eBay returns advice please

[OGR4M]

Apologies if this is in the wrong place, seems most appropriate being money based.

I sold an item on the popular internet auction site (a camera lens, if it matters (it doesn’t)) and the buyer wants to return for a refund as they say it doesn’t work.

Fair enough, I’m happy to refund the money if the item is defective, it was tested before the sale, but 8 entire days have passed since then, so perhaps the buyer has used it and decided after their recent photography trip that it no longer works...

Anyhoo, once/if I receive the lens back, if I test it and find it to be fully functional, where do I stand regarding a refund/posting the item back and telling the buyer to do one?

I listed the item as ‘no returns accepted’ - obviously if it’s broken then that’s a different matter, but is there a protocol within eBay to protect a seller’s rights (if we have any...) against the misuse of a returns procedure?

Thanks all! And soz etc I’m new to this selling lark

[xjay1337]

Very hard to proove either way.

Besides once returned it's basically impossible to keep your money.

I'd just refund minus a % and then re list.

[trickywoo]

Unless its a deal in person I would never sell anything I couldn't afford to lose / lose the money on via ebay.

You have to be careful as depending on how it was paid for paypal could easily refund the buyer while they still have the item therefore you are down the money and the item.

[OGR4M]

Feared as much - I can withstand the financial loss, as a worst case, so there’s no issue there (obviously I’d prefer not to).

I’ve accepted the return, I’ve just got to wait for the item back now - according to the website the buyer has about 2 weeks in which to send it back, and if I don’t receive it they may just close the request - somehow doubt it’ll come to that, though.

Life goes on, etc - thanks chaps!