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9/21/2026 11:03:37 PM EDT
So I recently sold some comics that I felt ranged from good to very good, which I mentioned in the description. I had photos of each comic that could be zoomed in on and the buyer paid full asking price even though offers would have been entertained. I've already been paid by Ebay for the sale. The buyer claims that a few of the comics were in "significantly worse condition" than he thought. I don't feel that I owe them anything and it wasn't a mind blowing price for the lot.

Other than leaving me a negative review, are they able to somehow dispute this issue with Ebay and screw me over financially through them even though I've already been paid out?
9/21/2026 11:06:34 PM EDT
[#1]
Of course they can, it's eBay.  Expect to get screwed over.
9/21/2026 11:09:05 PM EDT
[#2]
I forgot to add, the buyer is asking for a partial refund. Is that preferable to having them try to dispute through Ebay?
9/21/2026 11:09:46 PM EDT
[#3]
I’ve thought about selling some items on eBay and this exact scenario has entered my mind. If it were me, I’d offer to refund the complete amount upon receiving the items back. It’s your word against his and there are so many scammy sellers out there that I can only think this will reflect poorly on your online reputation. Eat the shipping costs and move on.
9/21/2026 11:12:49 PM EDT
[#4]
Partial refund is a scam. Full refund for a return of items, or ignore.

Google it, plenty of topics on crap buyers (and sellers) on ebay.
9/21/2026 11:15:23 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Originally Posted By HunterPhillips:
Partial refund is a scam. Full refund for a return of items, or ignore.

Google it, plenty of topics on crap buyers (and sellers) on ebay.
View Quote

9/21/2026 11:17:06 PM EDT
[#6]
Ebay almost always sides with the buyer even if you have proof. First pass these days
is done with AI, so if they side with the buyer, make sure to contest it. Paypal can (and will)
freeze your entire bank account even before a dispute is settled. I have decades of experience with ebay
and nothing good to say about them. At one time, I had an anchor store (10K items). Good luck!
"Everyone dies. To do so for something worthwhile is a rare privilege." -- JamesP81

Sometimes, ridicule isn't a weapon. In many cases, it's just society's signal that you're retarded. - bigfatOTMs
9/21/2026 11:26:50 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Flushdraw:
Ebay almost always sides with the buyer even if you have proof. First pass these days
is done with AI, so if they side with the buyer, make sure to contest it. Paypal can (and will)
freeze your entire bank account even before a dispute is settled. I have decades of experience with ebay
and nothing good to say about them. At one time, I had an anchor store (10K items). Good luck!
View Quote



25 years ago Ebay was, at least in comparison, awesome!

I made selling (very low volume) a hobby to support my other hobbies; buy a piece of audio gear, get to play around with it, sell it to fund next in line.

When they made the rule that sellers couldn't leave negative feedback for buyers I bailed. Buyer's always right? Bullshit, buyer wants the item for free.

Just no
9/21/2026 11:32:10 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Originally Posted By konger:
I've thought about selling some items on eBay and this exact scenario has entered my mind. If it were me, I'd offer to refund the complete amount upon receiving the items back. It's your word against his and there are so many scammy sellers out there that I can only think this will reflect poorly on your online reputation. Eat the shipping costs and move on.
View Quote
Same. Negotiation takes place on the front end, not the back end. This is why I don't sell on eBay, even though I would like to.
9/21/2026 11:32:20 PM EDT
[#9]
FPNI I get bit by the same snake on some old SoF magazines.

American by birth. Southern by the grace of God.

Any opinions expressed are my own and do not reflect upon any agency or organization with which I may be employed or affiliated.
9/21/2026 11:36:15 PM EDT
[#10]
I used to sell a lot of stuff on eBay as did my wife.

Too many ways to get screwed these days.

Now if I want to sell something it goes on facebook marketplace for face to face cash sales.

