Free Returns-What happens if I remove it?

[divwido]

I have, obviously, serious issues with the complain and get free return shipping.  What is the alternative?

I"m not trying to be mean, but not everyone wants a return, it just comes out that way on this site.  Add that to the relentless push for free shipping and I'm working to pay fees and refund people.

What happens if I change my policy? 

[chapeau-noir]

I don't offer free returns but rather 30-day buyer pays returns.  Most people are honest. 

[rebell45 · Accepted solution]

In reality No Returns does not mean no refunds. It just means that you'd have the option of refusing Remorse returns. With other returns like Not as described, Damaged, Missing Parts, Fakes, etc you'd still be on the hook for full refunds and return shipping. I think you'd also lose your TRS status, but I'm not sure about that.   Now you have the option of issuing partial refunds in some cases. You'll want to do some research to learn all the ramifications.

[simba6]

Buyers make up a false SNAD to return it.  Or worse "help" the item get that way.  These days people return as much as they buy.

[mtgraves7984]

Nothing happens if you change your policy... it's your policy. I have TRS status and offer 30-Day (buyer paid) Returns, like @chapeau-noir. I do that simply so that I don't have to pay for remorse returns and for the benefit of disallowing a full refund if an item is returned to me in a de-valued/destroyed condition. Nobody can fight a NAD.

[fern*wood]

You won't lose your TRS status, but items without free returns do not qualify for the TRS plus discount.    I offer a 30 day return policy with the buyer paying for the return shipping and am a TRS with the added seller protection of a partial refund if applicable.

This is totally separate from the MBG which every seller must abide by if that is the type of return you are hit with.

[bigdeals.etc]

The sun will still rise. 🙂

[lightlily_arts]

Each seller has to decide whether they are able to offer free returns.  When you offer returns whether free returns, or buyer paid you have to accept all returns no matter the reason.  If  your items are low weight, and can ship First Class Mail you might be able to absorb the cost, but when they are heavier items that are shipping by Priority Mail it might not make sense unless  in your sales category returns are rare.  If a buyer doesn't want to pay the return shipping they will just declare a SNAD.

[bimm_corp]

I'm not sure of TRS rules having only been TRS for a couple of months some time ago, but might you lose TRS status if you go with no returns?

[chapeau-noir]

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@bimm_corp wrote:

I'm not sure of TRS rules having only been TRS for a couple of months some time ago, but might you lose TRS status if you go with no returns?

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You can be a TRS seller without taking returns - all the other criteria apply, though.

[vintageandvelvetclothing]

Sadly, you will loose your Top rated seller status and discount if you refuse to accept "Free Returns". Just one more thing that Ebay is forcing us to do....to show they no longer support their sellers...you know, the ones that generate all the profits for them??

It's already a huge problem that they have affectively buried the expanded 'description' so that customers no longer see it or read it.....& as a result, customers then claim that they never say the measurements, or the notes that my items are vintage and they fit small....etc. Ultimately, the buyer doesnt care....because they get to return it for free, so it doesnt matter to them. The one that looses out is US...the small independent seller.  

Ebay doesnt even care if we bother with a description anymore.  I've lost over 600 items in their 'system' (that were removed because of missing item specifics) because I didnt have the time to manually convert all of my listings from a thorough description, over to their new item 'specifics' way of searching. It's all really ridiculous....and after selling for them since 2006, I'm fed up. 

[vintageandvelvetclothing]

How right you are!!! I saw a report on the news recently about how the US consumer is changing how they buy....(switching to online) . Most with the frame of mind of  "I'll just order one of each size or color, and just return the ones that I don't want or fit". .....and ultimately us sellers are footing the bill. Sadly, not only does Ebay refuse to do anything about it...they support the buyer by forcing us to accept free returns in order to get our Top Rated Seller discount.  When I started selling on Ebay 20 years ago, it was much different back then...they supported their sellers back then. Not anymore.....very frustrating. 

[kh-gary]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.