Have anyone else had a false claim and ebay have agreed it was in fact a false claim,

[oneforallallforone0163]

I have just had a false return claim on a item that I sold. Ebay have agreed that it was a false claim but have made me pay for all the postage costs.  They said at the time I would not have to pay for these cost, but have now told me I have to pay even though it's not my fault. I am not at all happy with Ebay.  The buyers get all the rights and the sellers have non at all. Like we can't even leave negative feedback for bad buyers. Non of this seems fair to me. Has anyone else had this problem

[rusticrye]

I'm afraid you don't have a legal leg to stand on, as you're trading illegally on a private account. 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 old no-longer-wanted possessions from wardrobe and attic. That clearly isn't you. 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.

I would advise you to upgrade your account from private to business (takes seconds) as a matter of urgency, before you find yourself in big trouble with Ebay (for defrauding them of listing fees) and Trading Standards (for breaching consumer law and denying buyers their legal rights). Most buyers are savvy these days, and your particular buyer may be one of them and may already have reported you.

@oneforallallforone0163 

[tsmgmd]

Another responder has highlighted the status of your account. 

As you are not correctly registered your buyers can return goods whenever they wish within 12 months. 

My advice would be to have your account registered correctly to save any future problems. 

[technthread]

Would you be able to direct to the eBay T&C’s where it addresses this? What is the return period for private sellers who are correctly registered and what it is for business sellers? How does an account be deemed incorrectly registered and open to this policy if eBay haven’t flagged it as such and haven’t told the seller about it? Thanks

[61stephenuk]

An eBay seller must register as a business if, for example, they sell items they have bought to resell, they make items in order to sell them, or if they buy items for their business.

Further informatoin can be found here on eBay Policies https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/selling-policies/business-seller-policy?id=4710 also it's a legal requirement.

Business sellers incorrectly registered are liable to refund up to 12 months and 14 days after buyer receives goods and must arrange collection/return at their expense.

[plpmr]

Not just an eBay requirement but legally required.

[plpmr]

sellers cannot defend a not as described case and have to pay the return costs.

However, as you are a business seller trading as a private seller your buyers have virtually;lly unlimited rights.