Quick question re. eBay returns when item is defective, should I be expected to pay return postage?

[Whoknewitcouldbeso]

Phone cover arrived well packaged but split at the bottom. I didn't notice initially until I put it on my phone and the bottom basically split apart into pieces.

The company has accepted the return due to it being defective, but is making me pay for a tracked service. As the item has basically cost £10 im irritated that I'm expected to suck this up as I know tracked postage can be expensive.

I have messages them to ask if the postage costs will be reimbursed but I wondered if anyone knew if I had any rights in this area according to eBay?

Thank you

[19lottie82]

No. They should pay. Have you opened a SNAD (not as described) case with eBay? If not do so and they should give you a prepaid (tracked) label.

[mariat293]

The seller doesn't have to pay for postage no, but you shouldn't have to pay tracked postage, especially for a £10 item. I would message them asking if it's okay to post through normal postage.

[19lottie82]

Mariat193. Yes, the seller DOES have to pay for return postage if the item is faulty / not as described. And sending in tracked is a bad idea. The seller can claim is hasn't arrived and won't have to refund. eBay can only force a refund from the seller if there is proof of attempted delivery.

Bad advice here. Sorry!

[Naoko]

No. Get Ebay to rule on it, when this happened to me I argued with Ebay until they saw sense and issued me a paypal credit so I could buy postage with it, then recouped it from the rude and uncooperative seller. At which point that wasn't my problem any more.

[zombiesarecoming]

If it's a business seller then they have to pay return postage

Just open up an item not as described case through ebay and after the relevant time scale escalate if and ebay will send you a postage label to use and charge the seller for it, you should get refunded in full including your postage cost when you ordered it with it being faulty

[Whoknewitcouldbeso]

Ok he has got back to me and said he will pay return postage of a tracked service if I send him a photo of the receipt. I'm going to send via courier I think as it's cheaper than the Royal Mail tracked service. I just hope he pays up and doesn't try to wriggle out of the refund.

[19lottie82]

He will be able to "wriggle out of it" ask him to send you a prepaid MyHermes label. They're only £2.68 or similar.

[mariat293]

19lottie82, I didn't know it was in eBay's terms. I sell on ebay and have never had to pay the return postage.

[zombiesarecoming]

Maria are you selling on eBay as a business or private seller ?

If a private seller you have a lot less obligations legally than a business seller does

[mariat293]

I am down as a business seller but I also don't let eBay know about a refund taking place sort of thing as it damages the seller standards. I've not had anyone ask me to pay postage yet but its good to know if one was to ask in the future.

[zombiesarecoming]

As a business seller always state in your listings returns at buyers expense, BUT you are legally obliged to have the item collected at your expense or refund return postage if it is faulty or you send the incorrect item

If you don't do returns through ebay then you are still paying commission on the sale even though you have had the item back and refunded if

I am still on top rated seller, power seller or whatever they call it this week and I have had a few returns this last year, most just buyer change of mind but with no effect on seller ratings