Buyers falsely claiming not as described

[clarissa4692]

I am fed up with buyers claiming "not as described" just so they don't have to pay shipping either way. I sold a shirt. In the description, I list ALL the measurements. She said the sleeves "looked longer in the photos". The sleeve length I listed was 21" which is shorter. I sent her a message saying she could return the shirt, but I wouldn't pay for the shipping either way. No response from her except to very quickly print the return label and ship it. I did report the buyer to eBay. Received the shirt from the buyer in 2 days. System will not allow a partial refund. I called eBay and got nowhere.

Do they read these message boards? I had 3 of these type returns in 6 months and eBay lowered my standard and charged me 15% high final value fees! If it was my fault, I would take it. But my listings are very descriptive with all the measurements and many photos. Any ideas?

[downunder-61]

Go here to report a buyer for misusing the Money Back Guarantee. https://spd.ebay.com/RBASellerHub

And while some eBay reps do reply here, they will never reply to any of these 'calling out eBay' type posts because they really have no answer as to why/how/if anything will ever be adressed as far as the uneven playing field between buyer's and seller's on this platform.

[clarissa4692]

Thanks for your answer. I did report her. All the times I have reported a buyer, I never hear back. So frustrating. Thanks again. 

[Anonymous]

Clothing is absolutely brutal to sell on here. Just saying. 

[theteamsetguy]

I offer free returns to avoid buyers doing false not as described returns because they don’t have to. All they have to do click return button and I have it set up with auto approval to issue buyer a return label. 

[vintagecraze50]

Yep, that is THE BEST WAY to prevent to ole SNAD return.

[vintagecraze50]

Man, selling clothing on here with fit issues is a real problem sometimes and probably a very common expected experience for people selling that stuff. You do not know how that item is really going to fit until you try it on. I never even buy anything in a brick and mortar before trying it on first. It;s tough online. Do the free returns to prevent your metrics from going down down down.

[lakefor94]

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@clarissa4692 wrote:

I am fed up with buyers claiming "not as described" just so they don't have to pay shipping either way. I sold a shirt. In the description, I list ALL the measurements. She said the sleeves "looked longer in the photos". The sleeve length I listed was 21" which is shorter. I sent her a message saying she could return the shirt, but I wouldn't pay for the shipping either way. No response from her except to very quickly print the return label and ship it. I did report the buyer to eBay. Received the shirt from the buyer in 2 days. System will not allow a partial refund. I called eBay and got nowhere.

Do they read these message boards? I had 3 of these type returns in 6 months and eBay lowered my standard and charged me 15% high final value fees! If it was my fault, I would take it. But my listings are very descriptive with all the measurements and many photos. Any ideas?

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I think heavy returns go with the territory, clothes, shoes etc.  You sell some really nice items and I can see where the extra 6% FVF would hurt terribly.  Best of luck with increased sales to shake that 6%.

I would not waste time contacting eBay about it. If the buyer files INAD, it stinks, but that is the way most selling venues are set up. Nothing we can do but report buyer and move on. 

[kazzzabiker]

I do not understand why we sellers can put no returns if we are still expected to do them, some of us sellers are just selling our own personal items, we are not a business and no returns should mean no returns, I find it Rude if people do not understand that. When I've bought clothing off eBay and it doesn't quite fit correctly I will simply take photos and relist it and unless the item is damaged in any way that's what they should do!

[zippyused]

Change your return policy to have a 20% restocking fee. You do also have the option to decline a return, at least with my experience. The buyer will then ask ebay to step in. Once that happens, try to explain to ebay that the listing CLEARLY had the dimensions, measurements, ect. It's a 50-50 chance, but ebay may side in your favor.

[zippyused]

Totally agree...about 40% of my items get returned because they didn't fit the buyer.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@clarissa4692 wrote:

I am fed up with buyers claiming "not as described" just so they don't have to pay shipping either way. I sold a shirt. In the description, I list ALL the measurements. She said the sleeves "looked longer in the photos". The sleeve length I listed was 21" which is shorter. I sent her a message saying she could return the shirt, but I wouldn't pay for the shipping either way. No response from her except to very quickly print the return label and ship it. I did report the buyer to eBay. Received the shirt from the buyer in 2 days. System will not allow a partial refund. I called eBay and got nowhere.

Do they read these message boards? I had 3 of these type returns in 6 months and eBay lowered my standard and charged me 15% high final value fees! If it was my fault, I would take it. But my listings are very descriptive with all the measurements and many photos. Any ideas?

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When a buyer files NAD, you cannot withhold the shipping and complaining to ebay is an exercise in futility.  Many buyers do lie in order to avoid paying return shipping costs. 

Sorry this happened because you do have a return policy and an honest buyer should have been willing to pay for the return. 

[varebelrose]

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@zippyused wrote:

Change your return policy to have a 20% restocking fee. You do also have the option to decline a return, at least with my experience. The buyer will then ask ebay to step in. Once that happens, try to explain to ebay that the listing CLEARLY had the dimensions, measurements, ect. It's a 50-50 chance, but ebay may side in your favor.

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There is so much wrong here that I don't know where to begin....

[albertabrightalberta]

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@zippyused wrote:

1. Change your return policy to have a 20% restocking fee.

2. You do also have the option to decline a return, at least with my experience. The buyer will then ask ebay to step in.

3. Once that happens, try to explain to ebay that the listing CLEARLY had the dimensions, measurements, ect. It's a 50-50 chance, but ebay may side in your favor.

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1. Restocking fees are prohibited

2. Yes, you can decline the return and ebay will give the buyer a refund and allow the buyer to keep the item free. 

3. 0% chance ebay will rule in your (seller's) favor. 100% chance seller loses. 

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@zippyused wrote:

Change your return policy to have a 20% restocking fee. You do also have the option to decline a return, at least with my experience. The buyer will then ask ebay to step in. Once that happens, try to explain to ebay that the listing CLEARLY had the dimensions, measurements, ect. It's a 50-50 chance, but ebay may side in your favor.

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Restocking fees are no longer allowed.  A seller can decline a return If they have a no return policy and the buyer opens a return for a remorse reason. The seller can then decline and the request is closed.  A seller can't decline not as described request and they cannot decline if they have a return policy.