MBG Found a better price

[rocket2retro]

Just got done over by a buyer who opened a return request for 'found a better price'.

It was opened before they'd even received my item and they did not need to provide any proof that they had found a cheaper priced item (even Officeworks etc 'beat any price' promo require a receipt).

I know for a fact that there aren't any cheaper replacements available in Australiia (I import the item that I sold).

Of course I had to refund the buyer for the original postage & the brand new tough bag

So basically I'm out of pocket and I've spent time packing, responding, etc to the request. I'm losing about $15.00 an hour on this transaction and my 15YO daughter is now earning $25.00 and hour more than me! 

You'd think at least in this scenario the buyer would have to incur any costs to the seller.

I was hitherto under the illusion that I sell on eBay to make a small profit on the things that I sell...

[*tippy*toes*]

What happens to the item in this situation? If you've already refunded, are they going to send it back, or do they get to keep it? I'm not sure I would have refunded until after you got it back.

[pennyforum14]

Does your returns policy state that you do not accept returns for change of mind?  If so, phone eBay and insist on speaking to a supervisor and tell them you do not accept change of mind returns and insist they return your funds.  It is their MBG not yours, and if the item is not faulty or SNAD then you are not required to refund and if they do so it should be at their expense not yours.  Their own policy states sellers are not required to accept change of mind, but are encouraged to do so.

[rocket2retro]

Thanks for your reply Even though I believe it was probably a change of mind it was claimed under the 'found a better price' return category With no need for proof of the' better price' there would be no point fighting it (as we know who eBay would side with) and I'd lose my listing fees as well (I believe).

[rocket2retro]

Yes the item was returned & the buyer had to foot the return postage I only had the option of refunding their original payment in full (in fact the was frozen by PayPal). In doing so, however, I essentially lost the original postage cost and packing material (new tough bag). It is not a huge amount of money- but more the principle that I'm out of pocket for the buyer not shoppiing around first (in the unlikely event he did find a better price).

[pennyforum14]

Found a better price is still a change of mind.  You are not legally required to accept such a return.  If it were me I would still fight it with eBay.

[digital*ghost]

Found a better price is a change of mind return - if you accept returns and the return met your conditions (eg was within the time limit etc), then you're obliged to accept it, but you should not have been liable for the original postage...unless it was a free-post item (I've had a couple of COM requests, and the buyers have only been eligible for a refund of the item price, not original or return postage, so something is wrong with a full refund of original payment being the only option if postage was charged separately).

The other thing you can do now - especially with free post items - is charge a restocking fee. It used to be a feature on the US site, but it was recently rolled out here. I think there's a maximum you can set it at, though (20% ? of item price).

[digital*ghost]

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@pennyforum14 wrote:

Found a better price is still a change of mind.  You are not legally required to accept such a return.  If it were me I would still fight it with eBay.

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If the seller accepts returns (as the OP does), while they can set conditions, such as a time limit, the item has to be unopened or otherwise in original condition etc, it is eBay policy that they accept returns for any reason, so by setting to returns accepted, you're obliged to accept for 'found a better price' if those conditions are met. 

[phorum_junkie*]

If your returns policy states, as mine does, return of item cost only for change of mind then that is all you will have to refund, the whole amount was on hold in Paypal but as soon as I confirmed I had received it back the item cost was refunded and the original postage cost released back into Paypal.

Perhaps you need to reword your return policy.

[lane-ends]

Dont even know why they introduced found a better price option, its almost as if its a chance to insult the seller. Its a change of mind, no other sub catagory needed.