Refunding the buyer on ebay's half.com?

Question

I have just sold a text book to someone through ebay's half.com. The buyer received the book and is now requesting a refund and he will send the book back. He said he dropped the class the book was required for and doesn't need the book. After thouroughly reading half.com's policies, I think that I don't not need to refund him. I have quite a busy schedule right now and having to go to the trouble to return the money and sell the book again not only takes more of my time, but I'm losing money I may need in the near future.

Do I legally have to give him a refund? I don't want to get in any disagreement where I have to spend more of my time.

Answer 1

Nope you don't. the only exception to this is if in your auction you stated that you would refund the item for specific reasons.

Buyers can request a refund if the item isnt what was descriped, is drastically diff etc not becasue they changed thier minds.Save the emails he sends stating he doesnt want it because his classes changed so if he emails them claiming a diff reason for return you have proof.

Good luck

Answer 2

I am going through the same exact situation right now, very frustrating. I sold a book to a girl and her professor changed the book so she wants a refund. I told her no. On half.com website it says the seller HAS to give a refund if something is wrong with the item (such as damaged, not the way you described it, or if nothing is in the package, things in that nature). Other than that all sales are final. The girl keeps sending me emails through half.com stating she wants to send the book back. I told her sorry but no and told her to go read the Buyer Return Policy. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Oh my God! You too!? I am having a VERY similar problem! I sold this book to someone online and shipped it out right after New Year's. They just contacted me today saying that their professor changed the book last minute and that she would be returning the book for a refund. I told her that I am a student, not a store (as nicely as I could) and that all sales are final per half.com's policy. I use the money I make on half to buy the books I need and I already spent the money! She kept sending me harassing emails about how she would contact her credit card company to put a stop payment on the order and file fraud claims if she didn't get a refund and I sent her a copy of the return policy. In short, it explains that a seller CAN issue a refund, but that it is completely up to the seller unless something is wrong with the book and it was not accurately described.

BUYER RETURN POLICY:
If you receive an item different than described, damaged, not of stated quality, or the package arrives empty, you can use Half.com's Email Forwarding System to contact the seller and resolve the issue.

1.

Click the My Account link near the top right of the page. You may be asked to sign in.
2.

Click the Purchases link. Your most recent purchases will be listed on this page.
*

If the purchase in question is not on this page, you can choose a past view from the drop down menu to the right next to "Period:" Then click "Go"
*

If the purchase in question is not on this page and you have the transaction number, enter it in the "View Transaction:" box and click the "Go" button.
*

If the purchase in question is not on this page and you have the transaction number, enter it in the "Search Transaction" box and click the "Search button."
3.

Once you've located the purchase, click the corresponding "Contact Seller" link on the right side of the screen. We strongly recommend that you send a copy of this email to your self. "Send me a copy of this email." button will be checked by default

With seller approval or the approval of Half.com, a buyer may return an item. This would include empty packages. Sellers may need the empty package in order to submit a shipping carrier claim. A buyer will have 7 days to return an item once the return has been authorized. A tracking/delivery confirmation number must be provided by the buyer if a seller disputes receipt or the timeliness of the return. In the event of a dispute, a full refund may not be issued if the item was not shipped within 7 days of return approval or if tracking/delivery confirmation cannot be provided by the buyer. As the shipper at this point, the buyer is responsible for the item reaching the seller and we strongly urge buyers to purchase shipping insurance since Half.com is not responsible for loss or damage during shipping.

Half.com reserves the right to make the final decision regarding refunds in these matters. We urge buyers and sellers to keep copies of all email correspondence related to the return. Please note that items purchased from Half.com sellers need to be returned directly to the seller and not to Half.com. Half.com approval to return would come through the Claim process. Return shipping is reimbursed at no more than the shipping amount originally paid. NOTE: Sellers must provide a United States return shipping address.

You may not contact the seller (or submit a Buyer Protection Policy Claim to Half.com) if you have instructed your credit card company to charge back the disputed item. Buyers who go though their credit card company to dispute a charge may lose their privilege to buy or sell on Half.com.
I received the wrong item; I received a damaged item; I received an empty package; I received an item which is not of the promised quality.

If you have a problem with your order, we first ask that you contact the seller directly through the Half.com buyer-seller communication system to try and find a resolution. You may contact a seller via Half.com's email forwarding system only once you have successfully completed a transaction with that seller. Once you have completed a transaction you may contact the seller about the transaction for up to 60 days. When you use the email forwarding system, Half.com will send the seller an email with your comments/questions, information about the transaction and your reply email address.

To contact a seller, sign in following the steps below.

1.

Click the My Account link near the top right of the page. You may be asked to sign in.
2.

Click the Purchases link. Your most recent purchases will be listed on this page.
*

If the purchase in question is not on this page, you can choose a past view from the drop down menu to the right next to "Period:" Then click "Go"
*

If the purchase in question is not on this page and you have the transaction number, enter it in the "Search Transaction" box and click the "Search button."
*

If the purchase in question is not on this page and you do not have the transaction number, you can locate the purchase by the Seller ID and clicking the "Search button."
3.

Once you've located the purchase, click the corresponding "Contact Seller" link on the right side of the screen. We strongly recommend that you send a copy of this email to your self. "Send me a copy of this email." button will be checked by default.

If you and the seller are unable to amicably resolve the dispute with your order, we then recommend that you file a Buyer Protection Claim. Please note that this form is only accessible after you have contacted the seller via the steps provided above. To file a Buyer Protection Claim please follow the same steps above and click on the "File Claim" button on the Details page. Please carefully review the information located on that page and follow the instructions. For more information about our Buyer Protection Policy, please click here.

My item took a long time to arrive. While I was waiting, I bought it elsewhere.

At Half.com, purchases are made from other Half.com members. Due to the nature of our site, orders can not be cancelled by the buyer once they are placed. All sales are final, except for those cases defined in the Half.com Buyer Protection Policy.


Alternately, if you would like to contact the seller to work something out you can do so by following the instructions below. Please note that the seller is neither required to cancel the purchase nor issue a refund.

1.

Click the My Account link near the top right of the page. You may be asked to sign in.
2.

Click the Purchases link. Your most recent purchases will be listed on this page.
*

If the purchase in question is not on this page, you can choose a past view from the drop down menu to the right next to "Period:" Then click "Go"
*

If the purchase in question is not on this page and you have the transaction number, enter it in the "Search Transaction" box and click the "Search button."
*

If the purchase in question is not on this page and you do not have the transaction number, you can locate the purchase by the Seller ID and clicking the "Search button."
3.

Once you've located the purchase, click the corresponding "Contact Seller" link on the right side of the screen. We strongly recommend that you send a copy of this email to your self. "Send me a copy of this email." button will be checked by default.

Fraud will never pay at Half.com

Attempts to abuse the Half.com Buyer Protection Policy will be investigated very seriously. Half.com reserves the right to suspend the membership of any Buyer or Seller we feel has attempted to commit fraud by misusing this policy for his or her own personal gain. Half.com also reserves the right to reduce your Seller's account balance, withdrawal from a Seller's Direct Deposit account or charge the Seller's credit card in order to recover damages related to fraud. In addition, abuse of this policy is a criminal offense and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.


I hope this helps at least somewhat. I know people can be malicious and who's to say that when they receive the item, they won't destroy it and blame it on the seller, but at least you know that there are some protections for you as a seller and as long as you keep the emails you should be fine. Good Luck!!

Answer 4

I think it depends