Can ebay take money out of your account to refund a buyer?

[bigga2021]

Sold a gold gate bracelet which the buyer left feedback for, "as described and wife loves it". 3 weeks later i have a refund request for it not being as described. Ebay have sent them a return postage slip, do i seriously have to refund in this situation? Never had it in 20 years on ebay and definitely won't bother selling again if this can happen....thanks

[buffster1963]

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@bigga2021 wrote:

Sold a gold gate bracelet which the buyer left feedback for, "as described and wife loves it". 3 weeks later i have a refund request for it not being as described. Ebay have sent them a return postage slip, do i seriously have to refund in this situation? Never had it in 20 years on ebay and definitely won't bother selling again if this can happen....thanks

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Yes, i am afraid you do. Once the item is returned you will have three days to refund the buyer. If not, Ebay will refund from your funds/bank account. You are lucky that in 20 years this is the first time this has happened. 

[bigga2021]

Cheers for reply, it's a joke isn't it. Legally speaking you don't have to refund as i'm not a business, it's only ebay policy, is that correct?

[buffster1963]

Whatever the legalities , you agreed to Ebays policies when you listed the item. 

[barry.110]

A change of mind return you don't have to accept but a not as described case you do.

[bigga2021]

Unreal that you have to refund a not as described when they've already stated it was as described 3 weeks earlier when they recieved it.

[roger_roger_over_and_nowt]

Ebay's stance is that the buyer may have left feedback by mistake ,for another similar item.

[action_man]

It's most likely that they changed their mind and then abused the system to get a return. It's an unfair situation and you rightfully feel aggrieved. Obviously you've come onto a forum in the hope of having some understanding of how you FEEL from others. Unfortunately a lot of people on the forum have a lack of empathy.

I fully understand how you feel, because I've got a heart. But unfortunately on this forum the majority are just sticklers for the rules and there's not much heart there. So, you'll largely get no joy. Answers like "You agreed to the terms and conditions" may be factually correct, but soulless.

It's highly irritating that someone abuses the system in that way and you are rightfully aggrieved. Any normal person feels upset over unfairness. The last thing they want is someone compounding that upset with robotic unfeeling answers. I've no idea why some people do that, but it's common on virtually every thread.

The whole point is to actually have some human empathy in situations like this. But some people are empathic and some aren't. So, we have to accept that there are some people who abuse the system on eBay and some people who are unfeeling and uncaring on the forum.

Don't let it put you off though. Rise above it all.

[bigga2021]

Cheers, I guess i should count myself lucky that this is the only one i can remember in 20 years of being on ebay.

[action_man]

Exactly. I know how you feel though. Unfairness is really upsetting. I hope your day picks up from here on. 😊

[barry.110]

Do we really know it is unfairness though? if the OP gets the item back and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it then yes it can seem unfair but at least he will have the item back and can then sell it again. For all we know when the buyer received it it could have looked fine but might have had some fault that neither the seller or buyer could see. After the wife had been wearing it for three weeks a link could have suddenly gave way, and you would expect a gold bracelet to last longer than three weeks.

[bigga2021]

All they are saying is that it's not as described although previously left feedback that it was. No mention of breaking etc. You could argue the fact that the wife had broken it if that was the case.

[1956glyn]

Lack of empathy?      Responders on this thread have informed the OP politely of what Ebay would expect them to do under their terms and condition of use.   I they/cannot do much else.

Yes we would love to tell someone....do not worry things will be fine and you will be able to keep the funds BUT it does not work that way.

For your information i personally have a reputation on the boards of having great empathy 🙂

[bigga2021]

It is what it is, thankfully there are more honest people that i've come across than not. I'm not bothered about refunding if i have to and everything is as it was when i posted but i can't bear liars is all.

[susapric-68]

Feedback means nothing, buyer will claim they left it by mistake and should have been for a different seller and eBay will always ignore feedback left just for that reason. Does the OP have any proof the wife broke it? eBay will always side with buyer on any INAD case. Could be buyers remorse or an unexpected bill came in and the buyer needs money but none of that can be proved. Get item back, refund and relist is all they can do

[bigga2021]

They haven't said it's broken but as you say it's one word against another, i would say it's buyers remorse but it is what it is..

[ile136yz]

When the item is returned to you - Check it is the item you sold - Report any damage that is not shown in your photos to eBay before you refund.

[susapric-68]

Yes probably buyers remorse. The OP really should think themselves lucky it's the first time it has happened in 20 years. INAD has been opened so OP can't win, hopefully comes back in good condition and can re list and it sells

[susapric-68]

I would video opening the package, if it's the £180 item OP wants to make sure they even get it back as a cheaper lucky bag bracelet could come back

[the-nutwood-collection]

When you receive the return, you can report the buyer for abusing the eBay MBG at https://spd.ebay.co.uk/RBASellerHub

If sufficient similar reports are received against the buyer, then eBay should do something about them - however, I've no idea how many reports triggers action from eBay.  Cynic that I am, I suspect it's in the high hundreds.

Also, If you sent an eBay return label, you should receive a refund for the cost of the label.  I've never had a refund, but many sellers report that they always receive a refund.  I guess eBay just doesn't like me.