Read our most popular questions and answers about handling return requests from your buyers. You can also find more information in our full article below.
- Need help with return postage? See our page on return postage for sellers
- Would you like us to help with an open return request? See our page on asking eBay to step in and help for sellers
- Are you a buyer looking to return an item? Read our article on returning an item
When you create a listing, you'll add a return policy, which will determine your options if the buyer wants to return an item for "change of mind" (or "remorse") reasons. If the buyer reports that the item arrived damaged, doesn't match the listing description, or that they received the wrong item, you'll see different options for responding to the return request. If the purchase is covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee policy, you'll have to accept the return, even if you have a no-returns policy.
When a buyer opens a return request, we'll notify you by email (to your registered email address) and through eBay Messages - opens in new window or tab. You have 3 business days to respond to the request and resolve the buyer's issue. We've outlined your response options below. In some cases, we may automatically accept a return request on your behalf.
If you're unable to sort things out within 3 business days, the buyer may ask us to step in and help find a solution. In some cases, if you haven't responded to the return request, we may refund the buyer and seek reimbursement from you without requiring the buyer to return the item.
Tip
When listing an item, it's important to specify your returns address. If you don't, and the buyer requests a return, the item will be returned to your registration address by default.
How to start resolving a return request
Choose the item above to start resolving a return. You can also open your Returns dashboard - opens in new window or tab and select View return details from beside the item.
You'll be able to see the buyer's reason for requesting the return, the date you need to respond by, and any additional comments or photos provided by the buyer.
Your options for responding to a return request
Your options for responding to a buyer's request depend on the reason they're returning the item, and the return policy you stated in your listing.
Tip
In some cases, your response options may differ. For example, you may have opted to automatically accept return requests.
How to accept a return
To accept a return:
- Go to your Returns dashboard - opens in new window or tab.
- Select View return details beside the item.
- Select Accept the return and then Continue.
- If you're responsible for return postage, choose how you'll arrange for the item to be returned.
If the buyer is responsible, choose your return address from the drop-down menu. - Enter a Return Merchandise Authorisation number, if you use them.
- Select Confirm.
We'll then ask the buyer to post the return.
How long does a buyer have to send the item back?
Once the return is accepted, we'll provide the buyer with a date by which they should post the item back. If we don't see any indications that the item is on its way back to you, we may close the return to protect you from negative Feedback. Returns cannot be closed at the request of a seller.
- If you provided a return label: If you gave the buyer a pre-paid postage label and entered the tracking number, we may close the return if we don't see tracking scans or signals from the buyer showing the item was posted within 15 business days of when the label was provided.
- If you didn't provide a return label: If the buyer is responsible for return postage, we may close the return if we don't see tracking scans or signals showing the item was posted within 15 business days of the return being accepted. If you are responsible for arranging return postage and you don't provide a label, we may wait up to 35 business days from the date the return was accepted before closing the return.
How to issue a full refund
To issue a full refund:
- Go to your Returns dashboard - opens in new window or tab.
- Select View return details beside the item.
- Select Give a full refund and then Continue.
- On the next page you'll see the refund amount. Select Refund the buyer.
How to offer a partial refund
To offer a partial refund:
- Go to your Returns dashboard - opens in new window or tab.
- Select View return details beside the item.
- Select Offer a partial refund and then Continue.
- Enter the amount you wish to offer the buyer.
- You can choose to add a message to the buyer.
- Select Send offer.
You can only offer a partial refund once, and the buyer can choose to accept or reject your offer.
How to decline a return
You can only decline a return if the buyer is returning the item because they changed their mind, and your return policy stated you don't accept returns. Here's how:
- Go to your Returns dashboard - opens in new window or tab.
- Select View return details beside the item.
- Select Decline the return and then Continue.
- You have the option of entering your reason for declining the request, but it won't be visible to the buyer.
- Select Decline return.
The return request will then be closed.
How to send the buyer a message
To send the buyer a message:
- Go to your Returns dashboard - opens in new window or tab.
- Select View return details beside the item.
- Select Send the buyer a message and then Continue.
- On the next page, enter your message and select Send.
How to offer a replacement or exchange
To offer a replacement or alternate item:
- Go to your Returns dashboard - opens in new window or tab.
- Select View return details beside the item.
- Select Send the buyer a message and then Continue.
- On the next page, enter your offer to replace or exchange the item and select Send.
How to issue a partial refund when the item is returned in a different condition
To issue a partial refund:
- Go to your Returns dashboard - opens in new window or tab.
- Select View return details beside the item.
- Select Decide what to refund.
- Select the percentage you want to deduct from the refund amount.
- Add a message to the buyer explaining why the refund wasn't full.
- Select Send offer.
If eBay steps in to help, we may ask the buyer to return the item to you. You will no longer be able to issue a refund to the buyer even if you qualify to give partial refunds under our seller protections.
How to specify a returns address
- From My eBay, select the Account tab.
- Select Addresses.
- Select Add beside Return address.
- Enter your return address and then Save.
Payment holds
When a buyer opens a return request, the funds related to the sale may be put on hold. Once the return has been resolved, the hold is lifted and you'll receive your funds in your next scheduled payout.
Refunding the buyer
When you agree to give the buyer their money back, or once you receive the returned item, you'll need to issue their refund within 3 business days. To do this, simply go to the case in your Returns dashboard - opens in new window or tab and choose Refund buyer. If you don't refund the buyer within 3 business days of receiving the item, we may automatically issue a refund to them on your behalf.
When you issue a refund to the buyer:
- They'll be refunded through their original payment method. In most cases, the refund takes 3 to 5 business days to process. However, depending on the payment method the buyer used, it can take up to 30 days. (Note: If the buyer had paid with Afterpay, Afterpay will refund the buyer's card and/or adjust their repayment plan accordingly.)
- We'll automatically relist your item for you. If you don't want your item to be relisted, simply clear the Relist item or Relist item after cancellation box when issuing the refund.
- We may credit your final value fee, provided you have issued a full refund to your buyer without us stepping in. Learn more about fee credits.
Tip
Carefully check the returned item before issuing a refund. Eligible sellers may be able to deduct an amount from the refund if an item is returned used or damaged (see Partial refund guidelines below).
Partial refund guidelines where the item is returned used or damaged
In most cases, you'll issue a full refund to the buyer, but in certain situations it may be appropriate to give a partial refund. If you're meeting eBay's seller performance standards, you'll have the option to issue a partial refund where the item is returned used, altered or damaged. Learn more about our seller protections.
See the table below for guidance on issuing a partial refund.
How to issue a partial refund after the item is returned
Misuse of this feature
Seller protections are intended to give you confidence when selling on eBay. The partial refund feature may not be used to recoup market losses on items returned in the same condition or recoup return postage and restocking fees.
A partial refund may only be used to recoup losses when an item is returned used or damaged. Sellers who misuse seller protections may be subject to a range of actions, such as losing access to this feature, or suspension from buying, selling or using other site features.
Get help from eBay
We know that you want to provide buyers with a great experience, but sometimes you're not able to reach an agreement. If you and the buyer haven't been able to resolve the issue within 3 business days, we're always ready to step in and help.
If eBay steps in to help with a return at any stage, you will no longer be able to issue a refund even if you qualify to give partial refunds under our seller protections.
If an item is returned with significant damage or the wrong item is returned, we may be able to help.