@souraji,
It doesn't sound as though your buyer has followed the correct procedure.
@souraji wrote:
Sep. 8 :
The buyer requested a return
AS DISCUSSED THIS FAULTY ITEM HAS BEEN PLACED IN THE MAIL BOX WITH RETURN TO SENDER ON IT PLEASE REFUND MY MONEY URGENTLY
Rubrication mine.
If your buyer has indeed "placed in the mail box with return to sender on it", that means he/she hasn't done what's required in order to be covered by eBay's MBG.
❝The buyer is responsible for:
- Returning the item using the postage label or other reasonable return method supplied by the seller❞
You've stated (or implied, rather) that you were happy to supply a return postage label, but the buyer didn't wait for this and tried to bypass the whole procedure by doing an inappropriate Return to Sender. (This is against AP's terms of service.)
Therefore the buyer cannot provide a tracking number.
It is impossible for the buyer to prove that he/she has returned the item.
DO NOT ASK EBAY TO STEP IN.
Rather, wait for the parcel to be returned to you. It's probably not worth stirring up a can of worms by informing AP of the inappropriate use of RTS, but that's between you and the buyer.
Once the parcel has been received, examine the item and ensure that it is in the same condition as when you sent it. If it is, then of course the right thing to do is to issue a refund. That's irrespective of whether there is any proof that the item was sent back to you.
I would very very very strongly suggest that you don't engage combatively with the buyer. Keep it professional, even if the buyer is in the wrong. Keep it minimal, as well.
If the item doesn't arrive, and the request is about to time out (because the buyer hasn't any proof of return), let it time out. You do not want to make the buyer aware of the shady idea you've mentioned.
If you are truly worried about receiving an empty box or something of that sort, make sure that you have an official witness before you open anything that might be the "returned item".
... You've already has "the talk" about giving positive feedback with negative comment to a buyer. I'm going to reinforce that's already been said. Not only is it against eBay policy to give that sort of feedback (which means that eBay may sanction you), but it also makes you as the seller look worse than the neg given to you by the buyer.
As a general rule, I believe it's a good practice to take some time away from any keyboard whatsoever when you receive a negative from a buyer. Hit a punching bag, or go for a long walk - but come back with frustrations somewhat relieved and look calmly at the situation. You know that the buyer's feedback was based on his/her own world view (and that world view was that they get back instant full refund just on their say-so of having returned the item, or even better, getting full refund without having to return item - which of course is an unrealistic world view). With that in mind, what is their feedback worth?