I might not get as much but far less chance of getting hosed.
9/21/2026 11:42:29 PM EDT
[#11]
Now you see why I look at eBay and neither sell nor buy on there anymore.
RIP Jeff Reed. Tennessee Squire, Ga. Carry member, NRA,Non-puking 72 ounce drinker 2 of 6 Norcal call sign, Forgotten.
9/21/2026 11:43:17 PM EDT
[#12]
Interesting. Thanks for the input! So basically, offer a full refund once items are returned, if not then leave it?

As long as I msg the buyer through Ebay, then the Ebay mods can see that contact and realize the buyer had an out and thus should "side" with me if they still try to dispute it?
9/21/2026 11:45:19 PM EDT
[Last Edit: www-glock19-com][Edited] [#13]
Originally Posted By battleshipgrey:
So I recently sold some comics that I felt ranged from good to very good, which I mentioned in the description. I had photos of each comic that could be zoomed in on and the buyer paid full asking price even though offers would have been entertained. I've already been paid by Ebay for the sale. The buyer claims that a few of the comics were in "significantly worse condition" than he thought. I don't feel that I owe them anything and it wasn't a mind blowing price for the lot.

Other than leaving me a negative review, are they able to somehow dispute this issue with Ebay and screw me over financially through them even though I've already been paid out?
View Quote
Yes it's called INAD .
Item not as described.
Tell them if they are not satisfied then they need to open a case with Ebay. And do not respond directly to them anymore as most are just fishing to see what you'll offer.
99% of the time you'll never hear from them again.
If they open a case they have to ship the item back to you ( you'll have to cover their shipping)
Again 90% of the time they won't go through the trouble to actually send it back .


Originally Posted By BigeasySnow:
It’s the internet. It’s for bitching.
9/21/2026 11:46:34 PM EDT
[#14]
You have them initiate a return through eBay for item not as described. Or just ignore them and let them figure out the process.
Yesterday 12:02:42 AM EDT
[#15]
This is just a negotiating tactic... they got the goods, and now they try to demand partial refunds. They probably do this on everything they buy.

Sadly ebay will side with them.
Yesterday 12:05:49 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Metonymy:
Of course they can, it's eBay.  Expect to get screwed over.
View Quote



Attached File
Yesterday 12:06:42 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote History
Originally Posted By www-glock19-com:
Yes it's called INAD .
Item not as described.
Tell them if they are not satisfied then they need to open a case with Ebay. And do not respond directly to them anymore as most are just fishing to see what you'll offer.
99% of the time you'll never hear from them again.
If they open a case they have to ship the item back to you ( you'll have to cover their shipping)
Again 90% of the time they won't go through the trouble to actually send it back .


View Quote
This.

only I would do it in a polite way. Something like if they're not satisfied open up a case to keep it a professional refund or whatever only two try to avoid a negative feedback.
Yesterday 1:23:31 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote History
Originally Posted By battleshipgrey:
I forgot to add, the buyer is asking for a partial refund. Is that preferable to having them try to dispute through Ebay?
View Quote

I have no idea how comic books are graded, but in the past when I feel like someone is trying to scam a partial refund I immediately offer to pay return shipping and refund them for everything when the items arrive. People are lazy, and I rarely had to actually do it.
Yesterday 1:33:20 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote History
Originally Posted By HunterPhillips:
Partial refund is a scam. Full refund for a return of items, or ignore.

Google it, plenty of topics on crap buyers (and sellers) on ebay.
View Quote

Yesterday 6:40:12 AM EDT
[#20]
I would consider the legitimacy of the partial refund first. eBay has a unique ability to screw the buyer and the seller sometimes.

Consider that getting them back, the condition will likely worsen.

I’ve asked for partial refunds for INAD. I have done this on gunbroker and eBay. It always comes down to the quality of pics and shipping condition.

One example was a S&W 17-3. Great gun. It was super loose and had excessive wear not shown in the pics. I figured shims might work, but it may need a gunsmith to the tune of $300+.  Return shipping would have been $50. So I asked for $100 partial refund and we agreed on $50 or $75. I had slightly less into shimming and that repair is so-so, but it worked. We both took some risk.

