Question About Returns And Money Back Guarantee On Ebay

I've been looking to fill a key issue in my Ireland collection, SC 38. The key identification is a measurement between letters on the overprint (1/2 mm). It's not rocket science but often it's difficult to tell from a scan.

I pulled the trigger once and had to return the stamp. It was from a big dealer and I violated my own rule and didn't ask questions. Another was pulled when the seller re-measured after I asked. So I'm really gun shy about pulling the trigger again. For me, it's pricey stamp.

There are some currently offered on ebay but the seller has the policy of "Seller does not offer returns." I'm not going to buy from someone who doesn't stand behind what they sell. But it got me wondering, ebay still offers its "money back guarantee if the item is not as described." What would happen if someone purchased the stamp and it wasn't as described and the seller didn't offer returns? Is the seller then required to accept the return or does ebay make a refund and the buyer keeps the stamp? I doubt that the latter is the case.
It looks like a situation that is a mess waiting to happen. I'm curious if someone has experienced this situation or if I am missing something on ebay policy.
Thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dan

ebay policies always trumps seller's policies regardless whatever the seller has written in the description. Sellers have to accept returns or ebay will force them to do so by charging the seller the amount to be refunded.

Battlestamps,

That's pretty much what I thought. However, I could see a scenario degrading into a "it is as described -- no it isn't" contest, a big hassle. I'm patient so I'm going to spend my pennies elsewhere.

Thanks.

Dan

There is no downside for the buyer, in effect it is an approval purchase **. Regardless of a seller's bogus policy of no returns - as is. This is just a distraction for the buyer, as the seller's policies do not trump ebay buyer protection - just as Battlestamps wrote above. Of course sellers know that a no return policy is bogus, which raises the question, why have the policy to begin with...
John
** For PayPal and credit card purchases, of course. Cash and money orders are a bit more tricky.

I read some interesting comments re: ebay policies within an ebay community.
I understand that ebay's policy was changed to the detriment of sellers.
Now buyers simply have to lodge a complaint that the received goods are not what they wanted, and ebay evidently will refund the sales amount from the seller's PayPal account. I do not have direct experience with this. And if true, I am shocked to hear that ebay can gain access to a seller's PayPal account.

That's probably spelled out somewhere deep in the policy that you agree to as a seller. But that's assuming also that there is anything in the seller's Paypal account to take back.

Doesn't ebay own PayPal?

Currently they do. But they are splitting the companies.

littleriverphil:

ebay does own PayPal, but they are splitting soon into two separate companies again...
John

While ebay's policy trumps the seller's, I am not sure I would do business with any seller that states they have a "no return" policy. Just doesn't seem like a reputable dealer.

Simple. They are betting that a percentage of naive buyers will not know that ebay requires permitting returns, and those buyers will be deterred from attempting a return. Consequently at least some bogus sales will not be returned and the buyer profits. So, as others have commented, it must be asked if one wants to do business with a seller who attempts to deceive at least some buyers.

I have had one buyer request a refund of an item bought from me on e-bay. It was for an Israel Remembrance cover. The buyer claimed that the item was missing the letter that normally is in the cover and demanded a refund. I pointed out that the description of the item clearly stated that the letter was not included. E-bay decided to refund the buyer the price of the item, but did not take the money from me. My wife sold a doll on e-bay, and the buyer simply said they changed there mind and didn't want it anymore. E-bay offered my wife 2 choices, deny the refund, or offer the refund while allowing the buyer to keep the item. She denied the refund, and the case ended there.

Thanks to everyone for your comments.

What confuses me is why ebay would even allow a seller a "returns not accepted" option when it gives the buyer a money back guarantee and, apparently, enforces it on the seller.

I can't speak to the seller's intent but it will be a cold day in you-know-where before I even think about buying from anyone who lists that return policy. It is aggravation waiting to happen.

Dan

I've sold stuff on ebay and seen that on my own listings. It certainly wasn't something I intended to show on the listing, it just appeared by itself. So, it's possible the listings you are looking at are the same. If you message the seller about his policy, you might get some news which will put your mind at rest.

"No returns" is pretty standard practice for second-hand goods in the non-ebay world. For stamps, auction houses - here at least - usually make specific reference to this in respect of bulk lots, for obvious reasons.

"No returns" isn't a problem if an item is described clearly, completely and thoroughly. I don't have a problem buying "as is" as long as I know what "as is" actually is. Even if it's sold "as is", I'd exercise the ebay money back guarantee if it turns out to be significanly not as described.