Advice on return policy for larger/heavier items

[pacificchihuahua]

Hi everyone, new seller on a different account here.

So far I've been doing free shipping w/buyer paying return shipping. I'm very happy with that and have done so before with a prior website etc. So far I've had no returns and these are small lightweight items, so I've not really been concerned about the return shipping cost possibility. 

However, I'm considering listing some heavier/larger items (around 17 x 14 x 10 " box, around 3 lbs). 

I'm seeing that the cheapest shipping with that is somewhere around $15-$17. (the value of the items are at around say, $30-$50).

I'm curious if anyone has advice with regards to best ways of working return shipping cost with these types of items.

My first guess is: 

Don't do free shipping on these (meaning the initial shipping when purchased) so that the buyer doesn't get sticker-shock should they have to return it. Let them know that the shipping they're paying is the what they'd have to pay with a return. (?)

There are a number of other options I can think of, but am feeling rather clueless and would greatly appreciate input from those with experience!

Thanks much in advance.

[orangehound]

On most items 2 pounds and over, I charge actual (or near-actual) shipping specifically to discourage returns.

I lower the price of the item to make the overall price+shipping competitive for shipping up to zone 5

[klhmdg]

Most places 17x14x10 will have dimensional weight for shipping. So the $15 - $17 seems really cheap.

Also IF the buyer says "not as described" no matter if thats true or not, YOU will either refund in full or pay shipping back to you.

[pacificchihuahua]

Ah- very good! What a great thought about the discouraging returns and yet it's putting the actual amt up front at the same time.

I was also going to include a question about regional boxes but didn't want to go "off topic", but since you mentioned zones... when sellers use regional boxes, if they want a return, how do they return-ship? Can buyer use the same box and if not (or if they didn't keep it) what then?

I so appreciate the input you've already given- thanks!! 😁

[pacificchihuahua]

Thanks! 🙂  So...do you then personally just not to sell that size/weight due to the hassle then? I can understand that for sure too and was one of my thoughts as well. Fortunately,  this would be only a minority of my items so I can consider other options though I'd ideally like to sell them here. I'd be curious to know your reply. Thanks!!

[soh.maryl]

If a buyer should open an item not as described case, it's you, the seller, who will be paying the return shipping cost.  Please read the MBG if that information was a surprise to you.

Plus mentioning the cost of return in the listing, IMHO, is just plain foolish.  You're saying to the buyer that you think there is a real possibility that your item will disappoint them in some way.  

[orangehound]

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@pacificchihuahua wrote:

I was also going to include a question about regional boxes but didn't want to go "off topic", but since you mentioned zones... when sellers use regional boxes, if they want a return, how do they return-ship? Can buyer use the same box and if not (or if they didn't keep it) what then?😁

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@pacificchihuahua 

On a return, eBay charges the buyer (or the seller on a free-return or MBG claim) the same shipping as the original purchase if the seller used eBay postoge.  So, if you paid $16 for postage to ship the item to the customer, then the return shipping charged by eBay will be $16.

My understanding is that it doesn't matter what packaging, boxes, etc. that the buyer uses to return the item.

• The buyer receives either a First Class Return Shipping label or Priority Mail Return Shipping label from eBay.  The label that is issued corresponds to the shipping method of the listed item.
• When the buyer uses the label to return the package, eBay pays a flat rate for the label to the USPS ... I don't know the numbers (it changes each year), but it might be $5 for a First Class Package label and $11 for a Priority Mail Label.  The USPS determines this flat rate for packages based on a sample of the sizes/weights/packages that customers used in the past, creating an average shipping cost.
• eBay charges the buyer/seller the amount of the original shipping if eBay labels were used ... I don't know what they charge if eBay labels are not used.

[klhmdg]

Hello, I dont sell items that fall into dimensional shipping rules but some sellers do. 

I have also heard that even though they shipped it correctly on the return eBay supplied a label and it was not "enough" postage for the dimensional  rate. Then the seller was billed through eBay for the extra postage.

You may consider getting your own FedEx or UPS account so you control the costs. There are many posts on the boards of huge charges after the fact and issues...

[68barbie]

• eBay charges the buyer/seller the amount of the original shipping if eBay labels were used ... I don't know what they charge if eBay labels are not used.

eBay will charge what they want with the First Class Return Label. I recently had a rather heavy and large item that I used my private FedEx account to ship; it cost me $27.00. The buyer requested a SNAD return and because I offer free returns, eBay auto-provided them with a First Class Return label that cost me $57- $30 more than the original shipping! Ouch.  I debated at the time whether or not to just refund without a return due to the cost of the original shipping not even dreaming I would pay more than 2x the cost on the return! The item was a false SNAD and it quickly resold. I have resolved that if the latest buyer gets a wild hair and claims SNAD it will be theirs with my blessing. 

-C

[pacificchihuahua]

Wow- thanks a ton!! I appreciate all your generosity with your time and I'm pasting this 🙂

[pacificchihuahua]

Oh jeez. Ok, it's seeming not worth it I'm thinking. It's not a biggie for me not to do these few items so probably more stress than it's worth. I'll respond to more ppl here tmro! Thank you!!