What happens if… buyer refuses to send item back?

[alltoomuchrightnow]

This hasn't actually happened to me with anything I actually care about and would desperately want back
But I'm thinking of listing an original painting (i've done a thread about this before) , which I would send by courier (which i will organise.. i have a good one sorted that Dp uses) or they could pick up from me in person (not arrange own courier, I learnt my lesson there!)

I'm imagining a worst scenario here ….
So if it's courier…. and they don't like the painting… (or I've missed a detail and they open a case, say)..Paypal would refund them. Then I'd have to pay for the return… what if they refuse as too much hassle? Or just pretend to send it, and keep it...
I don't have a leg to stand on, do I?
Has anyone lost items this way? It would be bad enough to lose the sale let alone the item. Wondering if its worth the risk with more expensive items
Any advice appreciated

Well, they would have to return the item before you would refund them! That's how it works. Not sure how ebay works for painting etc - are there more specialist selling sites for art works etc? Could you use ebay chat with an advisor and ask their advice? They're always very helpful.

obviously i would pay for the return, i wouldnt quibble that as don't want to lose the item
but what if they didnt do it
do they still get to keep their refund?

ah ok i thought Paypal refunded automatically
This is why I've stopped sending abroad
e.g. someone in Ukraine would say clothing hadn't turned up
Paypal would refund them straightway with no evidence!

how do you get to chat with advisor?

a not as described case is different to someone claiming not received. In the former case yes they have to return before a refund. But if you have no proof of delivery then yes eBay will refund in full.

If you leave out the courier, and just go for cash on collection, then you should be safe- item is sold as seen, no money has been exchanged through Paypal so they can't force a refund from you.

yes i'd be ok with cash on collection but i think it's more likely to go by courier…
obv i'd send it fully trackable and would have to make sure it was returned in same way… (IF was returned)
So Paypal DEFINITELY wouldnt refund until I could prove it was returned?

It is very rare, but I have heard people say eBay refunded without a return - I have never experienced it though.

I would have thought maybe an auction house would be better for a painting rather than eBay?

i just don't know how to go about it re auction house.. i have no experience whatsoever.

do you pay the auction house? if you set a reserve and it doesn't sell, do you still pay?

I think you just pay commission on the sale price normally. Depends on the auction house probably?