The Downfall of the 30-Day Warranty: When Convenience Becomes Exploitation (I just need to vent)
If you a sell, a small amount of products more of a Hodgepodge, trying to make few dollars selling off mostly new never used Items you no longer need or will use to help your income, a few things really bother me. Fraud, EBay constantly changing the goalposts. However, perhaps the most insidious, soul-crushing source of frustration is the seemingly benign promise we have all been forced to adopt: The 30-Day Return Policy or suffer the higher selling fees
I know, I know. It sounds like good business. It is what the Amazons and the Walmart’s of the world have conditioned the consumer base to expect. It is the standard safety net. However, lately, that net feels less like a safety feature and more like a trampoline for people who want to use the product you are selling free.
I needed to vent, and if you have ever had a perfectly good item returned to you, used up, abused, and barely squeaking under the deadline, you will know exactly where I am coming from.
The 30-Day Trial Racket: When Buying Becomes Borrowing
Let me paint you a picture—one that hits home for anyone dealing in electronics, especially items that rely on connectivity, like 4G trail cameras devices.
You sell a item. It’s brand new, ready to go. You ship it, taking the hit on postage, packing materials, and the time it takes to process the order. A few days later—the tracking number tells you the item is headed back.
The reason for the return? “Didn’t like it,†“Changed my mind,†or the ever popular, “It wasn’t compatible†(which usually means they did not bother to read the description).
But here is the specific scenario that currently has my blood boiling and prompted this entire rant: the buyer who uses the return policy to execute a precise, calculated free rental scheme.
Think about it: Many electronic devices that require activation—especially cellular devices—come with a free trial period built into the service. Most trail cameras come with 14-day SIM card trial or a 3-week subscription to a premium feature, or just the necessary time needed to move data from their old device to the new one and see if they truly like the overall "ecosystem." 14 days also is enough time to see if an area is active.
The person who buys the device, activates the SIM, uses the trail camera for 12 days straight days to test the camera, load their apps, and burn through the included service trial, only to decide on day 12 that, nope, they don’t like it or some other lame excuse and they want their money back.
They did not buy the item; they rented it. In addition, we, the small sellers, become the involuntary, uncompensated lending library.
dhbookds
·10 months agoJust for info...........when longer return window was started, there were several studies that reported that longer return times resulted in fewer returns.......theory being, buyers forgot........ So may be a tradeoff between using/returning or not returning. I can remember sellers saying they would never sell a book, as it would be read and returned......don't think I've ever seen that actual complaint (tho I'm sure it's happened)........
uncle_guidos_deals_for_you
OP10 months ago(Several studies that reported that longer return times resulted in fewer returns) Who did that study? To me, that makes no sense.
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luckythewinner
·10 months agoSome items are simply not a good fit for the eBay model.
thevintageimage
·10 months agoAgree. Learned a long time ago not to list items in risky categories.
an-57470
·10 months agoYes, an irritating scenario… and I don’t think your fellow sellers will disagree, but if you are truly selling one-off, not-needed personal possessions, then it should not be happening to you with any frequency.
But your listings do not appear to be this.
mam98031
·10 months ago@uncle_guidos_deals_for_you
I respect your rant. I've been here a long time and I've certainly experience many of the things you have. It certainly doesn't always feel good, that is for sure.
Lucky for us, the vast majority of transaction goes off without a hitch. Otherwise there would be a whole lot less sellers if that wasn't true.
Now to the buyers. If they didn't have any protections on this site and other similar sites, like return policies, they wouldn't like come to shop here. That would simply be too risky.
With that said, there are some buyers that do not act in good faith and sellers get taken advantage of. There is no doubt of that. However sadly we have sellers that take advantage of buyers too. It is a two way street. That certainly doesn't justify the behavior.
I sincerely hope things improve for you. ðŸ˜
bill.purvis2012
·10 months agoSame in the jewelry business. Those buyers who 'rent' a piece for a special occasion and then decide they changed their mind. I have one now. She bought necklace (free shipping). 28 days later files return, changed mind. Ebay gives her 3 more weeks to ship. Now, 40 days after receiving still not shipped. It is abusive.
mam98031
·10 months agoHeck if I were you, I'd cross my fingers and hope they never ship it back. If they don't ship it, you can close the claim and you won't have to refund them or pay for the shipping.