eBay

etaks_00 · ‎07-06-2022

Returns are on the rise, watch the news. Blame Amazon or who ever, but people are returning at greater numbers then ever. Ebay make seller pay for shipping to the customer and makes the seller pay for shipping on returns (unless you can convince buyer not to open an INAD and pay for his own return label which is hard to do) So unless your a big store and can afford that cost of business, great. But for all the casual sellers that sell a couple items a year one return on a heavy item that was shipped will wipe out all your profits and time spent. Its just not worth it. Ebay will auto side with buyer so don't bother trying to fight it. Search "Ebay SNAD" or "EBAY INAD" there are plenty of video's on you tube that prove it, and most from top sellers too not even small guys. Small time sellers and casual seller stand no chance.

heckofagame · ‎07-06-2022

What is funny is that after places like Amazon have encouraged returning for any reason, they are now considering the change that requires returns be done in person at a local store that is designated for returns, rather than pay for the return shipping.

soh.maryl · ‎07-06-2022

"Ebay make seller pay for shipping to the customer . . ."

No, I don't think so.

When a buyer makes a purchase from a seller, unless the seller offers free shipping, the BUYER pays the seller the shipping fee. The seller, in turn, uses those funds to pay the shipper, USPS,.UPS, FedEx or whoever.

So, no, the seller doesn't pay for shipping.

And, yes, if the buyer opens an item not as described case, and the seller accepts that return, then, in that case, the seller does pay for the return shipping cost.

etaks_00 · ‎07-06-2022

"The seller, in turn, uses those funds to pay the shipper, USPS,.UPS, FedEx or whoever" There is no logistic service's ebay offers. the cost of shipping is a cost that the seller pays one way or another. Now if you offer free shipping and bake that into the price, or charge the buyer shipping cost, doesn't matter it increases the cost of the items which makes it harder to sell and compete and ultimately is a cost of doing business on ebay and is painful for casual sellers.

lamber9347 · ‎07-06-2022

This platform is for connecting sellers and buyers, so shipping falls on either side. No, eBay is not 'making sellers' pay for initial shipping, you do that if you choose to. I never pay for shipping; my buyers pay for their own shipping. Also, heavy items should not be sold online because of the shipping. How else will your heavy item get to the buyer? Heavy items need to be sold in person. Lastly, I haven't had a return myself this year. My last returns were one time in 2021, and one in 2020, none in 2019. If you have a lot of returns, then it's about the items you are choosing to sell. Best of luck to you....

simba6 · ‎07-06-2022

When people need money, they look around the house for purchases that can return.

bashort · ‎07-06-2022

One thing that I did was I no longer pass the ebay shipping discounts on to the buyer, this charges every buyer slightly more than the what the actual shipping charges are, this is used to pay shipping on returns as needed. Nothing is free

soh.maryl · ‎07-06-2022

Still don't understand: If your item is listed for $20 with $5 shipping, and I buy it, I pay you $25.

Since you, presumably, would use that $5 to pay for shipping, how do you figure that that's a cost that you, the seller, pay?

slippinjimmy · ‎07-06-2022

@etaks_00 wrote:

Returns are on the rise, watch the news. Blame Amazon or who ever, but people are returning at greater numbers then ever. Ebay make seller pay for shipping to the customer and makes the seller pay for shipping on returns (unless you can convince buyer not to open an INAD and pay for his own return label which is hard to do) So unless your a big store and can afford that cost of business, great. But for all the casual sellers that sell a couple items a year one return on a heavy item that was shipped will wipe out all your profits and time spent. Its just not worth it. Ebay will auto side with buyer so don't bother trying to fight it. Search "Ebay SNAD" or "EBAY INAD" there are plenty of video's on you tube that prove it, and most from top sellers too not even small guys. Small time sellers and casual seller stand no chance.

You can avoid almost all returns by having satisfied customers, that means describing your items accurately and packing your items properly. Unfortunately there are a lot of eBay sellers who can't do either.

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep

kensgiftshop · ‎07-06-2022

@etaks_00

Have you looked to see whats causing more returns?

Good descriptions would help cut down on them.

I think I've had 2 returns in the last five years and both buyers paid return shipping.

Not accepting returns, buyers will lie and file a false INAD so they can get their money back.

Have a great day.

ulfesharpe · ‎07-06-2022

In any business there's returns and replacements, right? In my experience, returns have affected me around 0,1% and replacements for lost or "something happened" items maybe 1% or 2%. I believe all this heals itself if you have consistent sales.

The real trouble here for casual sellers is that selling on ebay nowadays isn't consistent enough.

Anonymous · ‎07-06-2022

@etaks_00 wrote:
Ebay make seller pay for shipping to the customer and makes the seller pay for shipping on returns

Sellers should incorporating shipping costs into the cost of their item when offering "free" shipping. If you aren't, you have no one to blame but yourself.

stainlessenginecovers · ‎07-06-2022

@heckofagame wrote:
requires returns be done in person at a local store that is designated for returns

Actually they already do it. They have 'hubs' all over the place. Drivers 'drop off in lockers' your items as well as 'pick up returns'. Here, it's at a local KOHLS store. The store even gives you a $5 off coupon to use just for coming in and dropping off a return.

sakic92710 · ‎07-06-2022

I'm certain the OP means, when you refund, you are paying for shipping to the buyer because it is now money out of your pocket. You are giving back the money you used to mail their item & now paying for it to be returned, as well.