Can a seller deduct original shipping cost | Selling

stainlessenginecovers · 2025-04-27T15:33:19.117000Z

On a 'remorse' return for a 'free shipping' item ($100 item, $10 was used for shipping, listed "free shipping")??

dhbookds

·1 year ago

Sorry @stainlessenginecovers I misunderstood the question. Agree you can't deduct original shipping.......but I assume you are going to deduct return shipping?

mam98031

·1 year ago

Owner / Operator19676 View listings

@dhbookds wrote:
Sorry @stainlessenginecovers I misunderstood the question. Agree you can't deduct original shipping.......but I assume you are going to deduct return shipping?

You don't "deduct" it. If the buyer files a proper Buyer Remorse Return Request, the buyer is required to pay return shipping.

If the seller is going to try and deduct the charges for the return shipment from the Buyers refund when they file an INAD, the seller would be breaching policy and risk getting in trouble with Ebay. There are not any type of return policy a seller can have that allows for the buyer paying return shipping on an INAD.

jonathanbrightlight

·1 year ago

0 View listings

Fortunately, I don't think it's even possible in the current process to deduct anything from a properly filed INAD. It only allows you to provide a full refund if I remember correctly (it's been a bit since I've handled one).

stainlessenginecovers

OP1 year ago

5401 View listings

@dhbookds wrote:
Sorry @stainlessenginecovers I misunderstood the question. Agree you can't deduct original shipping.......but I assume you are going to deduct return shipping?

@dhbookds I don't deduct the 'return' shipping; ebay takes it out of the buyers refund.

mam98031

·1 year ago

Owner / Operator19676 View listings

@stainlessenginecovers wrote:
@dhbookds wrote:
Sorry @stainlessenginecovers I misunderstood the question. Agree you can't deduct original shipping.......but I assume you are going to deduct return shipping?
@dhbookds I don't deduct the 'return' shipping; ebay takes it out of the buyers refund.

No they don't. Would you please explain in more detail.

meme6253

·1 year ago

3964 View listings

If you want to deduct your shipping costs you can't offer free shipping, even if you incorporate your shipping cost into the selling price, It is still considered free shipping.

dhbookds

·1 year ago

1664 View listings

Seems to me free shipping and free returns are two different things/policies....... I note that @stainlessenginecovers has the buyer paying for return shipping. ??????

stainlessenginecovers

OP1 year ago

5401 View listings

@dhbookds wrote:
Seems to me free shipping and free returns are two different things/policies....... I note that @stainlessenginecovers has the buyer paying for return shipping. ??????

@dhbookds Yes, they are 2 different programs. One is 'shipping' from a seller to a buyer. The other is 'returns'.

I provide 'free shipping' doesn't mean I also have to provide the $ for the return ride home too..so what is "??????" about?

Typically many companies you buy from will give 'free shipping' but if you return for 'remorse', you pay the 'return shipping' (many deduct from your refund) and they deduct the original cost to ship it to you since the concept of 'free shipping' is that you "keep the item so I will pay the shipping".

Like I said, I know ebay is its own animal, so thought I would see what others thought since qualified sellers can 'deduct' up to 50%.

Since the ebay rule is 'free shipping, then there's nothing to deduct'- then I won't.

mam98031

·1 year ago

Owner / Operator19676 View listings

@dhbookds wrote:
Seems to me free shipping and free returns are two different things/policies....... I note that @stainlessenginecovers has the buyer paying for return shipping. ??????

@dhbookds

That isn't exactly what a 30 day return policy with buyer pays shipping means. If the buyer files a proper Buyer Remorse Request for return, then the seller with this return policy can require the buyer to pay return shipping.

There is not ANY type of return policy a seller can have that will allow the seller to make a buyer pay for return shipping on an INAD. Not even a No Return policy.

stainlessenginecovers

OP1 year ago

5401 View listings

I would think FREE SHIPPING is when you keep the item, not when a seller pays for the shipping and then a buyer 'changes' their mind...but thanks all; I will just eat it.

mam98031

·1 year ago

Owner / Operator19676 View listings

@stainlessenginecovers wrote:
I would think FREE SHIPPING is when you keep the item, not when a seller pays for the shipping and then a buyer 'changes' their mind...but thanks all; I will just eat it.

Keep in mind that when a seller offers Free shipping there is no amount separately stated for the shipping of the item, therefore you can not reduce a refund for the original shipping.

Now the cost to ship the item back to the seller is a different story. Depending on the return policy of the seller, if the buyer files a proper Buyer Remorse return, the buyer would be responsible to pay the return shipping. That will happen on Sellers with 30 day or more return w/ buyer pays shipping or sellers with a No Return policy but they allow the buyer to make a Buyer Remorse return as a seller with this policy can actually deny it if they want.

mypalrocco

·1 year ago

1449 View listings

So by offering free returns, eBay offer you 10% off of your final value fees. The average final vale fee is 13% so you save 10% of that which is 1.3%. 1.3% to open yourself up to buyer abuses including indecisiveness. So you saved $1.30 on that $100 order and it just cost you $10. Sounds like a great deal! Now hope that your item is returned to you in the sellable condition that you sent it so you can resell it or you can throw that $100 in the trash too. Change your free returns policy to no returns.

kensgiftshop

·1 year ago

389 View listings

@mypalrocco wrote:
So by offering free returns, eBay offer you 10% off of your final value fees. The average final vale fee is 13% so you save 10% of that which is 1.3%. 1.3% to open yourself up to buyer abuses including indecisiveness. So you saved $1.30 on that $100 order and it just cost you $10. Sounds like a great deal! Now hope that your item is returned to you in the sellable condition that you sent it so you can resell it or you can throw that $100 in the trash too. Change your free returns policy to no returns.

