A buyer has returned item without contacting me or opening a return, should I refund, perfect item

[pinkpippa]

A buyer has returned item one month after buying, didnt contact me, didn't open return, item as described, no faults, just a note to say just not what they wanted???? If I refund I'll lose eBay, pay pal and postage fees.  if they had contacted me I would have explained return not cost effective 

[tsmgmd]

It's up to you.

Refund your buyer now in full including all his costs.

OR.

Await a fine and possible prosecution for illegal trading as a unregistered business from Trading Standards.

[m25jet]

eBay have recently started trialling a "Quick Returns" scheme which enables buyers to obtain a label and return the item to the seller for a total refund.  Although this is currently in the testing phases, it would appear from the other posts that I've seen about this kind of thing that the first the seller hears of it is when the item arrives and they then realise that the buyer has sent it back and wants a refund.  Personally I think it's a very bad move by eBay, as buyers and sellers ought to work together to try to resolve a problem amicably, but now that you've got the item back again you'll just have to refund the buyer's money in full.  If you don't then the buyer is likely to escalate the case to eBay in order to get his or her money back, in which case you'll end up with a defect on your account due to the fact that eBay had to step in and force the refund.  If the buyer leaves you some bad feedback in relation to the item then you'll end up with a second defect in relation to this transaction.

[rusticrye]

It looks like you're trading on a private account, which is illegal.  If so, you don't have a legal leg to stand on.  Consumer law states that a buyer can request a full refund from an illegally-trading seller for any reason at all, for up to 1 full year and 30 days, and the trader has to pay their return costs too if they want the item back. And it can be returned in any condition whatosever. In other words, your customers can use you as a free hire shop. The law doesn't reward those who break it.

Anyone who makes, grows, refurbishes, or buys in (new or used) items to sell, is a business and must be registered as such. Not only an Ebay requirement but the law. Private accounts are ONLY for those selling off their own old, no-longer-wanted possessions from wardrobe and attic. For confirmation, go to Ebay's Seller Centre (link at foot of any page). For full information, go to the government's website.

And note that there is no such thing as a 'hobby seller' in this country, and how much or how little you sell or make is totally irrelevant.

@pinkpippa