"Returns accepted" but do I have to?

[ravenousbugblatterbeast]

I've sold a car cover on ebay which was described as breathable, not described as waterproof, and linked to the product description on the manufacturer's website which said the same. I've just had an email off the buyer complaining that his car is getting wet, and that it's not fit for purpose, and he wants to return it for a full refund.

I only ebay things occasionally, and stupidly didn't notice I'd left in the Returns Accepted box. Do I have to accept the return, as it's exactly as described? And if I do, who pays postage for the return? I'm going to stop ebaying in about a month anyway, so I'm not massively bothered about feedback, but I don't want Paypal wading in and taking money back if I haven't got the cover...

Thanks!

Did you include any text clarifying under which circumstances you would refund? Ie only if mis described? I don't think he would win a significantly not as described (SNAD) claim as it is not mis described but I think your returns accepted text is your problem here. I have also heard of people damaging stuff in order to claim it is not as described so maybe you should just bite the bullet and accept it back. He pays return postage but you will refund including the outgoing postage. He should send it recorded as he will have to prove you have received it back.

Bugger... It just says Returns accepted, no conditions... But he got what he bid for... Maybe if I wait for him to come back to my latest email and offer to refund it but not postage as it's not faulty?

You could try I guess but do you want the hassle? Has it been a long time since he bought it? Some people say that they only accept returns within 7 days but I think if you don't put a date on it they have 28 days to get a refund without a good reason. Perhaps try the answer centre on eBay? There's some really knowledgeable people on there.

You can accept it back but you don't have to pay his postage. If there's nothing wrong with it he can pay to send it back.

If you sold it exactly as described you are perfectly entitled to tell him that. If you accept it back you are doing so entirely as a goodwill gesture. You are not obliged to accept it back if it is exactly as you described and you could point that out to him and ask him exactly which rule it contravenes. He might have a job explaining it to eBay unless he lies about it. It's probably not worth the hassle really.

Thanks very much. I tried searching the Answer Centre but there were over 2000 hits for "return" so I've lost the will to live. It was sold at the end of April, so within 28 days. I'll try the goodwill return if he comes back again, but via trackable means, at his cost, see what happens..

Surely it can't be a return as he has used it so it's not in a saleable condition? Its got to be a not as described.

It was already used though, I'd used it for years outside, and my car survived! No word from him since 6pm yesterday, so either I brace myself for Paypal weighing in, or he's seen that it is actually what he bought and he gets on with it. Fingers crossed...

actually unless a business seller selling under BIN you do not have to refund postage either way just hammer price

if a business seller is using auction format distance selling regulations do not apply it is only with BIN pricing

to save dispute agree to refund when he returns of item price alone, it is up to him whether he sends signed for as if you say not returned he will have to prove he did, but I presume you would not lie about that anyway

an item that is well used is less likely to win dispute but i would save yourself the agro and refund on return

If he hadn't used it then you would have to accept the return, even though as described.

But he can't return it now as he has used it. The item was as described and it's his carelessness for not paying attention. I have made similar errors in the past but I wouldnt expect the seller to refund me after I'd used the item just because I hadnt looked properly.

Thanks very much, this is really helpful. He's gone quiet now, hopefully he's realised he's being a bit daft and it does enough to be going on with..!

Right, I give up! He's now emailed the company who made/make the cover and some eejit has emailed him back saying it should keep the car dry.. I've just phoned them and they've agreed that wasn't strictly true, it does just what I've been telling him, allows it to get wet in pouring rain and then lets it dry without rusting.

Ah well, I've told him to send it back and I'll refund purchase price as a goodwill gesture if it's undamaged. See if he starts squawking about postage..

Anyone wanna buy a car cover...?

Depends... Does it keep the car dry?

Hmmmmm.......