To not accept an eBay return?

[NorthStarGrassman]

I use eBay very infrequently and have never come across this before, so not sure what the done thing is!

Recently sold a few things on there, nothing expensive, mostly around £5. Made sure it said that I didn't accept returns as frankly not worth the time and effort for the amount I was selling for. One of the buyers has messaged to ask if they can return one of the items. I know I don't have to, but is there any eBay etiquette around this? Am I likely to get a negative review etc? And if I should stick to my guns, can anyone suggest an appropriate polite response?!

The issue is that there's nothing stopping them opening a case with ebay, saying it's not as described - if you don't then accept it back (at your expense) then eBay are likely to find in the buyer's favour, let them keep it and refund them in full - then charging you for the refund.

I'd go on to the ebay community boards - sellers' forum- and ask for the best way to handle this.

There is nothing you can do, eBay will always side with the buyer. I had the exact same thing happen to me, someone won an auction for a Next top that had never been worn for 99p, she decided it didn't fit so wanted me to pay for her to return it, it would have cost 3 times the cost of the item to return it. I refused, she left negative feedback and eBay won't remove it.

I'd allow her to return it - but she pays for postage.

What foureyes said. If she opens a case you're bound to end up having to refund and she may well leave negative feedback if you've not been receptive. eBay side with the buyer so much putting 'no returns' is almost worthless.

I'd grin and bear it and just tell her to send it back and you'll refund her when it arrives (at her cost). It is rubbish though

Even if you refuse, eBay will find in the buyer's favour and dock your PayPal account for the refund (postage and the item) and the return postage costs, so you massively lose out. Sometimes it's better to let them keep the item rather than asking for it to be returned, if the return postage will mean an overall lost.

I've been stung like this a couple of times as a seller and I've stopped selling on ebay because of it. It's really unfair!

You can't say, No Returns' -it's meaningless. Why do they want to return it?

What reason has the buyer given for wanting to return the item? If, for example, they've sent a message saying it doesn't fit/don't like it, then open a return saying not as described/damaged, eBay would intervene.

Sorry, I should really have put the reason for return in the OP! Message clearly states it's because of the fit. Would eBay still rule against me in a dispute? Along with the request for the return I had a line from eBay saying I wasn't obliged to accept (or similar - can't remember exact wording).

Sounds like I will have to take the return then. Is it ok to tell the buyer they have to pay postage and only return the amount they paid for the item minus my postage charge? That might put them off as I think they'd only be saving a couple of quid.

Thanks very much for all your advice!

Depends on the reason for return. If it's a not as described return, you have to return all the money because it's technically your fault. If they've changed their mind, cover the item price and keep postage money.

Sellers. keep putting 'no returns', but you have to accept returns. I never sell anything of great value - if it's not worth a lot just refund and let it go if you don't want the hassle.

It's more than likely that eBay will side with you in this case. They do not always side with the buyer - it's all about making sure your descriptions are absolutely right.
If you've listed the item as the correct size (did you give actual measurements?) then it's more than likely you would not have to accept the return. You might pick up some negative feedback though so it's worth considering that. Might be easier to allow the buyer to return the item at their own cost?

They are cheeky asking for a return when you don't do returns. Especially on the grounds of fit. You aren't a business. I sell stuff on eBay sometimes and if I sell say 10-20 items and one wants a refund I just give the refund and tell them to charity shop the item. Not worth getting it back for under £5 particularly as they may find a way to sting you for the return postage and/or give you neutral/negative feedback. It's worth refunding an amount under £5 to keep your feedback intact imo. Not worth the conflict and hassle. You encountered someone entitled - they want to return a non returnable item.