Reversing a refund

[QuiltsAndThingsLinda]

A shipment was lost for more than a month. I agreed to send a refund.

I issued a full refund, and within hours I received a message from the buyer that the shipment had arrived in good condition and said that she hoped I had not issued the refund yet.

Is there a procedure for reversing the refund? There were multiple transactions with the refund: buyer's credit card, my credit card, payment account.

If there is no procedure I will work out another arrangement with the buyer.

[datedpaper · Accepted solution]

You could make up a listing for the amount that the customer was refunded. Then they would be able to pay again. Just hope they pay for it now!

[CatherinesAtticFinds]

I thought of this as a solution as well, but if you put up a new listing, how do you cover "shipping"...with the original tracking number?

[RamenSandwich · Accepted solution]

You're correct, there is no mechanism for yanking back a refund. The only method is what @datedpaper describes above.

Fortunately, it seems like you have an honest buyer who will cooperate. Not every buyer would let you know that they received the item after all.

[bradgoodell · Accepted solution]

You can't reverse a refund.  The buyer will need to purchase again.

[StoneReflectionsSink]

If buyer refuses, can you escalate or report them to Etsy? 

[vintageNCtreasures]

@StoneReflectionsSink 
No, you can't report them to Etsy.
There's nothing to report.

If you refunded too soon and the package showed up delivered after you refunded, then there's not much you can do except hope the buyer is honest and will repay for the item.

[DesignFioreDiLoto]

no one is taking into consideration the exchange rate. Let's say the customer was angry for the long delay. Then was honest enough to offer to pay as it finally arrived. I think it's a bit off if I create a listing and this times it happens to cost even more than last time. There should be a reversible way. The customer seemed a bit put out that she has to do anything at all and thought I could reverse full stop!

I don't consider it refunding too early. After a certain length of time I have to refund. It may still arrive but I can't hold them off forever. It isn't fair to them

[CraftyCornishMaids]

@DesignFioreDiLoto 

there isn't a way with payment processors or card issuers,

you can't just take money from paypal or cards,

it has to go through the correct payment processing checks, and authorisations, it's international law.

Some times the exchange rate works in the customers favour, and sometimes it doesn't, but you could list it for a bit less, if you want to, as they are offering to repay

why not list as just the item price, and claim the postage back from Royal mail, as late delivery

[OmasFabricStash]

This thread is 6 months old so I’m sure they have figured it out, but good advice. 

[LynnsLittleShop]

@QuiltsAndThingsLinda make it a digital listing so there's no shipping cost.

[ModFabio · Accepted solution]

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