Protection for sellers. Annoyed !

[kells-marie7]

Hi everyone. May I ask what eBay do about protecting sellers? 3 times I’ve sold items for the buyer to miraculously report damage that wasn’t there when I sent it (and wouldn’t have been made in transit). Despite my pictures clearly not showing any damage they ask for partial refunds mainly, or they’ll return and I lose money on postage (I always take the returns - I’m stubborn, I know the money off is what they’re after). So, I end up with damaged goods back (they clearly have damaged the item, despite my clear photos before) so now I’m out of pocket on postage and I have a defective item. I just don’t know any way out of this. I only sell personal items for small amounts usually (although one of these items was an iPhone that came back bent - I sent it in a box so this wasn’t done in transit).

Latest person got a pair of Genuine near perfect uggs for £17 and all of a sudden sent pictures of rips inside and scratches outside and asked for a fiver off. Trying to take me for an idiot. I told them they were not damaged and told them I’d rather take them back damaged than take money off such a cheap price - 2 weeks on I am yet to receive the boots back so my cash is frozen in PayPal while I wait.... and wait... and wait.... it just seems to be my word against theirs and if they don’t get their way they damage my stuff !

Ahhhhhhh ok rant over 🙂 any tips would be greatly appreciated x

[john1297576]

At least if they don't return the money in Paypal will be released.

Although it costs you it is the best way to deal with these sort of buyers, Don't give them discount and put them to the inconvenience of having to post back.

Seller protection is virtually non existant, but you must realise that pictures prove nothing. Ebay never see what you send, what the buyer receives  or what they return, so they have no option but to  believe the buyer and honour the Money Back Guarantee.

So long as you deal with these cases, without buyers escalating, at least you get the selling fee refunded.

You can of course report the buyer for abuse of the MBG, whether ebay takes any action they will not tell you, but I am sure it gets on the buyer's records and too many and even ebay cannot fail to notice.  It is therefore important to report.

Make sure that you add them to your Blocked BiddersList.

[tressygirl]

You have been terribly unlucky!   Whilst online selling is obviouly open to abuse,  of course there is no one to physically check items being sent or received,  I know you say photos can prove no damage ,  but if it were a court of law ,  it couldn't stand up as evidence,  as there is no proof that is the same  item!

So,  you do not have to comply to any partial refunds,  I would suggest apologising ( albeit through gritted teeth)  and then say to follow eBay rules they need to send the item back for a full refund.  I'm sure you'll find many will not do that.

If they do open a case,  no point fighting it,  it is all automated.  So refund when the item is back ,or tracking showing it's been posted.  Then if ulterior damage has been done,  you call eBay CS from the Help & Contact tab above,  fight your case and explain that the buyer is abusing their 30 day MBG,  buyer may have a record of doing this.