OP doesn't have free returns, just free shipping.

No returns doesn't do much good, buyers will just lie and file an INAD.

mam98031

·1 year ago

Owner / Operator19676 View listings

@mypalrocco wrote:
So by offering free returns, eBay offer you 10% off of your final value fees. The average final vale fee is 13% so you save 10% of that which is 1.3%. 1.3% to open yourself up to buyer abuses including indecisiveness. So you saved $1.30 on that $100 order and it just cost you $10. Sounds like a great deal! Now hope that your item is returned to you in the sellable condition that you sent it so you can resell it or you can throw that $100 in the trash too. Change your free returns policy to no returns.

For sellers that are TRS, if they offer 1 day shipping and 30 day or longer free shipping those listing will get a 10% off the FVF charged. A $100 x 13.6% = $13.60 x 10% = 1.36 discount. As I stated on another thread where you posted something similar, you aren't eligible to get the 10% discount. For some sellers it works out great for them for others they don't want to mess with it.

It is just a choice for each seller to make for themselves. Some do it that are eligible and others don't. For you, if you were eligible, it likely would not be worth it for you due to your sales rate. That is not mean as an insult in any way. It is just this discount is good for some and not for others.

Nor do all sellers see some big jump in returns when they offer Free Returns. Some likely do and some don't. Not everyone walks the same path.

johnrj1226

·1 year ago

1193 View listings

No - free shipping is free

johnrj1226

·1 year ago

1193 View listings

"One more thing" - this guy used to say it in every episode. Ya' had to be around from 1968 thru 2003. Hint: Peter Faulk

........and some people actually don't combine a shipping/handling charge to the price of the item as they thought they didn't have to pay for a shipping label - it takes all kinds to make the world go around.

inhawaii

·1 year ago

Ebay's most handsome seller.4852 View listings

I disagree with @oldwestcoins .

Sure you CAN.

But it's not right.

You may have done it before.

But it's not right.

mam98031

·1 year ago

Owner / Operator19676 View listings

@stainlessenginecovers

Whenever you offer Free Shipping you can't deduct a penny for shipping if a buyer files a properly filed Buyer Remorse return.

If you have a No Return policy or a 30+ days with buyer pays shipping, then you can require the buyer to pay for the return shipping on a properly filed Buyer's Remorse Return.

oldwestcoins

·1 year ago

1625 View listings

On a remorse return, yes, they can. I have done it several times and confirmed okay by eBay. I also state it in my return policy. Why should a seller have to incur any expense on a remorse return? You bought by mistake, etc. Read what you are buying before clicking to purchase. Most sellers here are not Walmart in size.

albertabrightalberta

·1 year ago

I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you.104 View listings

@oldwestcoins wrote:
On a remorse return, yes, they can. I have done it several times and confirmed okay by eBay. I also state it in my return policy.

Your own listings have "free" (to the buyer) shipping and you CANNOT deduct what you paid for shipping from a remorse return refund.

Only if shipping is a separate charge can it be retained by the seller.

oldwestcoins

·1 year ago

1625 View listings

You are incorrect. I have the chat transcripts from eBay CS, and they abide by what they state. eBay has always backed me. It is in my eBay return policy, clearly stated. This is not my main selling ID, and I have been with eBay for over 25 years with multimillion-dollar sales. It's okay to operate how you "believe" you can and I will operate how I have. Have a good day.

albertabrightalberta

·1 year ago

I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you.104 View listings

@oldwestcoins wrote:
You are incorrect. I have the chat transcripts from eBay CS, and they abide by what they state. eBay has always backed me. It is in my eBay return policy, clearly stated. This is not my main selling ID, and I have been with eBay for over 25 years with multimillion-dollar sales. It's okay to operate how you "believe" you can and I will operate how I have. Have a good day.

I'm not incorrect. And in fact, @kyle@ebay posted on another thread after you gave the same incorrect information nearly 2 years ago.

This is Kyle's post:
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Returns/Am-I-Allowed-to-Deduct-My-Original-Shipping-Cost-from-Refund/m-p/33791077#M34990

kensgiftshop

·1 year ago

389 View listings

@oldwestcoins wrote:
You are incorrect. I have the chat transcripts from eBay CS, and they abide by what they state. eBay has always backed me. It is in my eBay return policy, clearly stated. This is not my main selling ID, and I have been with eBay for over 25 years with multimillion-dollar sales. It's okay to operate how you "believe" you can and I will operate how I have. Have a good day.

As usual, CS didn't give very good information.

If the buyer didn't pay for shipping, there's nothing to deduct.

kensgiftshop

·1 year ago

389 View listings

@oldwestcoins wrote:
On a remorse return, yes, they can. I have done it several times and confirmed okay by eBay. I also state it in my return policy. Why should a seller have to incur any expense on a remorse return? You bought by mistake, etc. Read what you are buying before clicking to purchase. Most sellers here are not Walmart in size.

If it's free shipping, there's no shipping to deduct.

If the buyer pays shipping, then yes, you can deduct it.

kensgiftshop

·1 year ago

389 View listings

If it was free shipping, the buyer didn't pay anything for the shipping, so there's nothing to deduct.

That's one of the downsides to free shipping.

hartungcards

·1 year ago

955 View listings

Yes, you can deduct the original shipping cost of $0.00 on this return.

1 year ago

6923 View listings

If shipping was free to the buyer the seller cannot deduct original shipping cost. The only time a seller can deduct original shipping is when there was a shipping cost charged to the buyer.