Orders cancelled almost immediately

[JandTPreloved]

Hi, has anyone else had orders recently that have been cancelled and asked for a refund? I’ve only had two, but wondered if it was a bit strange, like possible money laundering or something. Sorry, bit dramatic I know, but so many scammers out there. Thanks 

[NanaLetha]

Buyers can’t cancel. Only sellers can 

[JandTPreloved]

They both asked if they could cancel and have a refund within about five minutes of making the order 

[EccentricHandbags]

How would they launder money this way?

[JandTPreloved]

By paying and then receiving a refund I would have thought. The money would come out of their account and then they would be paid from a different account.

[FallenAngelBrass]

This usually happens when a buyer has accidentally checked out from all of the shops in their basket.   They don't realize that the basket will send all items, no matter the shop, through at once unless they tell the basket not to.  I see a fair amount of cancellations since I'm a supply shop and buyers have lots of supply items in their baskets - sometimes not realizing the details when they check out.  The buyer sees the mistake after the transaction is complete and so the seller sees an immediate request to cancel. The seller doesn't lose anything by honoring the cancelation request since nothing was sent to begin with.  Totally legit, in my experience. 

[CuriosityCabinet]

This is mostly likely what occurred. I've had a few people over the years ask to cancel immediately after purchase. I've always just said, of course, no problem, refunded and canceled.

[vintageNCtreasures]

@JandTPreloved 
A buyer can't refund their own order, nor cancel it. It's impossible.

A buyer can only ask a seller to cancel and then the seller has to cancel it and also process the refund.

The only other way an order can be cancelled or refunded is if a payment clears THEN Etsy's payment processor finds a problem with that payment and Etsy cancels/refunds.