eBay closed claim, issued refund, now seller is asking for item back. What do I do?

[be-like-water]

I purchased an item which sadly arrived damaged due to terrible packaging, but on top of that the item, which was listed as 'in excellent condition' doesn't function at all. After much trouble trying to communicate with the seller (three weeks I tried to contact her and she didn't respond), I opened an eBay claim. The seller finally replied and negotiations began, but the seller only wanted to argue that the item was in perfect condition when's he sent it. Then I received a message from eBay saying that the case had been closed and a refund issued due to the item not matching the seller's description. I assumed it was all sorted but now, a week later, the seller has contacted me asking me to return the item.
What is the best way to handle this? I don't want to cause the seller any grief but this whole situation has been such a stress for weeks now. Am I obligated to send the item back after the case has been closed. I paid a fortune in postage which turned out to be terribly inadequate in protecting the item. I don't want to have to fork out more money after already being put through such a debacle.
How would you handle it?
Thanks a bunch 🙂

[kzb888]

Here is ebays policy regarding this issue-When an item isn't as described If a buyer receives an item that doesn't match the way it was described in the listing, the buyer needs to request a return from My eBay. The seller should address the buyer's concern and offer a solution such as having the item returned for a replacement or refund. If the buyer doesn't receive a response or solution, or returns the item but doesn't receive a refund or replacement from the seller, the buyer can ask us to step in and help. If asked to step in, we review the item description, photos of the item, if provided by the buyer or seller, and any other information about the item that the buyer and seller provide. If we can't determine that the item matches the listing description, the seller has already offered a return, or the seller's stated return window and policy applies, we may ask the buyer to return the item to the seller. When an item is returned The buyer must return the item in the same condition in which it was received. The seller is required to accept the return at their specified return address. The cost of return postage is the seller's responsibility. Signature confirmation is required for returns of items with a total cost of $750 or more. The seller pays for any customs charges on the returned item. After confirming that the item was returned to the seller, we will refund the full cost of the item and original postage to the buyer. We require the seller to reimburse us for the amount. When the buyer arranges delivery or picks up the item, we may not refund the cost of original postage or pickup.

[bakeandfry]

kuromusha1 Community Member
11:02PM
~~~
Australian consumer law clearly states that consumer are entitle to a full refund and other expenses associated with the goods is not fit
~~~
Australian consumer law state that you are responsable for returning an item unless its something like a full swiming pool.
Are there any more points you want to get wrong?

[be-like-water]

Thanks sparklz. I will make another attempt at requesting return postage from the seller. Cross your fingers for me?

[bakeandfry]

And also kuromusha, i never wrote convict of anything, read my post again....

[cupcake15]

When you accuse someone of "stealing", that is an accusation of theft. An act of steal is very specific list of conduct.

[kzb888]

Yes you are correct,so if a buyer received a refund for my item that I sold to them from ebay and then ebay recouped that money from me and I didn't get the item back then I would be screaming THEFT all the way to court.

[bakeandfry]

kuromusha1 Community Member
11:39 PM
When you accuse someone of "stealing", that is an accusation of theft. An act of steal is very specific list of conduct.
~~~
Again i did NOT accuse anyone of "stealing", i said re-read my post.

[cupcake15]

kzb888 did.

[be-like-water]

I have (hopefully) tactfully contacted the seller RE: return postage. Hopefully this time I will get a response to the message. I don't know what more I can do? It's very difficult being reasonable with an unreasonable person, but I'm doing my best *deep breaths*

[kzb888]

Yes I did if the buyer doesn't return the item and if anyone keeps an item after they have been refunded for it then they are a theif,it's as simple as that.

So in OPs situation it needs to be worked out and agreed that the seller needs to pay for return of item and if this can't be agreed upon then IMO both the seller and buyer can be accussed of theft.