After selling about 17 items lately, a surprising number of auction buyers, at pretty low prices, wanted "credit" because they were not satisfied with the item. Now, those who've dealt with me before know I do not underestimate mileage, if I ever state it, and I do not over-state condition. These were all on parts under $20, and they had good photos.

a-nearly new DA7800 chain rings. Buyer asked about mileage, and it's truly under 200. I stated 200-300, and got an immediate response upon delivery, asking for a credit because "no way they only have 200-300 miles." I'm not sure how buyer determined this, but I refused credit and offered full refund, plus shipping, upon return. I'm somewhat convinced I'll not get the same rings back, but have notified eBay of this. It appears something is being shipped back. ($40 purchase price on almost new DA7800 rings. As light as they are, and these were really nice, I can't wait to see what he/she sends back). I should have just sent them to calamarichris.....

b-used stems, clearly stated size and price, good photos. There were all under $15. One buyer asked "where is my item?" when it shows delivered. Another asked for a $5 credit (which I gave, because his correspondence is either very well-written or he's truly a good guy).

c-a set of bars, claiming I mis-measured, and he missed a sale on some other ones. Perhaps I mis-measured, but I don't think so. I immediately offered full refund, plus shipping, upon return. No response at all.

d-a bottom bracket, new-fangled, for which I clearly said I had no clue what it fit. Buyer comes back "it doesn't fit." Right, it doesn't. I simply pointed out the ad.

Some of you deal a lot on eBay, especially on used parts. Are these kinds of responses now the going thing? For me, this was a parts clear-out, and nothing of any kind of real value, nothing over $40, and almost all with free shipping. Are there ways to protect yourself from such tactics? It seems to me they are all tactics designed to get money back on auction-won items.

I know eBay is buyer-oriented, often at the expense of the seller. Is immediately offering full refund, plus shipping, the way to go? It seems to shut down 90% of the problems.

There seems to be a lot of leeway in "buyer says not as described," which seems to allow the buyer to determine mileage, etc, despite good photos. Does this mean you either under-describe the item, or present it as "used" and call it a day?

What does "no returns" mean? Nothing?