Selling an item "as is", if the buyer wants to return, should the buyer pay for the return shipping
I am selling an item "as is". Now the buyer contacted me and wants to return the item. I am fine to accept the return but should the buyer pay for the return shipping? also when I issue the refund, could I deduct the original shipping from the refund? @@kyle@ebay
21 comments
mam98031
·2 years agoIf you had a No Return policy on the transaction your buyer purchased and they file a proper Buyer Remorse return, then if you decide to process the claim, the buyer will need to pay for return shipping. Also when you go to refund the sale, you can deduct the original shipping. But this is ONLY on a properly filed Buyer Remorse return.
If your buyer opens a INAD, then you don't have a choice. You will pay for return shipping and once you receive the item back you will need to refund. Don't let it go so long that Ebay steps in and forces you to refund. That isn't a good thing for a seller to allow.
mam98031
·2 years ago"As is" really doesn't mean much of anything on Ebay. Our Return policies have to meet or exceed the MBG.
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.
broto_64
·2 years agoPlease read fully Ebay's Money Back Guarantee as it applies to ALL listings regardless of your condition description:
https://pages.ebay.com/ebay-money-back-guarantee/
By the way...
All items sold are in "AS IS" condition, so "buyer beware" (which is what I think you're inferring) doesn't apply.
jack8182009
OP2 years agoThank you all for the responses.
fashunu4eeuh
·2 years agoThe complete condition title is “For Parts or Not Working†but it actually depends on the category you are selling in as to the exact wording available when describing item condition. (For more info see link below.)
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/creating-managing-listings/item-conditions-category?id=4765
@robbie31415 is right about selling “as is†on eBay. It is meaningless and can be overcome by the Money Back Guarantee.
Before listing something, the seller needs to be able to accurately describe the item, know whether it is functional or not. Any flaws need to be noted. Without doing so, the seller takes a substantial risk of getting a Not As Described case opened against them. That can get a seller a defect, which can downgrade one’s standing on eBay, if too many are acquired.
Just food for thought—I prefer to offer Free Returns so I stopped listing anything as For Parts or Not Working a few years back. The reason is because some buyers don’t do their due diligence or bother to read the information in the listing. They buy without knowing about the item’s flaws or functionality because they saw the price and the photos and thought they were getting a good deal. (Always a good idea to photograph the flaws for inclusion in the listing.)
So if it is broken or not working, i don’t list it.
Best of luck to you, and please come back to the forum anytime.
robbie31415
·2 years agoI offer for parts, with free returns.
No one has returned any so far.
And its really not just eBays MBG.
Paypal buyer protections, venmo now since that's been added recently.
Not to mention every transaction that passes through Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc have INAD codes.
It's literally impossible to make 'As Is' stick.
inhawaii
·2 years agoSelling something "as is" or even "broken", "not working" or "parts only", if the buyer is unhappy and files a NAD (not as described) return, you will have to pay to have it returned (if you want it returned) and you will have to refund the buyer.
robbie31415
·2 years agoAs is only works offline.
They buyer is able to see, examine, touch, and agrees to the condition.
Even then As Is can be broken if they used electronic payment.
Online sales there is no 'As is'.
The best way to list it as 'For Parts'. If you don't have the clue if something is functioning properly, is complete, or that it may have issues, the safest way to list is 'For Parts'. And they can still open a return if they don't like what they got.
jack8182009
OP2 years agook, thanks. It seems For Parts is a better option or don't sell anything I don't know how to operate.
sin-n-dex
·2 years agoI'd say if you can't test it to make sure it's operational, always list for parts. There are scavengers who buy broken items and fix them. Your customer will probably end up being one of those.
C.
stainlessenginecovers
·2 years agoThis is simple. Since you are the ONLY one that knows what IS in the "as IS", then you need to simply refund, in full.
If your listing states 'buyer pays return shipping' and it's a remorse return, then your buyer does just that, pay the shipping.
Also, if your items are shown as 'returns accepted buyer pays etc.' then the toggle is OFF when you refund and you have the OPTION to return their original shipping or not.
If buyer opens a NAD- all bets are off-you pay everything.
chevymontecarlo88
·2 years agoWhat is your customer expecting? Have you had any conversation with them about the return? As others have stated, if they select INAD, you will be paying for the shipping both ways along with the refund of the price paid. You may want to contact your customer to see if they would even consider paying for the shipping.
-Good Luck
lacemaker3
·2 years ago@jack8182009
I assume you are asking about the Numera emergency reporting system, which was sold on July 4. That is your only recent sale that says "as is" in the description, as far as I can see.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/285899440781
That listing had condition Used, which in that category means:
Used: The item has been previously used. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but it is fully operational and functions as intended. The item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller's listing for full details and a description of any imperfections
The verbiage in your description "Selling as is" only means that you are selling it "as described" which is the case with all eBay listings. If there is a problem with the item that you didn't disclose in the description and/or pictures, then it is not as described.
If the buyer opens a return request with a reason that is "not as described" in any way, then the seller has to pay for the shipping both ways.
jack8182009
OP2 years agoI am just curious how to determine functional. I stated in my post that this item powers on and since I have no idea how to setup this device so I also stated that other functions are not tested. He messaged me about the password of this device and I have no idea that this thing needs a password. How should I describe it then as a reference for my future list?
kensgiftshop
·2 years agoList it as parts or repair and probably password protected and you don't know the password.
Still won't stop a return though.
sin-n-dex
·2 years ago"For Parts"
I had a phone system (this was 10 years ago), it was supposed to have worked in the office I got it from, but I couldn't test each phone to make sure. I sold it as is for parts or repair, which basically means it may or may not work as intended. You get less money, but at least the buyer knows it might not be functional.
C.
caldreamer
·2 years agoEBAY returns system is automated and amount of refund owed depends on reason the customer gave. If reason for return is "not as described, counterfeit, defective, missing parts" you will be forced to refund (purchase price + shipping BOTH ways). If reason for return is "changed my mind or does not fit" you only have to refund (purchase price).
If you refuse to refund customer the correct amount (EBAY will force a refund + you will get a defect on your account).
kensgiftshop
·2 years agoAs Is doesn't mean much, a buyer can still return.
Who pays return shipping, depends on the reason the buyer selects for the return.
If buyer files an INAD, you pay return shipping and buyer gets a full refund.
12345jamesstamps
·2 years ago"as is"....is hard to figure what exactly that means.
Item not as described from the buyer's eyes...not yours means something else.
It depends how the buyer opens a claim first and their excuse...you can ask buyer is it a remorse return which buyer pays for shipping or if item not as described seller pays for return shipping...and I am not telling you what to tell buyer...if you get my drift.
dbfolks166mt
·2 years agoNot much detail so can't offer much advice. What what was the item, has the buyer actually opened a return request or just messaged you? If they opened an official request what was the reason for requesting the return?
Your listings vary between seller accepts returns and seller does not accept returns. The later only applies in the case of a remorse return so need some additional information.
slippinjimmy
·2 years agoDepends on the reason for the return and how your listing was set up.
What was the listing number?