to refund anyway.

So whether or not they are held is really immaterial. You are not out of pocket at any point, until the return is resolved in one way or the other. Either the buyer returns it and you refund it, or the buyer doesn't and it's expired, and you get your money available again.

dza-4617 · ‎02-09-2024

Well the money is deducted immediately from available fund, so basically ebay credits the future refund up front and the buyer has over a month to send the item back, twice the timespan for outbound delivery.

And if I am not mistaken, refund on the originaldelivery is up to the cheapest option that was available to the buyer?

Not to mention what happens if item is returned damaged, you as a seller are entitled to reduce the refund then, but how if full payment is already blocked.

And what I noticed about funds being blocked that a lot depends on were the buyer is located. Ebay never seems to block funds for any of my UK cases, but always for US based buyers. Not to mention that the time given for these cases varies...

4_bathrooms · ‎02-09-2024

@dza-4617 wrote:

And if I am not mistaken, refund on the originaldelivery is up to the cheapest option that was available to the buyer?

That's the minimum entitlement buyer's have under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. When you sell on eBay you offer your buyers more rights than the minimum they have enshrined in law which includes refunding enhanced delivery costs in full.

@dza-4617 wrote:

Not to mention what happens if item is returned damaged, you as a seller are entitled to reduce the refund then, but how if full payment is already blocked.

You can report buyers for returning items used or damaged and - provided you are not rated "Below standard" - can deduct up to 50% from the buyer's refund (subject to eBay's guidelines). However, if you do reduce the buyer's refund in this manner your final value fees will not be refunded.

@dza-4617 wrote:

And what I noticed about funds being blocked that a lot depends on were the buyer is located. Ebay never seems to block funds for any of my UK cases, but always for US based buyers. Not to mention that the time given for these cases varies...

That's probably because eBay.com's users are subject to a different Money Back Guarantee than eBay.co.uk's users.

Give me ambiguity or give me something else.

therenewalworkshopltd · ‎02-09-2024

Well the money is deducted immediately from available fund, so basically ebay credits the future refund up front and the buyer has over a month to send the item back, twice the timespan for outbound delivery.

No, Ebay doesn't credit the buyer with the money up front.

If they don't return it, they don't get a refund.

The money is held in trust by Ebay.

Again, even if it was returned the next day, you wouldn't have the money!

If it was returned in a month, you still wouldn't have the money. It would need to be repaid.

Ebay is just making sure that the funds are there for the refund.