ebay return request from buyer - claims electrical item is faulty!

GabbaGabbaHey

ArbitraryRandom said:

PAT testing shows it was working and safe when it was tested;

My understanding is that PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) checks that an item is electrically safe, but does not verify that it is working correctly.

soolin

Spoonie_Turtle said:

[Deleted User] said:

Someone else might correct me, but my understanding is that when a return label is issued and then lapses, you don’t get charged for it and the return is then closed.

That's what I was thinking too, call her bluff.

If she doesn't return the item in the time allowed, she doesn't get a refund.  Might be a bit late now though, having had the conversation with her saying she's away. 

If it were me with a faulty item, I'd have been antsy about needing to return it before I went away!

I agree. Whatever you do don’t ignore the open request and let it time out to escalation as buyer will get their refund without needing to return the item. Accept the return, send a label via the eBay system  and let buyer worry about it.

As above, buyer does have quite a bit of time to use the label, but if they don’t then label will be cancelled and you won’t be charged for it, but more importantly case will close in your favour. 

Get that label sent ASAP 

Debbie9009

Is the item something the buyer could use while on holiday ? Could they have bought it intending to use while away and then send back when they no longer needed it ?

As others have said, get the returns label sent, if the buyer queries it I would tell them under ebay rules you have to respond quickly.  

They must have friends or family who could post the item for them, and that’s really not your problem to resolve.

tightauldgit

ANNA said:

My buyer has now informed me that she is away until the end of August. She can't amend her feedback or return the item meanwhile.

Had I paid for a return label, it would have lapsed! I can't resell until September!

We have a "try before you buy" type of customer I suspect. And wants to return at seller's expense and in her own time.

As I stated, ebay first-timer!

Has buyer actually started a return request or just messaged you to say they want to return it? 

If they have actually started the return request then you need to action it from your side otherwise Ebay will time you out. Whether the buyer is able to do what they need to do from their side is their problem really.