Out of pocket because they changed their mind.

[andyt552]

I've just had a return initiated because the buyer 'changed their mind'.

Now although they're paying for the return postage I'm still out of pocket for the original postage.

How can this be right? How can I be losing out through no fault of my own?

Surely the buyer should only get a refund of the item price and not the P&P I charge.

[papso22]

It's not really right but ebay imposes the same refund rules on private sellers as they do on business ones, where the private seller accepts change of mind returns.

That means the entire original payment is refunded, including any postage.

[red_magpie]

How can this be right?

This is the law for business sellers.

For distance sales, buyers are entitled to return items for any reason. The buyer can be required to pay for the return, but the seller pays for the original delivery.

As for how it's right, when the original regulations were introduced the view was taken that as distance sellers don't have the expense of providing and staffing a shop where buyers can view items, they should instead meet the cost of delivering items for customers to view and inspect at home. This has been for over 10 years.

[andyt552]

I'm a business seller so have no option but to offer returns.

I think if this starts happening too many times it's not going to be viable to continue with eBay.

[papso22]

Sorry I assumed you were asking as a private seller.  As has been explained it's the law for business sellers.

[john1297576]

If buyer pays return postage, then both buyer and seller are out of pocket. It does serve to deter many buyers, but tat is why far too many buyers dream up reasons for Not as described returns. Now from the sellers angle they are a killer, having to pay for the tracked return postage and make a full refund.

[andyt552]

Don't get me started on the 'not as described'!!!

When eBay just agrees with what the buyer says having no idea
if it's correct or not and there's nothing we can do about it.