Dishonest buyers

[tipcotrading]

HELP!

How do you deal with lying, dishonest buyers?  The ones that have figured out that if they tell ebay the item isn't as described they'll get their way!

Example 1: Mid-October. Item was a US Navy dress blue uniform. Buyer claimed it wasn't navy blue.  She claimed it was black.  She lived in San Diego, a town filled with Navy uniforms.  Ebay believed her.  She returned the item on Nov. 2.  And didn't bother to wipe the white makeup off the collar.  Violla! free halloween costume.  Can't ebay put two and two together?

Example 2: Item is listed as local pick-up only.  Buyer paid promptly. Buyer lives three states away.  We wrote seven messages asking what his intentions were. His only response was "find some shipping prices for me."  We did, trying to please the customer.  No responses to our shipping quotes.  Early one Sunday morning our store's owner got a phone call that the customer was here to pick up his item.  Our boss lives less than three miles away, but got four phone calls asking how long it would take to get to the store.

Buyer received his merchandise.  The next day he filed a complaint that we did not ship the item to him!  And ebay just wen right along with him and forced a full refund.  Why can't ebay see the trail of messages?  Why, again, is the buyer given an automatic butt-kiss?

Example 3: A rechargable battery operated tool.  It was new in the box.  First buyer claimed it didn't work.  In his next message the tool was now broke with a piece missing, but could be heard rattling around inside the tool.  So as to not get a scolding from ebay, we accept the return.  When it arrives we check it over.  There is no rattle, nor signs of any piece being broken off.  Although it left with a full charge in the NEW battery. it arrived back showing several scars from use, dropping, etc.  It was also a
one battery fits six tools".  It was flat dead.  We charged it.  Installed it and guess what...the saw ran as intended.

So, please, somebody tell me how to defend against the automatic passes ebay seems to give lying buyers?