Buyer saying item is fake!

[Brockilly]

Hello, having a bit of a problem.

Sold a Tiffany necklace that I am 110% confident is genuine (gift from colleagues when leaving my old job 5 years or so ago).

Sold it, buyer paid via PayPal, sent it, buyer messages me today suggesting it isn't genuine because she had a similar one that she lost and mine isn't as "heavy" as hers (even though hers is lost and she doesn't have it there to compare!).

I know this isn't a fake item but whatever, maybe she has changed her mind. My listing said no returns but for harmony's sake, will offer a refund and relist.

All I would like to know is whether it is my right to only provide a refund once the item has been returned to me. She's asking for the refund and then she will send it back but I could be seriously out of pocket here. What is ebay/paypal's rule here?

Thanks all for any assistance.

[Saltire]

As far as I know, ebay rules are that you have to return the item then get the refund.

[WowOoo]

Common sense would tell me not to refund until you have the item back.
I've read that before and it makes sense because you could refund and then never see your necklace.

Good luck, it's these stories that keep putting me off selling on ebay.

[MissGarth]

I have heard of this happening as a scam- unsuspecting seller refunds as buyer is getting increasingly irate item was a fake, the moment the refund goes through the seller never receives the item back or hears from them again

Be careful!

Ebay policy is no refund without return first and make sure you state that you recommend she gets proof of postage as no returns without actual receipt of goods

[nickstmoritz]

There is absolutely NO WAY I would refund before having this necklace back and buyer should pay postage. Unless they can prove it is a fake you have done nothing wrong.

[LilyBossom]

you need to tell the buyer to return the item, and once you have checked your security marks you will refund.

It goes without saying, no return - no refund.

[Brockilly]

Thank you all, this is what I thought. I have informed the buyer that I will not refund unless I have received the item back.

I was wondering whether I could refuse the refund on the basis that she hasn't proved its a fake and suggest she go get the proof but just thinking its not worth it, she's lost out on a lovely necklace at a cheap price, would like to keep my 100% 600-odd feedback, one of which is another Tiffany necklace I had that I sold a couple of years ago.

Should have known that this would be a headache, am aware there are so many fakes out there and this could have opened me up to this sort of thing. Of well, live and learn!

[DipMeInChocolate]

be careful she doesn't return a fake

[PrincessFlirtyPants]

That's exactly what I was thinking DipMe

[LilyBossom]

no you can't refuse to refund - if the buyer opens a case ebay will force you to refund.

[eatriskier]

When you get it back have a good check. There's a well known scam (mainly with handbags) where people sell genuines, are told they are fake and ebay forces the return and refund policy. Only for the buyers to send back a very similar fake and keep the original genuine item.

[Brockilly]

That thought had also occurred to me DipMeInChocolate,but I guess this is the risk you take on ebay.

Bit of a minefield isn't it...!

[PrincessFlirtyPants]

eatriskier what fuckers!!

[Brockilly]

Couldn't agree more Princess! All I'm trying to do is sell a few unused bits to pay off the old credit card. Not sure the aggro is worth it, think id rather be paying the interest!

[eatriskier]

Definitely princess

Brock I hope that isn't going to be pulled one you. Oh, don't think its been mentioned but you don't have to refund their postage either.

[lljkk]

Could be wardrobing, too.

[PrincessFlirtyPants]

Stuff like that makes me so it's theft, surely?! And eBay allow this to happen. Not sure how they would stop it though

lljkk what's wardrobing?! Wearing it out then returning it?

[lljkk]

Yes, had a feature on 5Live about wardrobing this morning. Lots of listeners texting in anecdotes about all kinds of goods being wardrobed. I've read a few stories where Ebay buyer raises a case saying item is damaged/smelly/stained; buyer wins case and seller finds item is still in pristine condition. Very confusing, unless...