If an ebay return request was started but the item isn't returned, do I receive held payment?

[jonnymb74]

As per the subject title.

So for context, currently payment for my item sold is being held as the buyer wishes to return the item.

In my item listing I have stated; '14 days return. Buyer pays for return postage.'

This is the communication received from ebay after the buyer initiated the return:

…Obviously I don't want to refund the buyer now as I've not received the item back and as yet the buyer hasn't posted the item. I wish to relist once returned safely.

I will of course refund the buyer in full once my listed item has been received by myself in the same condition it was shipped out in and their reasons verified.

As yet I've not responded to the buyer as everything as it seems has been initiated by ebay already. I'm assuming ebay have or will deduct payment from my item payment to cover the 'free' postage label offered to the buyer. The return was started on Dec 26 and has not been posted back to me yet and so no tracking info provided to myself.

I believe the item to be in perfect working order and not defective as they've stated. I need to assume the buyer is trying to 'pull a fast one' (unfortunately this is the way of the world), and that they were probably hoping hoping I'd refund immediately, therefore essentially getting to keep a perfectly good item for free without having to return.

This fact that the item hasn't yet been returned indicates (for now), they're perfectly happy with it.

So, do I actually need to do anything or respond in anyway? And if I've not received the item back on or after 17 Jan, will the held payment for the item be released to me, as effectively a normal sale has taken place where the buyer has paid for and kept the item?

[**peaseblossom** · Accepted solution]

Don't do anything.   If the item is not sent back the return case will expire eventually, not necessarily immediately after the 17th, and the money may take longer to be released too but it will be released.

[jonnymb74]

Thanks. I suspected this was the case but nowhere does ebay simply state this.

As I trawled for the answer and got sent around in circles, I was left with the impression that I had to contact the buyer or at least do 'something', 'somewhere', otherwise I'd lose out on payment.

Since posting this up, I've been in contact with an agent via chat who has confirmed that the held payment will be released to me after 17 Jan.

I've had a transcript of the chat emailed to myself to fall back on should things go south, however the agent was very helpful and told me to reach out if I experience any difficulties.

Thanks again!