eBay's returns process and the real risk to sellers

[triumph_spares]

I'm the sort of seller that doesn't know eBay policy that well, call me a fool but I find rules just sort of say common sense things so generally don't take the time to read them until I hit an issue.  The problem is when you sell something used the description is subjective and your buyer may not agree or just change their mind

This is where "not as described" becomes a problem because eBay will 100% align with the buyer . However in process that's ok if the buyer  intentionally returns it,  you get back what was sent and progress a refund. 

It becomes a problem when the buyer starts changing things or blaming you for the impacts outside of your control because it wasn't what they expected / assumed from your description. So they ask for a discount or make modifications or even stating they are keeping it but the buyer leaves the request to return in place.

You just lose everything and in my case I feel the buyer is actually rewarded for what I understand now are breaching buyer policies.  I don't understand why eBay has these buyer polices in place, I'd say they are a fallacy because in my experience they are ignored when eBay are informed of it.  

So I've come to the conclusion that if I sell something on eBay now I have to accept that it is a 100% gamble on here as I may be lose everything i.e. not a trusted selling platform.  How is it fair that the buyer now has the item and money when they state they have no intention of returning it. 

[jonatjonatjonat]

How did they get refunded in your case above without returning anything?

[temperate_porcine]

Put simply, if you accept a return and provide a return postage label, the buyer has to return to get a refund.

[triumph_spares]

the buyer wasn't happy as new issues came to light when they dismantled it. it was supplied used and untested. i don't dispute the new issues discovered because i didn't take it that far to check it but feel it was covered by untested.  they buyer then actions a return on not as described but also tells me they are rebuilding and forwarded costs meaning the return was about extorting a discount and didn't agree with it. I  actually thought that was a buyer policy violation but ebay don't care and by refunding the buyer they've endorsed the buyers actions. I think you are right in that I should of paid for a return label even though it was made clear it wasn't coming back. it seems ludicrous to need to that when a statement in writing is already made and the buyer isn't returning it yet leaves the request open.  like I say not safe place to trade and i unknowingly took risk as the buyer is allowed to miss use the return process.   

[papso22]

 I think you need to familiarise yourself with what ebay means by 'used'.

'Untested' has no meaning on ebay other than a hint that the item might not actually work.