Automated returns

[caeintegration]

When did eBay replace my customer service with an automated return system?  I can sell used equipment at low prices because I can generally resolve any customer issues remotely.  If the product is truly DOA, I issue a refund and skip the return shipping.  It's better for the customer, me, and the environment.  I've been doing this successfully for 20 years, and now eBay decides to take over!  Does anyone see a way to deal with this other than dropping their lowest-tier products?

[asset_liquidators]

They changed that quite some time ago. The only way around it is to change your listing to "no returns", that way, you have a chance to do exactly as you mentioned.

With 30 day returns, ebay automatically approves the return on your behalf so you get stuck paying for a return on something you may have just preferred to refund without requiring a return. 

Pretty **bleep** of ebay but then again, would you expect anything else out of them?

[itscalledapostingid]

Select the "Require RMA number" option in return preferences. When a customer starts a return nothing will happen until you reply with an RMA number. That will give you a chance to contact your customer first to provide tech support or offer some other resolution before issuing a return shipping label.

[caeintegration]

Great suggestion!  It took awhile to find the right menu.  If only eBay had a search for its internal menus!  Whenever they add something it gets less intuitive...