Anyone else outraged by the new "free" return policy for parts?

If I send out a "new" part- and someone puts it on their boat- decides it's not the problem and then returns it- it's NOW NOT NEW ANYMORE! This is why Cabelas stopped selling marina parts- Too many people buy and try parts as they try and figure out what's wrong. The SELLER is screwed with this policy. For one- "Ebay paying half the return label" still only comes to what I normally pay through the post office- No deal there. Doubling my workload. And losing money while I get back USED parts!!! I can have a great month of July and have to refund it all in August - **bleep**. Guess I'll be moving off Ebay soon.

cclynny7ygv

1354 View listings

Posted 1 year ago·Last reply 11 months ago

12 comments

mrphilf

·11 months ago

1576 View listings

I will now be spending several wasted hours relisting all my NEW parts as USEDâ€¦until ebay decides to try to force me to accept returns on them tooâ€¦

loose_goose_garage

·1 year ago

4003 View listings

The lack of knowledge, correct information given, and correct answers from "those in the know" on this subject are ridiculous. And that is disregarding the whole policy in itself.

mudshark61369

·1 year ago

"There is no such thing as foolproof, because fools are so darned ingenious" (unknown)3105 View listings

@cclynny7ygv ,

Your right about people "trying" parts to see if they fix a problem.

If the parts that are getting returned are mostly electronic ones why not stop selling them on ebay and concentrate on listing gaskets, seals, hoses, impellers, control cables, and other mechanical parts? Those are things one knows have gone bad and need replacement.

It might also help if besides giving a parts number you also say what years/models/displacement of engines the parts fit in your descriptions, for the people not smart enough to have or look up repair manuals online. If you look at some of the other sponsored listings that are on your listing's pages you see that info given in titles and in the descriptions.

klhmdg

·1 year ago

1515 View listings

I thought the Free Returns was only for new auto parts.

I think you should read the new policy. I took a look at the policy and it doesnt say Automotive just P&A but I did see this -

Weâ€™re on a mission to make eBay the top destination for buying and selling automotive parts & accessories (P&A). Based on buyer feedback, easy and free returns play a crucial role when choosing where to shop. To better meet this buyer need, weâ€™re updating our return policy to require free returns for eligible P&A listings. We believe this streamlined policy will attract more buyers and increase sales for P&A sellers.

valueaddedresource

·1 year ago

5 View listings

@klhmdg wrote:
I thought the Free Returns was only for new auto parts.

I think you should read the new policy. I took a look at the policy and it doesnt say Automotive just P&A but I did see this -

Weâ€™re on a mission to make eBay the top destination for buying and selling automotive parts & accessories (P&A). Based on buyer feedback, easy and free returns play a crucial role when choosing where to shop. To better meet this buyer need, weâ€™re updating our return policy to require free returns for eligible P&A listings. We believe this streamlined policy will attract more buyers and increase sales for P&A sellers.

@klhmdg I asked that same question and tagged @devon@ebay @elizabeth@ebay @kyle@ebay over a month ago but never got a definitive answer.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/June-Seller-Update-Forces-Free-Returns-for-Motors-Parts/m-p/35117759/highlight/true#M2573097

Technically, sub-categories for boat parts, golf cart parts, ATV parts, snow mobile parts, and even airplane parts are all tucked under Motors Parts and Accessories, so while the announcement about this change seems geared toward auto parts it's not exactly clear - it just says Parts & Accessories and then has a short list of excluded sub-categories (all of which are various auto parts).

Another poster in that thread said they called support and were told it applied to all of those sub-categories too, not just auto parts, but well we all know that things said by support should be taken with a grain of salt.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/June-Seller-Update-Forces-Free-Returns-for-Motors-Parts/m-p/35121885#M2574112

It would be nice if the blues would respond to confirm but if not, I suppose we'll find out one way or another very soon since it goes into effect today.

klhmdg

·1 year ago

1515 View listings

@valueaddedresource -

I have also asked today for clarification on this.

I looked at many of the OPs listings for New items - none of them have "returns"

I dont want to assume that all these would have been updated today but ...

valueaddedresource

·1 year ago

5 View listings

@klhmdg wrote:
@valueaddedresource -

I have also asked today for clarification on this.

I looked at many of the OPs listings for New items - none of them have "returns"
I dont want to assume that all these would have been updated today but ...

@klhmdg yeah my understanding is that eBay is not automatically changing anything, just telling sellers it is required now. Seems to me like they are trying the carrot and stick approach, hoping most sellers will just voluntarily fall in line.

The carrot is if you voluntarily switch over, eBay will pick up the tab for 50% of the return shipping cost. Followed by the threat of the stick "starting later this summer, listings that don't meet the new return policy requirements will be blocked."

Makes me wonder how many sellers might call eBay's bluff and wait for the stick to actually arrive before changing their listings.

devon@ebay

Admin1 year ago

Community Advisor0 View listings

@valueaddedresource wrote:

@klhmdg wrote:

I thought the Free Returns was only for new auto parts.

