I received a very low offer from a buyer for a piece of Regency/Victorian jewellery which was correctly listed as having very worn hallmarks (but item was tested for being at least 9ct gold), I sent a much higher counter offer (virtually the scrap value) which they immediately accepted; all fine so far. Item was sent out the same day Special Delivery (not cheap), but not collected by the buyer for 2 days. Immediately after receiving it (I know this from checking the recorded time of delivery to the time the dispute was opened) they requested a return on the basis that the item was not gold. I messaged them explaining that we do test such items, but would accept the return at which point a refund would be made for the item, and on again retesting it if it proved not to be gold then the return postage would also be refunded. Buyer was asked to return signed for and message with tracking details. They responded immediately to say that they would. I did ask them why they believed that it was not gold, but they did not respond to that; my impression that it was a case of buyer's regret. Despite a message sent to the buyer a few days later just confirming what we'd agreed more than a week passed and nothing from the buyer, so another message was sent asking them if they had decided after all to keep it, but no response. 10 days following the opening of the return request I decided to contact Ebay via on-line chat. This was less than useful as the only advice that was given was to telephone the buyer and discuss my questions with them. That is one thing I would not do as unlike communicating via the Resolution centre there is no record of the exchange. In the interim the funds are frozen, not a problem, but what is Paypal's likely action if the buyer continues to fail to communicate or return the item?
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