Buyer wants a refund after 5 weeks

BaileyB

Hi,

I sold something on 11th July and only private but have said would accept refunds if in same condition and 14 days. They pay postage.

So what is the best way to avoid getting a neg or defect on this as its been 5 weeks.

They said they have had no internet for 4 weeks to contact me. (looked on bidding history and nothing in last 30 days)

If Amazon refuse after 30 days

theonlywayisup

What is the reason for the return?

Pierre_De_Grenoble

nobody has no internet for 4 weeks.. even a 5 year old has a smartphone these days..

BaileyB

The no longer want it was the reason they gave. Yes can resell it if has been unused but why should i refund after 5 weeks, so they not getting a refund.

So what's the best way to stop them neg/defecting me?


thanks

19lottie82

If you choose not to refund and they havent left feedback already they can leave negatove feedback. Yes unfair as its outwith the 30 day period where a rwfund can be forced by ebay, but thats the way it works.

Whats the value of the item? you need to decide if refusing a refund is worth the risk of a negative.

If I were you id accept a return as long as it is unused and buyer pays return postage. Buf its your choice.

bxboards

BaileyB wrote: »

The no longer want it was the reason they gave.


thanks

'no longer want it' isn't an acceptable refund reason at all for a private seller, and certainly not after 5 weeks. Even Amazon - the most customer centic company only offers 30 days for returns.

Tell them you offer 14 days to return the item, and this time has long expired and you will not be accepting a return.

19lottie82

bxboards wrote: »

'no longer want it' isn't an acceptable refund reason at all for a private seller, and certainly not after 5 weeks. Even Amazon - the most customer centic company only offers 30 days for returns.

Tell them you offer 14 days to return the item, and this time has long expired and you will not be accepting a return.

True. But the fact still is what if the op refuses the buyer is free to leave negative feedback.

theonlywayisup

Then tell them you don't accept change of mind returns after this length if time.

Offer to let them use your listing details, ie photo, to resell it themselves.

As has been pointed out, the can still leave you whatever feedback they want.

bxboards

19lottie82 wrote: »

True. But the fact still is what if the op refuses the buyer is free to leave negative feedback.

A seller should never do the wrong thing, on the possibility they might receieve negative feedback.

Accepting a 'no longer want it' return after 5 weeks is one of the poorest reasons to just roll over and refund I've ever heard on the off chance a negative would be left.

pinkshoes

19lottie82 wrote: »

True. But the fact still is what if the op refuses the buyer is free to leave negative feedback.

A neg isn't the end of the world.
The seller would just have to respond politely to it stating that buyer changed mind several weeks later.

FidgitsID

Pierre_De_Grenoble wrote: »

nobody has no internet for 4 weeks.. even a 5 year old has a smartphone these days..

Simply wrong. My parents had no internet/phone for about 2 month when trying to move ISPs. Both have "smartphones" but are useless without wifi because 3g coverage is non existant without traveling 18 miles to get an almost "useable" signal or library with internet access.

Not everybody lives in great covarage areas.

OP, since you are private seller & buyer has addmited its change of mind (in ebay emails ?), I would only offer them a refund of the item price only, on its safe return, but explain that since ebay recomend that buyers use tracked postage for returns, it might be more cost effective if they simply resold it.

How you respond since its change of mind/private seller is really down to how much you value your ebay account/money and how much you sell ie will the potential defect get you banned from selling and if that would bother you.

5 weeks is quite a long time, is it something they might be trying to "rent" eg dvd boxset?

FYI as of 17/06/2014 paypal now allow SNAD/INR claims for 180days from payment. so if buyer knows this and claims its SNAD to get refund, you will end up having to give full refund on return.
Also ebay are currently in process (over a period of months) of forceing all sellers to pay for returns so private sellers will need to factor this risk in when deciding to sell an item on ebay.