I think you should read the new policy. I took a look at the policy and it doesnt say Automotive just P&A but I did see this -

Weâ€™re on a mission to make eBay the top destination for buying and selling automotive parts & accessories (P&A). Based on buyer feedback, easy and free returns play a crucial role when choosing where to shop. To better meet this buyer need, weâ€™re updating our return policy to require free returns for eligible P&A listings. We believe this streamlined policy will attract more buyers and increase sales for P&A sellers.

@klhmdg I asked that same question and tagged @devon@ebay @elizabeth@ebay @kyle@ebay over a month ago but never got a definitive answer.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/June-Seller-Update-Forces-Free-Returns-for-Motors-Parts/m-p/35117759/highlight/true#M2573097

Technically, sub-categories for boat parts, golf cart parts, ATV parts, snow mobile parts, and even airplane parts are all tucked under Motors Parts and Accessories, so while the announcement about this change seems geared toward auto parts it's not exactly clear - it just says Parts & Accessories and then has a short list of excluded sub-categories (all of which are various auto parts).

Another poster in that thread said they called support and were told it applied to all of those sub-categories too, not just auto parts, but well we all know that things said by support should be taken with a grain of salt.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/June-Seller-Update-Forces-Free-Returns-for-Motors-Parts/m-p/35121885#M2574112

It would be nice if the blues would respond to confirm but if not, I suppose we'll find out one way or another very soon since it goes into effect today.

Hey @valueaddedresource!

valueaddedresource

·1 year ago

5 View listings

@devon@ebay wrote:
@valueaddedresource wrote:
@klhmdg wrote:
I thought the Free Returns was only for new auto parts.

I think you should read the new policy. I took a look at the policy and it doesnt say Automotive just P&A but I did see this -

Weâ€™re on a mission to make eBay the top destination for buying and selling parts & accessories (P&A). Based on buyer feedback, easy and free returns play a crucial role when choosing where to shop. To better meet this buyer need, weâ€™re updating our return policy to require free returns for eligible P&A listings. We believe this streamlined policy will attract more buyers and increase sales for P&A sellers.
@klhmdg I asked that same question and tagged @devon@ebay @elizabeth@ebay @kyle@ebay over a month ago but never got a definitive answer.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/June-Seller-Update-Forces-Free-Returns-for-Motors-Parts/m-p/35117759/highlight/true#M2573097

Technically, sub-categories for boat parts, golf cart parts, ATV parts, snow mobile parts, and even airplane parts are all tucked under Motors Parts and Accessories, so while the announcement about this change seems geared toward auto parts it's not exactly clear - it just says Parts & Accessories and then has a short list of excluded sub-categories (all of which are various auto parts).

Another poster in that thread said they called support and were told it applied to all of those sub-categories too, not just auto parts, but well we all know that things said by support should be taken with a grain of salt.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/June-Seller-Update-Forces-Free-Returns-for-Motors-Parts/m-p/35121885#M2574112

It would be nice if the blues would respond to confirm but if not, I suppose we'll find out one way or another very soon since it goes into effect today.
Hey @valueaddedresource! We did confirm with the Product team that categories that are a part of the new P&A returns policy are Car and Truck only, minus the exclusions that can be found on the Seller Center page under the first FAQ.

Thanks @devon@ebay that's great to hear!

Please pass on the suggestion to that Product team to update the actual help and policy pages ASAP to make that more clear and maybe even consider sending out an email announcement about it.

There are posts across various threads here in the community from boat parts sellers who say they were told when calling into support that it would apply to them and I personally know at least one seller who exclusively sells boat parts who has this banner still showing in their Seller Hub overview page telling them they need to update their listings.

devon@ebay

Admin1 year ago

Community Advisor0 View listings

@valueaddedresource wrote:

@devon@ebay wrote:

@valueaddedresource wrote:

@klhmdg wrote:

I thought the Free Returns was only for new auto parts.

I think you should read the new policy. I took a look at the policy and it doesnt say Automotive just P&A but I did see this -

Weâ€™re on a mission to make eBay the top destination for buying and selling parts & accessories (P&A). Based on buyer feedback, easy and free returns play a crucial role when choosing where to shop. To better meet this buyer need, weâ€™re updating our return policy to require free returns for eligible P&A listings. We believe this streamlined policy will attract more buyers and increase sales for P&A sellers.

@klhmdg I asked that same question and tagged @devon@ebay @elizabeth@ebay @kyle@ebay over a month ago but never got a definitive answer.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/June-Seller-Update-Forces-Free-Returns-for-Motors-Parts/m-p/35117759/highlight/true#M2573097

Technically, sub-categories for boat parts, golf cart parts, ATV parts, snow mobile parts, and even airplane parts are all tucked under Motors Parts and Accessories, so while the announcement about this change seems geared toward auto parts it's not exactly clear - it just says Parts & Accessories and then has a short list of excluded sub-categories (all of which are various auto parts).

