EBAY HELP NEEDED on refunds
i sold a video recorder and the buyer claims that it is broken
i fully tested it and even used my last tape to make a quick video
the buyer paid 35.00+13.00 to ship
when i get it back do i refund him $48.00 or just the $35.00?
thanks

HAPPINESS IS REAL ONLY WHEN SHARED

If he paid via Paypal, you owe him the full amount. You can try to negotiate less if 1. he doesn't know his entitlement under Paypal Buyer Protection, or 2. he didn't pay with Paypal.

Also, be careful of people looking to send back different merch than you sent. Did you record the serial number before you shipped it? Also, did you purchase insurance?

i paid for insurance

You will be covered for the sale value of the item, then, so long as it's "reasonable." You won't get the shipping-paid back though, so you may be out that money. There's one (very lonely) good reason to mark your eBay listings' shipping as "free" or "calculated" with exact amount.

Anyways, when you get it back, test it. If it works, just sell it again and call the buyer a doofus. If it doesn't turn it over to the USPS and get your sale price back. Just bring proof of sale and file a claim.

In the meantime, though, you'll have to refund the buyer, so for a period of time you'll be out your device, and all the money, until you get reimbursed by the post office.

You might want to look into U-Pic for insurance purposes in the future as they actually pay out on the shipping price paid. They're offered through Auctiva (third-party eBay listing site). They're quick, no jumping through hoops like with the USPS, and they're cheaper. I've had a couple claims in the past two years with no problems at all.

thanks for the help