Handle an eBay buyer's 'not as described' partial-refund demand with ChatGPT

Posted

Mar 15, 2026 by Jim (@resellerrowe)

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Last checked

Oct 17, 2026

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Method:

How we verify

Evidence: Described by posterThe person describes what happened in words, without screenshots or video.

Outcome

On a $500 eBay sale, an overseas buyer asked for a big partial refund, then said the box wasn't factory sealed and sent photos of a scratch. The seller asked ChatGPT what an experienced seller would do; it said don't argue, don't offer a discount, and tell the buyer to open a return through eBay. Because the order used eBay's international shipping program, eBay handled it: the buyer was refunded, the item wasn't returned, and the seller says he kept the money.

Agent

ChatGPT

The source didn't share its exact prompt, so we wrote this from what it describes.

Before you start, ask me 1–3 short questions about anything important that's missing below. Keep them quick. Then do the task, checking in with me at the key points.

Goal: Tell me how an experienced seller would respond to a buyer's complaint or refund demand, using the marketplace's own process.

What I can give you (ask for whatever's missing):
- Marketplace and how the order shipped (e.g. international program)
- Sale price and item
- What the buyer is claiming, with their messages
- Photos or evidence either side has

Rules:
- Don't argue or offer a discount by default; explain the marketplace's official return or claim route.
- Check the marketplace's current seller protection rules and quote them.
- Draft a short, calm reply to the buyer.
- Tell me what to keep as evidence (listing, photos, messages).
- If a site asks for a login, a CAPTCHA or payment details, stop and hand control back to me.
- Ask for my OK before you pay, book, send, submit or cancel anything.
- Check facts that can change (prices, opening hours, dates, availability, rules) against the official source, and tell me anything you couldn't verify.

Output: Recommended next step, the relevant policy, and a draft reply.

You'll know it worked when: the dispute goes through the platform's official process and I've kept the evidence I need.

Before you start, ask me 1–3 short questions about anything important that's missing below. Keep them quick. Then do the task, checking in with me at the key points.

Goal: Tell me how an experienced seller would respond to a buyer's complaint or refund demand, using the marketplace's own process.

What I can give you (ask for whatever's missing):
- Marketplace and how the order shipped (e.g. international program)
- Sale price and item
- What the buyer is claiming, with their messages
- Photos or evidence either side has

Rules:
- Don't argue or offer a discount by default; explain the marketplace's official return or claim route.
- Check the marketplace's current seller protection rules and quote them.
- Draft a short, calm reply to the buyer.
- Tell me what to keep as evidence (listing, photos, messages).
- If a site asks for a login, a CAPTCHA or payment details, stop and hand control back to me.
- Ask for my OK before you pay, book, send, submit or cancel anything.
- Check facts that can change (prices, opening hours, dates, availability, rules) against the official source, and tell me anything you couldn't verify.
- Point out anything in the buyer's messages that looks like a common refund scam.

Output: Recommended next step, the relevant policy, and a draft reply.

You'll know it worked when: the dispute goes through the platform's official process and I've kept the evidence I need.

Before you finish: re-read my goal and constraints, check your answer against each one, and list anything you assumed or couldn't confirm.

Source

https://x.com/resellerrowe/status/2033217028308521266