Had a watch on eBay that came in the wrong box and weird tags being sold as NIB….fake watch alarms going off in my head. It was a $175 watch bought for like $130. Asked for a $30 refund as who is gonna make fake low end Casio’s? Seems real, but had the seller said. Comes in weird box with weird tags, but it’s real, eBay watch folks would have valued it at like $75.

I could and would send both back, but why? I was mostly concerned about the sellers undescribed problem becoming mine!
Yesterday 7:02:26 AM EDT
[#21]
Quote History
Originally Posted By www-glock19-com:
Yes it's called INAD .
Item not as described.
Tell them if they are not satisfied then they need to open a case with Ebay. And do not respond directly to them anymore as most are just fishing to see what you'll offer.
99% of the time you'll never hear from them again.
If they open a case they have to ship the item back to you ( you'll have to cover their shipping)
Again 90% of the time they won't go through the trouble to actually send it back .


View Quote



Yep. There are always  people wired to always claw money back-asking is free. I always reply with “I’ll refund your purchase. Pack it up and ship it back.” They rarely do-it disarms any argument they have with Feebay.

Never mud wrestle with a pig, they enjoy it a little too much.
Never make another person a priority when they merely see you as an option...

"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
Yesterday 7:05:20 AM EDT
[Last Edit: DKUltra][Edited] [#22]
Answered above

Ebay generally favors the buyer, in disputes.
Yesterday 7:26:25 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote History
Originally Posted By TN-MadDog:
I used to sell a lot of stuff on eBay as did my wife.

Too many ways to get screwed these days.

Now if I want to sell something it goes on facebook marketplace for face to face cash sales.

I might not get as much but far less chance of getting hosed.
View Quote


This is the only way.
Yesterday 7:52:37 AM EDT
[#24]
What terms did you have in your listing?  Condition is subjective.  I've had eBay side with me in the past on condition disputes.  I always try to under promise and over deliver though.  Better to indicate condition is worse than what pictures seem to indicate.

At the end of the day, it's up to you how to proceed.  Worst case is you'll get stuck accepting a return, just depends if you want to do that now or wait until eBay possibly forces the return.
Yesterday 7:58:56 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote History
Originally Posted By battleshipgrey:
I forgot to add, the buyer is asking for a partial refund. Is that preferable to having them try to dispute through Ebay?
View Quote

First rule of ebay: the seller is always wrong.
Second rule of ebay: never link your main bank account to ebay or paypal. (I have an account especially for use with those that I never keep any money in and remove money as soon as it goes into them)
Third rule of ebay: don't sell on ebay. It's become a hive of scum and villainy. Everyone on ebay are either scammers,theives, or just plain stupid.
Yesterday 8:56:46 AM EDT
[#26]
About ten minutes after eBay removed the ability for sellers to leave negative feedback I had a douchebag do that to me. i promptly refunded the $50, told him to keep it and never sold another thing on there again.

I'll give good shit away on Craigslist or just toss it in the trash rather than deal with those scumbags.
incompetent, irrelevant, and immaterial
Yesterday 9:04:53 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote History
Originally Posted By battleshipgrey:
I forgot to add, the buyer is asking for a partial refund. Is that preferable to having them try to dispute through Ebay?
View Quote


Never issue a partial refund.  Always ask for the whole lot to be returned.
Yesterday 9:55:02 AM EDT
[#28]
I have sold a lot on eBay.  I've had a couple of disputes and eBay actually sided with me.  I took a lot of pictures of the items and had a good description of the items.  I have made a partial refund on some items that could have been as the buyer described.  I would let the buyer jump through the hoops of an eBay dispute and see if they are really serious or if they have buyers remorse and just want the items for a cheaper price.  If you documented the items and had an accurate description, eBay should find in your favor.  Either way the worst case scenario is you get your stuff back and they get a refund.  Don't get too worked up over it, it's the eBay way, LoL.  I have scaled back my eBay sales because of the fees and the cost of shipping.  

