Refunding shipping

Hi Campbell

Yes you should.

In these situations it's always good to imagine if it were the other way around. If you were the buyer and the item you purchased had an issue, wouldn't you want to be fully refunded all costs involved? I'm guessing this was just a private sale but indeed if you are an "in-trade" seller you are even obligated legally to do so.

Ingnor prior comment on commercial situations the buyer has to pay for returning the item As a private seller you sold the item believing it to be in working order in fact it is but not to the requirement of the buyer if it works no refund

Best practice is for the buyer to return the item for inspection at their cost, then base the refund on the results of the test.
If the grinder tests ok under load, then refund the original deposit,
If the grinder test fails as explained, then refund the original deposit & the reasonable cost of returning the time to you.
If the buyer refuses to return the item, then it really is up to you as to what you do.
Personally, if it's a low value item & the cost of getting it back is comparatively expensive, then just refund the original deposit & leave the item with the buyer

Not that simple to discover AND confirm a possible fault without return and inspection.

Also, any return policy by any business including Trademe can only be enforced by law IF that policy follows the GOVT applicable retail regulations.
TM's return policy includes the wording "We expect" (which is a request/ suggestion, and not a legal requirement)

I have had "faulty" items returned and sometimes it is obvious (take your pick of ....) neglect/abuse/ ignorance on how to use the item and it becomes obvious after retesting/ inspection that the item is faulty (or not).
In cases of confirmed faulty items, it's normal to the refund the entire deposit including a reasonable return shipping fee
In cases of "user error" (with no damage) or change of mind (with no damage) , it's only reasonable to the refund the original deposit excluding return shipping (Also pretty sure that last bit is in the legal regulations)