Best way to issue refund for returned item

[dylan11235813]

I sold an item recently and the customer returned the item for a refund (not using ebays return system). The postage cost for me was about $10 for express post and I do not want to refund this cost (already sorted out with the buyer).

What is the best way to do it?

If I refund through paypal minus the shipping fee I will still be left with the ebay FVF fees. If I cancel the order through ebay it will refund the entire amount, but I will get the FVF back.

Should I ask them to initiate a return request? Does this facilitate the non refunding of postage costs and/or resocking fees?

[pennyforum14]

Every return request means an immediate defect, and Ebay do not remove iit even if you accept the return and refund.  You are better off doing a partial refund thru Paypal and deduct the postage and the Ebay FVF.  Better still, keep your buyer on side and forget about the FVF, it is not worth a neutral or neg and the associated defect.

[gec2002]

If they haven't used the returns system you haven't earned a defect yet.

Go to sold - Actions - Cancel Order

Select "Buyer Asked to Cancel"

Do NOT select any other choice

Wait until you receive item back and refund

You will not get a defect and should get your FVF back.

[dylan11235813]

Thanks for the replies. I should point out that it was for "change of mind" and the item has already arrived back. 

If they do a return request for change of mind this shouldn't result in a defect should it? Is there a section to set the refund amount if they do a return request for change of mind.

Is the FVF concidered non refundable by ebay for change of mind and the buyer/seller is responsable? How do ebay take into concideration a restocking fee?

[dylan11235813]

Just thought I would let people know that I got the buyer to request a return giving the reason that they didn't want the item anymore.

There was an option to choose to refund the original postage cost or not. There was no mention about restocking fees so I'm not sure how that would work, ebay even mention the restocking fee in the help pages but I guess they just decided not to implement it.

Not sure if I will get a defect but I shouldn't. The last time someone opened an INR case I was supposed to get a defect but didn't for some reason.