My last negative eBay interaction was over a sale of some HK MP5 parts.  The buyer bought my part, said it was the wrong part so I told him to send it back to me and I would refund his money.  He sent the part back and he sent me the wrong part.  He maintained it was the part I sent him.  I photographed the part he sent me and the one I sent him showing they were different.   After a back and forth, he admitted it wasn't the same part but at least it was a genuine HK part .  I just gave up and kept his part and he kept mine.  My only recourse is I will never sell to him again.
Yesterday 10:07:58 AM EDT
[#29]
Give him a partial refund probably they only way to end up with some money. Otherwise what is going to happen is he will request a full refund and get it then he will send you, some paper in a box and ebay won't care. He will keep the comics and get his money back.
Yesterday 10:14:02 AM EDT
[#30]
Quote History
Originally Posted By HunterPhillips:
Partial refund is a scam. Full refund for a return of items, or ignore.

Google it, plenty of topics on crap buyers (and sellers) on ebay.
View Quote


This. They're just fishing for a discount. Tell them they can return for a refund or keep it.
Yesterday 10:16:07 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote History
Originally Posted By RogueSpear2023:
Give him a partial refund probably they only way to end up with some money. Otherwise what is going to happen is he will request a full refund and get it then he will send you, some paper in a box and ebay won't care. He will keep the comics and get his money back.
View Quote


It doesn’t go anywhere but I report those buyers to FBI IC3 and usps inspection service. At least it puts them on someone’s list.
Yesterday 11:57:41 AM EDT
[#32]
Thanks for all the input! I really appreciate it. I'll politely tell them they're free to start a case with Ebay.
Yesterday 12:20:02 PM EDT
[#33]
My retirement side gig for several years was selling stuff on eBay. I quit several years ago because of the buyer shenanigans and eBays increasing their fees to the point where it was no longer worth the effort. 25 years ago, eBay was a great place to sell. Now, not so much.

As an alternative, I now get a flea market table every couple of months. less money, but a lot fewer hassles. Buyer sees what they are getting, cash is handed over. End of transaction. For firearms and accessories, I get a local gun show table three or four times a year. I do not miss the eBay aggravations.
Our idea of a rough TDY was if the hotel did not have a swimming pool.
Yesterday 12:26:40 PM EDT
[#34]
Send them a dick pic as recompense
Yesterday 12:46:10 PM EDT
[#35]
I would never sell only buy on eBay after getting fucked by them. Sold something, videoed it going in to the box, videoed it being dropped off. Got an email from the guy saying he got it and it was great. 2 days later an email saying he wanted a partial refund, I refused. He filed a claim saying it was not in the box, eBay refunded, I fought it using the email from him sent thru eBay that it was received and great, they still sided with the buyer and refunded him.
"I am gonna laugh my ass off looking out the air vent of the box car watching some of you shot in the head in a ditch when you finally realize it's time to resist." stolen from RR_broccoli
Yesterday 1:47:09 PM EDT
[#36]
I have been selling on ebay since it came out and it is not the same as the old days.  I recently sold a Browning BAR magazine and the buyer said I sent the wrong item with photos of the supposed item I sent him.  I checked the tracking number and found it had not even been delivered yet so knew he was already trying to scam me.  Contacted ebay to let them sort it out but never heard a peep about it again.
Yesterday 1:47:45 PM EDT
[#37]
last rodeo as a seller on ebay was selling a "new in box, still factory sealed" computer part about 5 years ago. listed item "as-is, no returns"

shipped to some buyer at a sketchy back alley garage address in LA area. buyer had it a couple weeks and then requested refund with reason he no longer needed it. ebay wanted I refund, but I was able to point out the auction was "no returns/refunds".

listing "no returns/refunds" while accepting the anticipated loss to avoid anticipated shenanigans helped, but I still sweat bullets that ebay would refund him regardless. lucky he didn't try claim an "empty package".
Yesterday 2:46:39 PM EDT
[#38]
Wife and her mother have sold over 600 items on eBay over the past few years and only had issues twice, both for $20 to $40 items.

