Refunding buyer

TwinMummy2be

Hello again,

Yet another question I'm sorry!

My sister has sold an item on Ebay and I asked the question on here if it was safe for the buyer to pay her by bank transfer instead of Paypal (at the buyers request) which she agreed to and the money was finally received after opening a non paying bidder case.

My sister has now sent the item via courier and has a message this morning requesting a partial refund due to part of the item being unusable. My sister has got all upset (she's not used to this sort of thing!) and just wants to get it sorted as she is a new seller and wants to avoid any neg feedback.

Now mainly my question is this, the buyer has asked for a refund to be made into her bank account. The reason she asked for a bank transfer to pay for the item in the first place is that she owed Paypal a sum of money and she had to pay this before she could use her account. If my sister is to refund her does she have to do this via bank transfer as this is how she received the money or could she pay it back via Paypal to cover her in case the buyer comes back with any other issues that don't exist?

The buyer seemed strange from the start and when it took nearly 8 days or so for her to pay we knew we should have just relisted the item but funnily enough as soon as we opened the case she contacted us and payment was made within about 30 minutes. (she had decided to go on holiday without paying for the item first!)

I hope this makes sense and someone can offer some advice. Thanks!

plumface

I smell a buyer trying it on here. :mad:
Tell the buyer under no circumstances will you offer a partial refund.
If they are not happy with the item (how will a partial refund make it 'useable'?) ask them to return the item for a full refund.
They might just disappear!
Be prepared for a neg whatever you do.
Have you looked at the buyers feedback to see if their is a bit of 'history'? Take a look at there feedback "left for others" and especially look for 'false positives' under the "as a buyer" feedback.
Anything untoward here and you could use the new "report a buyer" button.

techspec

Ebay/paypal can't make you refund later down the line for other issues - as they didn't pay via paypal - so a partial refund would hold no risk.

But as above - IF YOU BELIEVE IT WAS FINE - ask them to return it.

The fact they owe paypal money means they themselves have sold something and had a claim against them. Trying to get their money back from others maybe?

TwinMummy2be

Thank you for your replies. Think I might suggest my sister asks her to return the goods and we can resell. See what happens from there. Thanks again for your help! Not as easy as it looks this Ebay selling!

freddysmith

Yes you need to have a very strong mind to survive and address problems that cause you to lose money.
Expect the unexpected in this game. 10 steps forward then one step back (repeat)
Good luck

Crowqueen

TwinMummy2be wrote: »

Thank you for your replies. Think I might suggest my sister asks her to return the goods and we can resell. See what happens from there. Thanks again for your help! Not as easy as it looks this Ebay selling!

I agree with Techspec. The thing is, the after-sales issue is just as important as the sale itself and buyers do have a right to reject the item - your sister needs to make sure what she sends out is worth the buyer paying for otherwise there will usually be problems. But in this case I would make sure the item comes back before you refund anything.

eBay will not get involved at all on this one so it is up to you.