Ebay : Question about returning an item.

Pop's Diner

Presently, I have to return an item to a seller because it was not as described. How does this work out finanically (ie should I expect to get item cost PLUS postage/packing cost from them or just the cost of the item?

Also who is liable to pay for the cost of posting the item back to the seller (me or them)?

I'm a bit wary about this because the seller hasn't exactly impressed me so far and I'd like to avoid any pitfalls that I may occur. As a matter of interest what are the common pitfalls with this scenario?

Thanks.

citizen_p

a good seller will always have the returns mentioned somwhere....like 100% refund if not satisfied
or check the returns bit (under P&P charges)

not sure if you have to raise a dispute... read up on ebay policys... bottom of any ebay page shoud have a link.

never had to return anything (luckily)

Nody

From Paypal/Ebay's point of view you have to cover the return postage and it would not be refunded. A good Ebayer would refund it or arrange pick up but it would depend on the seller really.

Things to be careful about are:

1) Tracking - No tracking and the seller can claim (rightly or wrongly) that it never arrived (even with tracking they can claim it but you got a stronger case)
2) Packaging - If you can't send it back in exact same package as you got it they can claim it got damaged in transit (i.e. no refund for you)
3) Wrong item returned- Take photos with a magazine to give you a bit stronger ground

jor el

Nody wrote: »

A good Ebayer would refund it or arrange pick up but it would depend on the seller really.

I've never seen an eBay seller do this though. The vast majority won't cover return costs, as it's not a requirement.

Do make sure to use registered post though, which will cost more of course, but without it, you could get nothing at all.

Pop's Diner

jor el wrote: »

I've never seen an eBay seller do this though. The vast majority won't cover return costs, as it's not a requirement.

Do make sure to use registered post though, which will cost more of course, but without it, you could get nothing at all.

Thanks for all the comments so far everyone

Thing is if I return the item with registered post it'll probably actually end up costing me more than the price of the item. The item itself is only worth about 8 euro and I could easily see a registered package back to the UK costing more than that.

I've foudn the guy unreliable and the fella clearly sold me a pup and now is claiming he didn't notice particular damage to it (even tho I specifically enquired about the matter before bidding). I honestly feel like just keeping the item and black-marking him but that wouldn't be in 'the spirit' of ebay (especially as I understand these days sellers cannot neg-rep in return?). So TBH I'm not even too worried about the money.

It really isn't worth my time returning the item unless I get cost + 2x postage returned to my paypal. Is there any way I can secure these funds before returning item? Am I being unreasonable to just bomb his rep considering he clearly lied and wasted my time?

Pop's Diner

BTW, as a bit of background, I had a previous seller not refund my money after instructing me to return an item I was unhappy with. Upon reciept they said I had taken too long after the sale to return the item (even tho they themselves had ok'd the return long after the sale). Basically I was a novice and tricked out of my money on that occasion. So basically I am quite wary about the act of even returning an item to a seller, especially one who I've found unreliable as this current fella.

Nody

You have no real way to get a refund up front (no way he'd give one to you); I'd cut my losses and drop a neg feedback on him.

You are correct, he can't neg you back but he can ask to have it removed if it fits the criterias etc.

jor el

For feedback, something simple like:
"Sold broken item, won't cover cost of return (which is more than item cost). Poor seller."

and leave it at that.

Before doing this, contact him one more time and tell him that it will cost more to return it than the refund you'll get, and ask if he has any suggestions. He might just refund the money without the return, in order to save himself a negative feedback mark. Do not threaten negative feedback though, as feedback extortion is against the rules, and you could get yourself suspended for it.

Pop's Diner

Went with JorEl's advice and got this from him

hi
postage was around £1.50 second class
just send them back and i ill refund fully plus postage both ways
sorry for the dissapointment caused
regards
xxxx
please just keep a proof of postage reciept

What do you all reckon? He seems willing to pay a (unregistered) return but like I say I get this unreliable feeling off him. Should I just refuse this offer and end it there or take the risk with returning it?

Also, what use is 'proof of postage'. As I understand it all it (as you may guess) means is that I posted it. It doesn't prove I ever recieved it and as such he can deny such and stiff me if he feels like it?