Paypal refund query... wishing to avoid negative balance fees!

porto_bello

Hi, I sold an item on eBay over the weekend and the buyer originally wanted the item posted. He paid earlier today via paypal plus the premium for postage. I withdrew the funds from my paypal account and the item was ready for posting tomorrow morning...

But I've just had a follow-up email from the buyer. He's just realised I live 30 minutes away and he wants to pay cash, pick-up and save the postage. This suits me fine!

Question: My paypal balance is zero, but is linked to my bank account and credit card. How do I refund the buyer, without incurring any fees?...

Should I just refund and the paypal account, as it will automatically draw from my bank account and automatically prevent itself going negative?

OR

Should I return the funds I withdrew, back into my paypal account, from my bank account first - then refund the buyer (preventing a negative balance and fees for going in the red?

luvvlyjubbly

I have a feeling that if you do this it does come from your bank but the seller receives it as an Echeque and has to wait till it clears....but things change all the time.
I was going to suggest you hand over the cash for postage on collection but i guess thats leaving yourself open to an item not recieved claim.

techspec

In the past - you could not refund unless wou had money in your account already. Not sure if thats the case now.

As stated - you could give the buyer the postage back. But the buyer can claim none receipt. Depends on the value if this is worth the risk.

hiccup123

Ask them if you can refund the postage when they pic up and ask if they can leave feedback when they collect.....most people have internet on their phones. Paypal Will refund from your account if there's no money in your paypal, but the payment might take about 10 days to clear into buyers paypal. Explain this to them....I'm sure they'll be happy to take the cash from you and leave feedback in your presence.

porto_bello

Thanks for your replies.

I think to cover all the bases, I'll do a bank transfer to my paypal account to cover it, and then (once the funds are in the paypal account), refund the buyer, so they immediately receive it. Then they can pay cash, without having to wait for a confirmed refund.

Though the buyer is as nice as pie, I'm not going to accept paypal, then allow a collection and take the chance of an INR... but that's another story!