Why Would an eBay Seller Want to Process a Partial Refund Through PayPal?

[TiredLawyer]

I recently agreed on a partial refund with an eBay seller for a transaction. The seller has asked for my PayPal email to send the refund directly, rather than processing it through eBay.

I’m curious why a seller might prefer this method, or if I’m at risk of getting scammed if I provide my PayPal email. This is a rather large seller of solar power station equipment based out of China. Could it be to avoid eBay fees or complications? Are there any risks or disadvantages to accepting the refund this way instead of insisting on processing it through eBay?

[Auream]

I’m not sure if eBay allows partial refunds. That would be a simple explanation.

[LaurenRose]

It may be due to varying fees.

Stick with eBay for this, they offer buyer protection and are good about that.

Partial refunds are common (example: sometimes the buyer pays the return shipping, so it's deducted).

None of this should be a big deal. Of course, I don't know the value of your purchase.

[TiredLawyer]

I’m not sure if eBay allows partial refunds. That would be a simple explanation.

I thought of that as well but EBay does mention partial refunds here: https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/manag ... rs?id=5182

[TiredLawyer]

It may be due to varying fees.

Stick with eBay for this, they offer buyer protection and are good about that.

Partial refunds are common (example: sometimes the buyer pays the return shipping, so it's deducted).

None of this should be a big deal. Of course, I don't know the value of your purchase.

Thank you. The partial refund is about $100. I’ve messaged the seller back and asked them to do it through EBay instead.

[runner3081]

I’m not sure if eBay allows partial refunds. That would be a simple explanation.

They do, but ONLY if the buyer has not opened a return or claim. If there is an open return or claim, you can not partial refund.

Makes no sense that seller would want to use PayPal. By using eBay, they actually get a partial return on selling fees.

I am a long-term, pretty high volume seller and outside of an open claim, this one stumps me.

[bd7]

The most common reasons for doing this are to maintain the sellers reputation with eBay by avoiding a 'defect' (this is what a reputable seller might do) or to rip you off by sending the payment via PayPal and then claiming a refund later (this is what crooks do).

[TiredLawyer]

I’m not sure if eBay allows partial refunds. That would be a simple explanation.

They do, but ONLY if the buyer has not opened a return or claim. If there is an open return or claim, you can not partial refund.

Makes no sense that seller would want to use PayPal. By using eBay, they actually get a partial return on selling fees.

I am a long-term, pretty high volume seller and outside of an open claim, this one stumps me.

Maybe that’s the issue then. I opened up a return and that’s when they offered me a partial refund to not return it.

[nalor511]

They do, but ONLY if the buyer has not opened a return or claim. If there is an open return or claim, you can not partial refund.

Makes no sense that seller would want to use PayPal. By using eBay, they actually get a partial return on selling fees.

I am a long-term, pretty high volume seller and outside of an open claim, this one stumps me.

Maybe that’s the issue then. I opened up a return and that’s when they offered me a partial refund to not return it.

They get dinged in their stats for a return vs paying you outside eBay to keep it

[marshall]

I noticed a couple responses about the seller being dinged or receiving a defect. A seller providing a partial refund on eBay is not considered a defect. Sellers do it all the time to take care of customers and resolve issues. Listed below (per eBay) are the two reasons a seller can receive a defect.


We count a transaction defect when either of these things happen:

The seller cancels the order unexpectedly (e.g. because it was out of stock, or because they sold it to someone else)
The buyer reports an issue, but the seller doesn't resolve it (a case closed without seller resolution, as defined in the section above)

A case closed without seller resolution means that the seller didn't resolve the buyer's issue, eBay stepped in to review the case, and the seller was found responsible.

[runner3081]

Maybe that’s the issue then. I opened up a return and that’s when they offered me a partial refund to not return it.

Not maybe, that is the reason.

[popoki]

I've been selling on eBay for 25+ years and a lot of the responses here are incorrect speculation. I have issued and received partial refunds for various reasons. Using PayPal for such would not be a concern. Nearly all payments on eBay used to be thru PayPal, for over 15 years until this relationship ended in 2021.

[runner3081]

I've been selling on eBay for 25+ years and a lot of the responses here are incorrect speculation. I have issued and received partial refunds for various reasons. Using PayPal for such would not be a concern. Nearly all payments on eBay used to be thru PayPal, for over 15 years until this relationship ended in 2021.

Yep, I do partials often as a compromise, me being the seller, but that option is gone once they open a a return. Used to be an option to offer a partial during a return, but not now.