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Mon Nov 17 2025 14:18:43

eBay Buyer Finds Way to Skirt Return Shipping

By: Reader

Dear Ina,
I recently had an eBay buyer open a return case on the last day possible (30 days) for a cashmere sweater that supposedly didn't fit. The package was held up at my central distribution center for a really, really long time (USPS inefficiency) and eBay eventually refunded the buyer's money (not on my dime).

I just received noticed that the package is at my post office with postage due. Apparently the buyer shipped the item back COD instead of paying the return shipping herself which she should have since it didn't fit. This buyer has been on eBay for a long time so she knows the rules.

I reported to eBay but I'm wondering if this is a new scam other sellers are seeing. If the package hadn't been held up at the distribution center, would I have been responsible for paying for the shipping because the tracking is now showing "Delivery Attempt: Action Needed: Reminder to Schedule Redelivery of your item before November 21, 2025" and "November 12, 2025 Notice Left (No Secure Location Available)"

I reported her to eBay for this and I'm wondering if other sellers are seeing this as well or am I just lucky?

These buyer scams are like the 'whack a mole' game I played at the amusement park when I was young. I didn't like it then either.
JC

Comments (1) | Permalink

Readers Comments

eBay Buyer Finds Way to Skirt Return Shipping

by: etectra

Tue Nov 18 11:22:21 2025

The buyer can also file a claim with their credit card, payment processor or bank. If they used a bank issued credit card through PayPal then they can file a claim through all three parties - PayPal, credit card company, bank. These third parties will decide the claim, which will be automatically approved for the buyer in 99.99% of cases and then rubber stamped by eBay. PayPal can be up to 180 days later the last time I bothered to read their TOS.

Does not the COD process first involve the buyer paying the return shipping plus a COD fee. The amount demanded for the COD can be just the return postage or can include the COD fee and other fees. Once the receipt of the package pays the fees they are remitted back to the sender.

Is buyer also a MORON? Did buyer go to postage office and pay retail prices on shipping plus the COD instead of simply getting a PirateShip account and sending it the commercial rate.

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