how to avoid returns

[cknitz]

Haven't sold anything here for awhile, and am now seeing that if someone is unhappy with their purchase, the Seller must pay for return shipping.  So, I'm wondering about best practices to avoid returns, since this could really cut into my time and reimbursement.  

[glorybells]

You can’t totally avoid it.  Even if you have a No Returns policy, if the buyer claims the item is not as described, you WILL be refunding them, with or without getting the item back.

[cknitz]

I'm not understanding, what do you mean by "with or without getting the item back"  does that mean I would end up not getting paid (having to refund all their payment) and yet unless I pay to have it shipped back, they could just keep the item.  That is a little off-putting for Sellers.

[glorybells]

It means, if a buyer opens an Item Not As Described case, you need to respond to the buyer with a prepaid shipping label (if you want the item back) within 3 days.  On the fourth day, the buyer can escalate the issue to ebay, which means eBay will refund them from YOUR funds and let the buyer keep the item.

[cknitz]

What protections are there for the Seller, are there any?

[cknitz]

thanks for your replies, these policies are going mean I am not going to sell on eBay.  It's just asking for trouble.