I have to vent. I'm so frustrated right now!
If eBay is going to offer top rated sellers the ability to withhold a percentage of a refund for a damaged return, but then refund the buyer in full when they have a sook... then WHAT'S THE POINT of offering it at all! If there are no repercussions for bad buyers, all that does is empowers and encourages them to do it again.
So I had my first INAD in many years. Usual story, bad buyer making false claims (claims item didn't fit his car, which is untrue, as the item was very specific to that make, model, year etc)
He opened the INAD case on day 30 of his 30 window (from estimated delivery date) That was the first red flag.
The item arrived back, appallingly packaged, missing the product box, quite heavily scratched, chipped and scuffed. These were quite expensive brand name shock absorbers. They appear to have possibly been fitted and removed again.
Using eBay's refund deduction chart. (they suggest 5-10% for missing box, 35-50% for scratches or damage) I quite fairly withheld 30%. As I genuinely believe I can sell them for around 30% less given the state they are now in.
Of course, the buyer had a cry. ("I've done nothing wrong"... etc etc) He told eBay the original box was discarded as I 'sent it damaged' but conveniently failed to mention the scratches and damage to the item itself. He explained a 30% deduction for a missing box was unfair, which I would agree with, however he scratched the snot out of my item therefore the deduction was reasonable and in line with the eBay recommended amounts.
eBay then refunded him the difference out their own pocket. Which is just ludicrous. Why should they take the hit! I provided photos of the lousy packaging, and the scratches etc. They should have told him to go pound sand.
While they claim this return wont be counted in my metrics at the next seller evaluation. I fear that this will have dinged my account in their internal system, as i'm sure they wouldn't be too impressed with paying him out of their own pocket. I try my hardest to always be in absolute compliance with eBay policy, my top rated status, 100% feedback score and zero defects attest to this, and I would hate to think I have a ding on my account because of this imbecile and his stupid shock absorbers for his POS AU Falcon...
Like clockwork, I get 1 Lunatic buyer a year (Boy, do I have some stories... The most memorable one was the guy who went to "Washing Machine University in Poland"... But that's another story for another time)
Hopefully that was this years lunatic. Lesson learnt, any more INAD's just refund in full, take the hit and move on. Thankfully they are very rare indeed.
ARRRRGGGHHH....... End Rant.
Now I best get back to packing items for my decent buyers....
Tell me your horror stories of eBay refunding deadbeat buyers? I'm sure there are some gems out there.
