I agree it is about risk management for the seller.
@gec2002 wrote:
It comes down to risk management for the seller.
The buyer offers to return if seller refunds first
Seller has chance of getting DVD back and No Defect
Alternatively MAY receive Neg, and/or Loss DVD
True
Seller rejects Offer
- Buyer starts INAD
Seller WILL receive Defect MAY receive Neg, and/or Loss DVD and potential have an open case against them
There is no reason why the seller will lose the dvd AND the money. The buyer is not allowed to keep the item and the money unless the seller says so. There will not be an open case against the seller unless the buyer chooses to escalate from the initial "request" to a "case", which I'm assuming won't happen if the seller goes along with the managed return process (at this point it is still a "request").
The seller is better to take his chances with the buyer - the fact the buyer has offered gives him some idea that the buyer may return the DVD. Most buyers would just start an INAD in which case if eBay get involved he mayl loss both DVD, money and WILL have a defect.
There would be no reason for ebay to get involved, as above, if the seller goes along with the return request. In the return process, the seller will get the item back, and then the money will be refunded to the buyer. The seller will get a defect just for INAD return request being opened. Only if the buyer decides to escalate for ebay to step in does it become a "case". The seller will have to pay the return postage cost.
The way I see it, it breaks down to whether:
a) the seller tries their luck refunding outside of the dispute process, but risks getting a defect, neut/neg and loss of dvd anyway. I'm assuming the buyer would pay return post as they are wanting refund prior to sending the item back, with no way to guarantee that they will.
b) the buyer goes through the return request process for INAD, the seller gets a defect, possibly neut/neg but definitely gets the dvd back. Seller pays return post costs.
