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Sat Dec 27 2025 14:52:15

eBay Let Buyer Skip a Step in Opening a Return

By: Reader

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Dear Ina,
This is the first time I have experienced such an issue on eBay, and I hope it will not happen again for myself or other sellers. 

A buyer was able to open a return request for "wrong item sent/wrong item received" for an item I sold and was NOT required to upload any kind of supporting evidence, like photos which are required for this type of return (claimed SNAD).

 When I go to my own purchase history and go through the steps to open a return, I am required to upload at least one photo to follow through with the request. I have no idea how this slipped through the cracks, and I nor eBay, in this case, have any clue what the buyer is going to send back. 

Unfortunately, I am not expecting any sort of assistance from eBay even though I feel this lays squarely on their system.
J.



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Readers Comments

Perminate Link for eBay Let Buyer Skip a Step in Opening a Return   eBay Let Buyer Skip a Step in Opening a Return

by: etectra This user has validated their user name.

Sat Dec 27 17:43:10 2025

So all the buyer has to do is grab some random item they have on hand and take a photo of that and say that is what they got.

Sometimes they may already have the item you sold them but its broken and they takes photos of the broken it and say that is what they got.

A tracking numbers proves they got a package and not the item.

On the other hand a buyer can send back a empty envelope with the return label and eBay will then say they have no idea who is telling the truth. eBay will say the buyer returned the item and it was you, the seller, who took their return label off the package they returned and stuck it on a empty envelope.

You are dealing with a criminal organization masquerading as a business. The people that run eBay have zero conscience.

Perminate Link for eBay Let Buyer Skip a Step in Opening a Return   eBay Let Buyer Skip a Step in Opening a Return

by: pace306 This user has validated their user name.

Sun Dec 28 00:15:38 2025

Ive also experienced (lately with 2 issues) where buyers can skip opening cases altogether, claim they sent back items, eBay takes the money with OUT PROOF (read tracking info), and lets them give out negative feedback.

I fought both and won only one of the cases. "The buyers word that they shipped back the item after you told them too in your email (duh I had to accept the return - if not you get a defect)(silly eBay doesnt know its own theftastic rules)"

ANY possible way eBay can keep a buyer hapy REGARDLESS of what happened is what they do.

Buyer retention at %101 captain!

Perminate Link for eBay Let Buyer Skip a Step in Opening a Return   eBay Let Buyer Skip a Step in Opening a Return

by: woundedtiger This user has validated their user name.

Mon Dec 29 08:37:58 2025

I am having the same problem now.



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