Separate issues. I won’t grin and bear being robbed by someone even if I had broken into a museum at night: the two different wrongs don’t cancel each other out or mitigate the act the stealing.

In terms of the sending of perfume, OP now realises it’s not on. AP if aware of the breach  might issue a warning or fine. 

In terms of the allegedly false claim and the returning of an empty parcel, that is an act committed knowingly, and in pursuit of a fraudulent claim. I know which of these two acts I consider more likely to have been committed with criminal intent.

All the stat dec need say is that the parcel was empty, that nothing was returned. That is what I consider the pertinent issue.

(If the buyer didn’t want to return the item, after all, she had the option of contacting eBay, explaining the situation, and asking for a refund without returning. Same outcome in terms of seller being out the original money and item, but not as the result of the same level of alleged deception.)

No one’s perfect in this scenario, but holy beard on a Santa, I wouldn’t let the buyer’s behaviour get a free pass.

you broke Australia Posts terms of carriage, and then wanted your purchaser to do the same.  !!!!!!!!

Make a stat dec (and include stat dec of AP employee who witnessed this).

Contact Live Chat, inform them of what occurred, ask to whom you should upload the stat decs.

Hi everyone, I have just received the parcel from the buyer. I opened it at the counter in the post office. And guess what? The buyer didn't send it back.  The box is empty and filled with some used bubbles. 

Thank you for sending me all the information. I have learnt so much. I now only allow local pick up for used perfume, and it has worked very well.

I approved the buyer's return request on 20 Feb. After almost two weeks, she still has not returned the item or responded to my message.

I also checked her profile (should have done it earlier). She left feedback for 11 sellers, 4 of which are negative. Of course, it's the buyer's right to leave anything they want. It is just really unusual that she had issues with almost 40% of her eBay sellers but she is still buying from eBay. 

I'll let you guys know if there is anything new.

So in a nutshell..-

You've sold an item you know can't be sold on eBay (used perfume)

To circumvent eBay's rules you've listed as new (when it's not)

You've posted it when it is against Australia Post rules (unless you have a DGL- which you don't)

You've insured it (but Australia Post insurance doesn't cover glass breakages and I'm sure they won't cover prohibited items either).

I'd quietly accept the return before eBay cotton on to the above and your selling days might be numbered if you continue down this path.

Guys, when I searched for "perfume", there is no option for "used", it's either "New with box" or "New without box" and apparently sellers use the 2nd option to sell half full used bottles.

It was lucky that I took a full video when packing up. I also took some photos when dropping off at the post office.

..............................................................................

How does this  in anyway, prove the condition of the item as received by the buyer.  Of no value or interest to ebay.

Save yourself a whole lot of grief, simply accept the return and issue a return label.  It is then up to the buyer to return your item.

Extra insurance! .....  If the item was not packed to AP specifications, insurance is useless.

Oh no.....you've chosen NEW without box for your listing.....but in your description you've said USED and 80mls missing.

Buyer may not have even read the description.

I think you've made an expensive error, sorry

I think there is a strong possibility that even if she takes it back to the PO, you won't be able to claim insurance on it. All insurance companies, including the PO service, will get out of paying if they possibly can and unfortunately, you posted a prohibited item.

Even if she opened it in a PO, they could always say the packaging wasn't adequate in any case.

I don't know about anyone else, I can only speak for myself, but if a seller suggested I open a parcel in the PO, I probably would not comply. 

You say you're surprised that the buyer doesn't want to solve the problem asap. I think she does.

She is suspicious because even before the item arrived, you were telling her to open it at the PO in case she needed to submit a claim. She's wondering if maybe the lid was potentially faulty and you knew it.

Now you're telling her she will get a refund only after she returns the parcel to the PO.

She isn't sure how that will work out, so she's going the sure route, through ebay. I can tell you now, I'd probably do the same.

Give up trying to persuade her to take it to the PO.

I don't see what else you can do except refund her but before doing so, perhaps ask her to send you a photo of the damage and leaking. Tell her you will issue a full refund.

Edit: Just read in another post she has already sent you a photo.

Just refund, in that case. Nothing to be gained by dilly dallying around.

Yes, it is a bit odd because if she always picks up the parcels from the post office, it shouldn't be too difficult for her to go to the post office again, and she probably goes regularly.

Maybe she has opened the parcel?

Has she provided any photos of the leak?