Returning Formalwear
Summary: simplysaidbysues shared an experience with a buyer who returned a worn and soiled gown but still managed to get a full refund. stainlessenginecovers explained that sellers are required to honor returns if they offer them, and mentioned the possibility of deducting up to 50% for certain returns. caldreamer suggested including a warning with packages to prevent tag removal. ryry-jj and pickapaper discussed the common issue of return abuse, especially with formal wear, and how some sellers use noticeable tags as a deterrent. chapeau-noir shared that they stopped selling formal wear due to similar challenges and noted that partial refunds might not offset the losses from return abuse.
I am curious as to if anyone else is having this issue. I sell formal wear, gowns and suits. When I post a listing, I list all the measurements as any defects that may be on the item to ensure fit. I also have a hang tag on the outside of the dress that can have to be removed in order to wear it. I had someone return a gown with tag removed and soiled on the bottom of the dress. You can see that it was worn. The buyer requested a full refund said it didn't fit. I tried to dispute it but the buyer won. Has anyone had the same experience and if so, what was your outcome?
mam98031
·1 month ago@simplysaidbysues Since you are TRS and you offer Free Returns, you could have given them a reduced refund for using the item, up to 50%.
chapeau-noir
·1 month agoThere's a reason I stopped selling formal wear years ago. There wasn't the ability to deduct 50% for return abuse then, but I'm not sure it would make up for a gown being ruined with dirt, dry cleaning expense and then having to sell it pre-owned. However, it is definitely better than full refund!
pickapaper
·1 month agoYou are selling garments that are usually one-time-wear garments, so you are more wide open for buyers to abuse the system. Why buy a dress at a store when you can buy it on eBay, wear it and return it for a refund...and because of eBay's Money Back Guarantee, the buyers get away with it.
I don't sell many clothes but I do the same as you and @caldreamer : I put a big tag in a conspicuous place and put a big note on it that the tag must remain intact for return. I think I had one buyer remove the tag and return it anyway.
I remember years ago, there was a seller who specialized in bridal gowns, who posted a lot on the boards. The stories she told about the gowns that were returned after being worn, some had even been altered, and I think she even found some photos on the internet of a couple of buyers wearing the gown at their wedding. I don't know if she is still selling or not, that's been a long time ago.
ryry-jj
·1 month agoFor one, tags are part of the item, dirt and soil isnt, so when they return, and the items isn't in the same condition as it was shipped, then hopefully you are set up to deduct 50% of the return price.
caldreamer
·1 month agoHow I solved this problem is to include a warning with every package. Big red letters "DO NOT REMOVE ANY TAGS OR STICKERS (tags must be attached or we cannot accept your return). It worked 100% and I never had a problem after that.
stainlessenginecovers
·1 month agoFirst- you offer 30 day returns; therefore- for ANY reason, a buyer CAN return something and you MUST honor it.
'Disputes' are for buyers. NOT for sellers that offer returns. Since you obviously did NOT 'refund' within the 48 required hours after delivery back to you- ebay will do it for you and ding your metrics on top of it.
Some sellers can 'deduct' up to 50% of the refund with cause and ONLY if you are qualified to do so (it will show on the return screen when you go to do a refund if you can 'deduct' and you usually need to provide a good reason; provide a picture; NOT do it 'too much' or that 'allowed' will be removed from you.