05-09-2025 1:24 PM
I have offered a buyer a full refund on an item and to pay the postage fee for return. He is demanding I pay his bus fare to the post office and back as well as the postage and threatening to take the case to court if I don't pay it. Has anyone else come across this? What is the eBay policy?
05-09-2025 1:46 PM
lol, that's a new one! If the item is not as described the buyer is entitled to a full refund of their original payment, ie. item plus the postage. Nothing more than that. When they open a return on ebay they will receive a postage label paid for by you. Get the item back before you refund and make sure it's all done on ebay, not outside of the system.
05-09-2025 1:53 PM
Well I must say , I thought I'd heard every unreasonable ( daft) demand from a buyer but to pay for bus fare from PO and back, or be taken to court!! This wins Number 1 prize ! 🙄
Umm no ! Listen no more to this totally daft request / demand and of course ignore the court threat.
Send them a polite message you of course will follow eBay's rules under the MBG Money Back Guarantee policy which describes how for them to open case for a full refund for everything the buyer has initially paid, but there is no mandatory rule to refund any travel costs.
Then, answer no more of their messages, and await the case/ the return being opened.
05-09-2025 2:05 PM
Thanks for the response. I'm very new to selling on eBay so not really sure of all the rules and regs yet. I've paid a full refund plus return postage and received the item back. The buyer is still insisting I pay for his travel and threatening court action. And this all over a dispute over the condition of an Xbox game case he paid £7 for! See below.
05-09-2025 2:07 PM - edited 05-09-2025 2:08 PM
Nightmare buyer! You can ignore them from now on. And put their ID on your blocked bidder list:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/bmgt/BuyerBlock
05-09-2025 2:12 PM
Thank you very much for the advice. I'm very new to selling on eBay so wasn't sure where I stood on travel expenses etc. And this over a dispute on the condition of a £7 Xbox game case would you believe?!
The game itself works just fine.
I'm trying to remain polite but the buyer is making it very difficult and his given me some terrible feedback as you can imagine. The only negative feedback I've ever had in 20 years of using eBay.
Thanks again
Paul
05-09-2025 2:15 PM
As advised, block them.
Ignore them.
Certainly don't respond to them any further.
Personally, I would delete any messages from them that may now arrive.
They will soon get bored.
05-09-2025 2:22 PM
Thanks for the advice. I'll tell them the matter is settled and I wont be replying to any further messages.
Cheers
Paul
05-09-2025 2:23 PM
When we say .... ' a buyer can turn into a buyer from hell', your post is a prime example of this very person.
I wouldn't worry about the small claims court claim, it's all bluff.
It is worth contacting eBay Customer Services as there are instances when eBay will remove a negative remark if there is mention of an eBay case.
I do Strongly recommend contacting eBay Customer Services only very first thing in the mornings when the lines first open for ' live agents' at 8 a.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. on weekdays. Then, there is more chance of Dublin answering. Only speak to them, it's a Call Back option, so you'll hear if it's the dulcet tones from the Emerald Isles! 🤗
I'm so sorry you are experiencing this, and good luck and all the best, because for a new seller to come across such an unreasonable demanding buyer is such a shame, but luckily they are not the norm.
This is the easiest and quickest way to contact eBay Customer Services, for a Call Back option.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/eua?id=5275&mkevt=1&mkpid
Lines open for ' live agents' 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. on weekdays
9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on weekends.
Automated agents will be available on chat outside of the above hours.
Remember, contact CS first thing in the morning as there's more chance of Dublin answering.
Let us know the outcome !
05-09-2025 2:30 PM
No! Really, I would not even do that!
Stop communicating with them and don't read their emails.