Returning an item

[seongf]

A seller wants to return an item. It's my fault i said it was an ipad 6th gen when it's an ipad 5th gen and gave him a full refund.
However i asked him to keep the box incase he wanted a refund. Now he says he wants to charge me for a new box.
What are my rights? Do i have to pay the full postage under australian cunsumer law even though i speficicly asked him to keep the box?

[*tippy*toes*]

You've refunded before getting it back? I hope in that case you do get it back. It's up to you if you want to pay for the box. I don't think you are obligated, but I probably wouldn't say that to the buyer. You are obligated to pay for the return postage though.

Spoiler

I assume you mean a buyer wants to return the item, not a seller?

[seongf]

Thanks i have him a refund for the postage as well. Oops i hope i do get it back otherwise i'll have to post another question about what to do. Does ebay insurence even conver it? I guess i'll just have to trust him. I just wanted it over quickly as it was completely my fault.

[seongf]

Excuse the typos.

[*tippy*toes* · Accepted solution]

Never ever refund before you get the item back (unless you haven't asked for it back). Once a buyer has the refund, there is no incentive to return it. Sadly, apart from suing them through court, there is very little you can do to get it returned once you've refunded. If you don't follow the rules that eBay have, they won't help you either. That is, accept the return, buyer returns it, you refund. 

Hopefully they are honest enough to return it. Did you send them a postage label to return it?

[seongf]

Nope so i have no choice but to trust them. But nothing i can control. And i learnt my lesson.

[*tippy*toes*]

Fingers crossed then! Most buyers are honest, here's hoping yours is one of them. Keep us posted!

[seongf]

Phew he posted it and gave me a tracking number. Good thing I was trusting. It's an expensive lesson but lesson learnt: Always be careful when you list things on eBay and never offer free postage. It may end up costing you double.

[*tippy*toes*]

Lesson learned should be that you don't refund until you have it back! It didn't matter if you offered free postage or not, as it was not as described, you were obligated to make a full refund including postage both ways.

In hindsight, another option you had was to offer a part refund and he keep the iPad. At least you're getting it back, where you can resell it as the correct model. That really is wonderful news!

Spoiler

Now to add something else to your worry bag.......

Spoiler

Hopefully he sends back the one you sent.....

[clarry100]

Yes... my thoughts too Tippy....

Hopefully not some old non-working model that's been gathering dust out in the shed for a while.