Considering the thousands they have made, their loss rate is pretty insignificant.  They are primarily selling household stuff, women's clothing, purses, shoes and vintage toys.  Supposedly scams are far more common with electronics.
Yesterday 4:09:06 PM EDT
[#39]
If you're the guy I just bought some Power Man and Iron Fist comics from, we're good, just on shipping speed.

Condition looks great for the price.
"All planes close up tight . . .we'll have to ditch unless landfall . . .when the first plane drops below 10 gallons, we all go down together."
Yesterday 5:20:52 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote History
Originally Posted By tep0583:
If you're the guy I just bought some Power Man and Iron Fist comics from, we're good, just on shipping speed.

Condition looks great for the price.
View Quote


Haha, nope wasn't me.



UPDATE: The buyer got back to me after my msg and he doesn't want to send the whole lot back. Thanks for all the help on this.
Yesterday 10:06:39 PM EDT
[#41]
Sounds like the others got it right. Fishing for a discount after the sale. Sucks.
Yesterday 10:21:02 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote History
Originally Posted By M15A2CLE:
Sounds like the others got it right. Fishing for a discount after the sale. Sucks.
View Quote


Makes you hate people. Just another thief trying to get something for nothing.
Yesterday 11:18:11 PM EDT
[#43]
I have never asked for a partial refund on anything I have bought from eBay. One time I purchased a uranium glass ashtray and it came completely broken by the USPS. The seller refunded me my money and that was it. Other than that, no issues.
Today 12:07:14 AM EDT
[Last Edit: bockpec][Edited] [#44]
Ebay will fuck you.  If buyer claims dissatisfaction, ebay will give them a full refund and raid your account for the money, and the shitbird doesn't even have to return the stuff.   BTDT.   I'd never use that shit platform again.

Tell buyer he can either keep what he bought or return it all (at his expense) for a full refund (minus shipping).
Today 12:10:23 AM EDT
[#45]
Quote History
Originally Posted By battleshipgrey:


Haha, nope wasn't me.



UPDATE: The buyer got back to me after my msg and he doesn't want to send the whole lot back. Thanks for all the help on this.
View Quote


I'm sure he doesn't.   Was probably just fishing for a discount.    Only dissatisfaction policy has to be send it all back or pound sand
Today 12:36:55 AM EDT
[#46]
I recently started selling on there after taking a 15 year break. I avoid electronics. I've taken two returns without question for items that were $400 and $2000. Both went off without shenanigans and I resold the items in short order.

FB marketplace is fine for stuff I can't ship but otherwise seems to be a virtual pawn shop.
Get both is the answer.
Today 10:16:22 AM EDT
[Last Edit: www-glock19-com][Edited] [#47]
Quote History
Originally Posted By 545days:
Wife and her mother have sold over 600 items on eBay over the past few years and only had issues twice, both for $20 to $40 items.

Considering the thousands they have made, their loss rate is pretty insignificant.  They are primarily selling household stuff, women's clothing, purses, shoes and vintage toys.  Supposedly scams are far more common with electronics.
View Quote
I do it as a side hustle .
Sell a few thousand items a year
My return rate is about 01%

Stay out of cell phones, designer purses , collectable cards , collectable shoes ,  sports team clothing and your issues are pretty much non existent
Originally Posted By BigeasySnow:
It’s the internet. It’s for bitching.
Today 11:11:07 AM EDT
[#48]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Metonymy:
Of course they can, it's eBay.  Expect to get screwed over.
View Quote

THIS^^^

wait for it
Today 11:22:36 AM EDT
[#49]
People don't feel that subjectivity is subjective

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