Buyer asking for a refund because they don’t like the item

plumb1_2

hi , I’ve been selling off my old stock as I am semi retired now.

I sold a central heating programmer a few days ago, and just received a request for a return, the reason for the return is they don’t like the item.

There was several pictures and full description of the item. Surely you don’t buy a Central Heating Programmer then change your mind if you don’t like it ?

Anyway what my question is shall I expect a return and refund, and if I decline the refund will it affect my rating.

Oh and eBay say they have to pay for return postage.

soolin

As a business you should be offering returns legally anyway. However as you have the chance to decline the return it sounds like you are registered as a private seller, and if your account states no returns then you are completely at liberty to decline.

However as you fear, that does leave the buyer able to leave feedback, if they feel aggrieved enough they could also try and retaliate by complaining to eBay and HMRC about you being wrongly registered.

plumb1_2

I am a private seller, I am only selling items I bought from 1-10 yrs ago , so new old stock.
And never been claimed for Hmrc . I am not bothered about them reporting to Hmrc as I fully intend to inform them of any profits I make and pay the 20% tax. My main priority for selling is to empty out my garage. If I bought a item for £70 and it sells for £15 then that’s ok.

So really it comes down to taking a chance of not getting negative feedback if I refuse a refund. could I appeal against any negative feedback just because they changed their mind?
But just noticed they are selling items with a non refund policy.

RFW

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81911005#Comment_81911005

You may also run a risk of falling foul of consumer law if the buyer involved Trading Standards. It's probably unlikely but some people are like that and you probably would be considered a business under consumer law.
Generally speaking it isn't worth the hassle. Accept the return, check it, issue a refund, resell. You may end up losing a fiver but save a lot on aggro.

plumb1_2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81912627#Comment_81912627

Thanks for the reply , I did refuse the return after I did look into the buyer. And they are regular sellers of multiple items of foot ware with lots of feedback with a no return policy.
If the item was faulty or damaged I would have 100% offered a refund. But not when they stated they didn’t like the look of it. Especially when I posted 6 detailed photos of it. And also informed them of their policy. And told them to sell it, the cheapest one for sale on eBay is £72, I sold it for £39 at a loss. 90% of the items I sell are at a loss as it’s just a case of emptying my garage of items I am never going to use again. So always try and make sure any item I sell is the lowest on eBay

So will now have to wait for any negative feedback and try and contact eBay for review