Paypal Won't Cover Return Shipping?

[cowboy13]

I've always bought insurance and use Paypal when buying on eBay. I've had increasing experiences with eBay where items arrive damaged, not as described or defective, and where sellers will not respond to emails or phone calls. When this happens, I contact Paypal.

In two incidents over the past six months, Paypal told me to return the items to the sellers for a refund from Paypal for the value of the item, but said that I had to pay the return shipping! Why should anyone have to pay return shipping on items that arrived damaged or defective, with no chance of having the shipping reimbursed? This is ludicrous. Most businesses WILL take care of return shipping and even arrange for pickup of damaged/defective items to be returned. Why should eBay sellers be exempt from this?

I could win an item item at auction for $10, pay $15 shipping, discover that it's blue instead of red, and then have to pay $15 return shipping to get just my $10 back. This is wrong. Paypal insurance should cover ALL COSTS if a seller sends a wrong item or defective item and refuses to honor their obligation as a seller in a timely manner. But no. The seller gets his money, Paypal minimizes their losses, and the buyer gets screwed. Again.