Are sellers required to reimburse buyers for return shipping?

longbomberz · Aug 19, 2013

I sold a card, buyer said they didn't like the condition and would like to return the card for a full refund or a 50% partial. I said to send it back to me and I would issue a full refund. They reply with "Are you going to reimburse me the 3.49$ to ship it back too? And if so will do.".

Leaving out the part where it shouldn't be anywhere close to $3.49 to ship one card, am I as the seller required to reimburse the buyer for return shipping?

A_Pharis · Aug 19, 2013

longbomberz said:
I sold a card, buyer said they didn't like the condition and would like to return the card for a full refund or a 50% partial. I said to send it back to me and I would issue a full refund. They reply with "Are you going to reimburse me the 3.49$ to ship it back too? And if so will do.".

Leaving out the part where it shouldn't be anywhere close to $3.49 to ship one card, am I as the seller required to reimburse the buyer for return shipping?

Nope. In fact, if he claims through PayPal I think they make him ship it back on his cost. May not be the standard, though.

Joshua.Roundtree · Aug 19, 2013

longbomberz said:
I sold a card, buyer said they didn't like the condition and would like to return the card for a full refund or a 50% partial. I said to send it back to me and I would issue a full refund. They reply with "Are you going to reimburse me the 3.49$ to ship it back too? And if so will do.".

Leaving out the part where it shouldn't be anywhere close to $3.49 to ship one card, am I as the seller required to reimburse the buyer for return shipping?

He is definitely required to pay for the return shipping with tracking, the same as you are required to use when shipping to him. He's just trying to scam, tell him he's a ******.

Topnotchsy · Aug 19, 2013

Shipping is on him. Out of curiosity how much did you charge him for shipping?

longbomberz · Aug 19, 2013

Topnotchsy said:
Shipping is on him. Out of curiosity how much did you charge him for shipping?

I charge $2.50. Penny sleeve, toploader, teambag w/decoy and a new mailer.

Thanks for the input guys.

Topnotchsy · Aug 19, 2013

longbomberz said:
I charge $2.50. Penny sleeve, toploader, teambag w/decoy and a new mailer.

Thanks for the input guys.

So he's asking for more than you charged him for shipping. Wow...

PoseyBuster · Aug 19, 2013

He has to pay return shipping himself, not you, it says so in Paypal's ToS.

I would also make a statement that in the return, a refund will be issued as long a sthe card comes back in the SAME CONDITION. I got burned on one return and the guy completely jacked up all 4 corners, got his refund in full, and left a negative. Garbage.

mrwhitesox30 · Aug 19, 2013

Look at the auction page a few rows below the sale price. There is a spot where it says whether the buyer or seller pays return shipping.

digicat · Aug 19, 2013

Of course, if the return is because of something that's your fault (like you sending the wrong card), reimbursing the buyer's return-shipping expense is the responsible thing to do.

Topnotchsy · Aug 19, 2013

digicat said:
Of course, if the return is because of something that's your fault (like you sending the wrong card), reimbursing the buyer's return-shipping expense is the responsible thing to do.

Agreed. Not sure if that was clear in my post.

matfanofold · Aug 19, 2013

Like most have said, it is the buyers responsibility to fund the return shipping. However, if you concede to the notion that you were less than clear about the condition and/or he has a legitimate claim as to the condition of the card with regards to the described condition not meeting the standards of actual condition, then the right thing to do as a credible seller would be to refund return shipping as well.

BunchOBull · Aug 19, 2013

I had an item come unprotected in a manilla envelope...3 inch crease edge to edge across the corner. I'll return it for a full refund plus return shipping, I shouldn't pay for a seller's poor shipment practices. If he won't pay to return, I'll keep it and he gets a neutral.

How is it a positive transaction if I'm losing money and get no item...or pay for a damaged item?

D-Lite · Aug 19, 2013

You actually pick buyer or seller pays return shipping in the auction setup, though I think it defaults to buyer pays. Either way, I agree that if it's on me that they need to do a return, I'll pay it.

longbomberz · Aug 19, 2013

matfanofold said:
Like most have said, it is the buyers responsibility to fund the return shipping. However, if you concede to the notion that you were less than clear about the condition and/or he has a legitimate claim as to the condition of the card with regards to the described condition not meeting the standards of actual condition, then the right thing to do as a credible seller would be to refund return shipping as well.

I ended up just saying I'd cover return shipping to bring the conversation to a close.

The card was a ~70 pt stock card that I pulled and listed within a few days that looked fine to me. Buyer said the corners were too worn for him. I described the card as NR-MT/MT or better and have a large scan that makes the entire card easily viewable with the zoom function. I would think what he described fits into NR-MT/MT.

I know "the customer is always right", but it's just frustrating when people don't look at what they buy. Thanks to everyone for their input. I will have to review my descriptions going forward.

PoseyBuster · Aug 20, 2013

longbomberz said:
I ended up just saying I'd cover return shipping to bring the conversation to a close.

The card was a ~70 pt stock card that I pulled and listed within a few days that looked fine to me. Buyer said the corners were too worn for him. I described the card as NR-MT/MT or better and have a large scan that makes the entire card easily viewable with the zoom function. I would think what he described fits into NR-MT/MT.

I know "the customer is always right", but it's just frustrating when people don't look at what they buy. Thanks to everyone for their input. I will have to review my descriptions going forward.

If the card comes back way more damaged than when you shipped it you can try to blame it on the buyer if you believe he purposefully damaged it. instead of shipping and hope ebay has sympathy for once.

Bob Loblaw · Aug 20, 2013

Joshua.Roundtree said:
He is definitely required to pay for the return shipping with tracking, the same as you are required to use when shipping to him. He's just trying to scam, tell him he's a ******.

I just received a card damaged in shipping due to the seller's improper shipping techniques. I understand under eBay's rules, I'm out the $1.69 to ship it back to him. However, just because someone wants a refund, doesn't mean they're "a ******". Cards do get damaged, or are misrepresented in auctions.

P_Manning 18 · Aug 20, 2013

This happened to me just a few weeks ago. He shipped it back and I gave a full refund.

eBay charged me an additional $1.69 in fees to cover his shipping. I'm guessing they forwarded that on to him.

The screen shot:

TwinsWin · Aug 20, 2013

I have sent a lot of bobblehead a back and never once has a seller paid for return shipping

notjomommasclint · Aug 20, 2013

As a seller I always pay for cost of shopping upon return.

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