Buyer says item not received, then opens a return request

[frontierframe]

A buyer bought two items from me for $250 on October 1. Two weeks later, he opens a 'item not received case' even though there was tracking provided for both packages.

eBay decides to hold the case for another two weeks, and rules in my favor on November 11, as the tracking clearly states that it was delivered. Now a week after I finally get my money, November 16, the buyer decides that the items don't work and he wants to return them both.

After 6 weeks of my money being held due to his 'case', I now have to pay again for an international shipping return label. It's also a coincidence that both items are broken as well...

Is there a way to make the buyer pay for the return shipping costs?

[oompaloompa]

for not as described/broken - no, you pay return costs...
really sucks.
was the dispute of not received submitted after the date when tracking shows delivered - that would show the customer lied about it.
however buyers are allowed to switch from INR to Snad....

[jayne dunn]

I met these type of cases many times...

[dallis]

Nothing you can do, pay for return shipping or lose your items and your money both.

[slokor]

Actually from what youre saying it sounds like the guy was out to scam you from the very start meaning that even if you pay for the return shipping at this point there is no guarantee that youll even get your items back. When you receive and open the return package from this buyer no one guarantees he will send you the actual goods you sent him and all ebay will know if that the tracking info shows that the item was delivered back to you and the buyer will get his money back AND keep the items...
Not saying this will happen but its a possibility to consider given the history of this case so far.

[quizmaniac]

sounds like a definite scam artist to me, They say the item wasn't delivered to get his money back and keep the items , that doesn't work so suddenly the items were delivered after all but now both are broken!!
Really annoying as its so obvious its a scam but not sure what else you can do except write it off or pay for the shipping and hope they actually send the correct items back.

[Dufus]

What if he sends the items poorly packaged and they get damaged?

[rsot]

Originally Posted by Dufus

What if he sends the items poorly packaged and they get damaged?

Then he would need to have them insured or buyer will open up a case...

[muzzie]

There are certain group of users, who buy new item, use it, break it, and then return. So like a rental for free, thanks to the eBay that does not care.