Refund - Return Post Question

[noosaprue]

I sold an item which the buyer tells me is defected.  Without thinking about it I have offered to have the item back and offered a full refund via paypal.

The problem is, I quoted $15 for postage and it actually cost me $27.15 due to the size and location of the buyer, so I'm out of pocket, which I was happy to wear.  Now the buyer is going to post it back and I've refunded the orginal postage quoted of $15, so do I have to pay the full postage back or just the difference?

[wishuponastarcelebrationsandgifts]

Them's Paypal's rules, which a lot of sellers seem to adhere to.

I don't offer refunds for change of mind. A book is a book.

I can't believe the last three posters seem to think that all buyers are honest. Read a few threads. Notwithstanding, a buyer's idea of SNAD doesn't necessarily equate to the sellers', or reality.

As a seller I am more than aware that there are dishonest ebay buyers, and have unfortunately come across quite a few. My initial post stated:

I stated that IF the item is found to be faulty upon receipt then postage will be refunded as I do not offer refunds for postage for change of mind purchases.

My point was that if a buyer simply changed their mind about an item and wanted to return it under the guise it was faulty when it wasn't, I wouldn't refund postage. If it was genuinely faulty then I would.

[noosaprue]

Ok...just to clarify.

The item was $42 and quoted postage was $15 = $57

It actually cost me $27.15 to post because of the buyers location and size, so I'm out of pocked $12.15.

Buyer said it's faulty - I have completely refunded the $57 to them.

My question is 'do I pay for the postage back'?  I know how much it costs and all money to the buyer was refunded but I know it costs more to post it back.

See my dilema?

Depending on what the buyer tells me, it could be $30 to post back, so do I have to pay the $30 or just the difference as all their money has been refeunded to them.

I want to do the right thing, hence the question.

[wishuponastarcelebrationsandgifts]

My thought is that a buyer purchases an item based on the total price as per the listing inclusive of postage. If the seller has understimated the postage, and ends up out of pocket, then the seller needs to wear that cost.

If it were me I would refund the buyer the total they paid for the item ie. $57 as well as their cost to return it (providing it is actually faulty) upon receipt. I would have suggested that you advise the buyer if the item is found not to be faulty upon receipt then you would refund the purchase price only of $42. It is best to wait for the item to be returned prior to issuing a refund.

Had the item been listed with the correct postage then the buyer may have elected not to purchase it at the higher price. You cannot expect a buyer to pay for your error with the postage calculation.

Is the fault a clearly visible one? If so, there is also the option to request photos of the damage rather than requiring an item be returned if it is in a state that it cannot be salvaged. That saves the buyer the inconvenience of returning the item, and you the expense of paying for return postage.