Another poster in that thread said they called support and were told it applied to all of those sub-categories too, not just auto parts, but well we all know that things said by support should be taken with a grain of salt.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/June-Seller-Update-Forces-Free-Returns-for-Motors-Parts/m-p/35121885#M2574112

It would be nice if the blues would respond to confirm but if not, I suppose we'll find out one way or another very soon since it goes into effect today.

Hey @valueaddedresource! We did confirm with the Product team that categories that are a part of the new P&A returns policy are Car and Truck only, minus the exclusions that can be found on the Seller Center page under the first FAQ.

Thanks @devon@ebay that's great to hear!

Please pass on the suggestion to that Product team to update the actual help and policy pages ASAP to make that more clear and maybe even consider sending out an email announcement about it.

There are posts across various threads here in the community from boat parts sellers who say they were told when calling into support that it would apply to them and I personally know at least one seller who exclusively sells boat parts who has this banner still showing in their Seller Hub overview page telling them they need to update their listings.

@valueaddedresource Thank you for sharing and we have let the Product know about the feedback and they are looking into it!

devon@ebay

Admin1 year ago

Community Advisor0 View listings

@valueaddedresource wrote:

@klhmdg wrote:

I thought the Free Returns was only for new auto parts.

I think you should read the new policy. I took a look at the policy and it doesnt say Automotive just P&A but I did see this -

Weâ€™re on a mission to make eBay the top destination for buying and selling automotive parts & accessories (P&A). Based on buyer feedback, easy and free returns play a crucial role when choosing where to shop. To better meet this buyer need, weâ€™re updating our return policy to require free returns for eligible P&A listings. We believe this streamlined policy will attract more buyers and increase sales for P&A sellers.

@klhmdg I asked that same question and tagged @devon@ebay @elizabeth@ebay @kyle@ebay over a month ago but never got a definitive answer.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/June-Seller-Update-Forces-Free-Returns-for-Motors-Parts/m-p/35117759/highlight/true#M2573097

Technically, sub-categories for boat parts, golf cart parts, ATV parts, snow mobile parts, and even airplane parts are all tucked under Motors Parts and Accessories, so while the announcement about this change seems geared toward auto parts it's not exactly clear - it just says Parts & Accessories and then has a short list of excluded sub-categories (all of which are various auto parts).

Another poster in that thread said they called support and were told it applied to all of those sub-categories too, not just auto parts, but well we all know that things said by support should be taken with a grain of salt.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/June-Seller-Update-Forces-Free-Returns-for-Motors-Parts/m-p/35121885#M2574112

It would be nice if the blues would respond to confirm but if not, I suppose we'll find out one way or another very soon since it goes into effect today.

@valueaddedresource UPDATE

The Product team was able to provide further clarification on what categories are included:

"The policy applies to all parts and accessories under the category 6028, which means atv utv, boat, motorcycle etc are included to."

valueaddedresource

·1 year ago

5 View listings

@devon@ebay wrote:
@valueaddedresource wrote:
@klhmdg wrote:
I thought the Free Returns was only for new auto parts.

I think you should read the new policy. I took a look at the policy and it doesnt say Automotive just P&A but I did see this -

Weâ€™re on a mission to make eBay the top destination for buying and selling automotive parts & accessories (P&A). Based on buyer feedback, easy and free returns play a crucial role when choosing where to shop. To better meet this buyer need, weâ€™re updating our return policy to require free returns for eligible P&A listings. We believe this streamlined policy will attract more buyers and increase sales for P&A sellers.
@klhmdg I asked that same question and tagged @devon@ebay @elizabeth@ebay @kyle@ebay over a month ago but never got a definitive answer.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/June-Seller-Update-Forces-Free-Returns-for-Motors-Parts/m-p/35117759/highlight/true#M2573097

Technically, sub-categories for boat parts, golf cart parts, ATV parts, snow mobile parts, and even airplane parts are all tucked under Motors Parts and Accessories, so while the announcement about this change seems geared toward auto parts it's not exactly clear - it just says Parts & Accessories and then has a short list of excluded sub-categories (all of which are various auto parts).

Another poster in that thread said they called support and were told it applied to all of those sub-categories too, not just auto parts, but well we all know that things said by support should be taken with a grain of salt.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/June-Seller-Update-Forces-Free-Returns-for-Motors-Parts/m-p/35121885#M2574112

It would be nice if the blues would respond to confirm but if not, I suppose we'll find out one way or another very soon since it goes into effect today.
@valueaddedresource UPDATE

The Product team was further clarification on what categories are included:

"The policy applies to all parts and accessories under the category 6028, which means atv utv, boat, motorcycle etc are included to."

@devon@ebay doh! Thanks for the quick update/correction though!