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Negative Review for Unaccepted Return
My postings say that I don't accept returns. A lady wants to return a nice pair of shoes because "they're not comfortable when she walks her dog in them. If I refuse the return, can she leave negative feedback for spite?
2 comments
mam98031
Mentor2 years agoIt is very important to understand what each option for a return policy actually means. Your policy does not mean what you think it does.
The return policies options are as follows.
With option number 1, No Returns the seller can completely deny taking a return for a Buyer's Remorse Return Request. Or if they want to, they can accept the return and have the buyer pay the return shipping. If the seller so chooses, they can withhold the original shipping if it was separately stated on the listing [not free shipping] when it is time to refund the buyer.
On options 2 & 3 the buyer is responsible for the return shipping on a Buyer's Remorse Return. Plus, if the seller so chooses, they can withhold the original shipping if it was separately stated on the listing [not free shipping] when it is time to refund the buyer. As of October 1st 2019, sellers that are TRS have some additional protections as well as they can issue partial refunds if they use options 4 or 5 as their return policy.
On options 4 & 5 above, they are also known as Free Returns. If a seller that has either of those policies, they will pay the return shipping even on a buyer's remorse return. A seller can withhold the original shipping value from the refund if the shipping was separately stated in the listing [not free shipping]. Also, Seller’s offering options 4 or 5 have the ability to do partial refunds in certain cases if the item arrives back damaged, missing something or in a condition less than what it was sent to the buyer in, see the policy for more details, the link is below. In the cases where a deduction in the refund is taken due to damage or other authorized reasons for a partial refund, Ebay will protect the seller from negative or neutral feedback.
ALL OPTIONS [1, 2, 3, 4 and 5] are required to process SNAD claims without exception. Even if they are improperly filed and should have been a Buyer’s Remorse claim.
All return policies by sellers must meet or exceed what is stated in the Money Back Guarantee Policy!
14 day return policies are allowed in certain categories: Jewelry & Watches, Collectibles & Art, Cameras & Photo and Medical, Mobility & Disability Equipment.
For those with Free Return and/or TRS members with 30 day return policies, there are some added protection benefits, one of which is the ability to do a discounted refund under certain conditions.
mr_lincoln
Mentor2 years agoHi @giles24136
Absolutely, stop using the No returns accepted setting. A knowledgeable Buyer knows there are several reasons for returns that eBay forces YOU as the Seller to pay the return shipping and refund when you get the item back. I can't tell you how many times we go through this with Sellers who say, "But I don't accept returns, WHY is this happening???"
You question points to one of the big drawbacks of the No returns accepted setting, some Buyers think they have NO recourse other than leaving Negative Feedback and I don't blame them.
eBay's MGB does not mean no refunds and if you decline the return the Buyer get eBay involved and Refund the Buyer from YOUR account and then let them keep the item. It is a lose-lose for Sellers to be sure.
I started offering 30 day free returns and get the full benefit of Seller protections when needed: Seller protections | eBay
I have a low return rate and have only had to use the full benefit of the protections a couple of times but it was nice to know they were there.
No returns accepted has its place, like on the two Grades eBay has on their Grading system:
-Junk value - parts only
-Restoration required