RESTOCKING FEES AND BUYERS RETURNS

[a_dame_and_her_pets_collectibles]

I'd like to know why as a seller we are not allowed to charge a restocking fee when we offer returns.  This is getting like Amazon now where people have remorse and want to return items for free and not get penalized.  Either that or they flat out lie about ex. damage to item to get a free return.  We're giving them an opportunity to return an item but why are we stuck paying the postage, in my case, there and back to me, since I offer free shipping on most of my items.  Something needs to be done about this since it's happening way more frequently than it used to.

[heckofagame · Accepted solution]

The only way you can stop this from happening is to stop selling. Otherwise, you just have to roll with it. 

[albertabrightalberta]

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@a_dame_and_her_pets_collectibles wrote:

I'd like to know why as a seller we are not allowed to charge a restocking fee when we offer returns.  This is getting like Amazon now where people have remorse and want to return items for free and not get penalized.  Either that or they flat out lie about ex. damage to item to get a free return.  We're giving them an opportunity to return an item but why are we stuck paying the postage, in my case, there and back to me, since I offer free shipping on most of my items.  Something needs to be done about this since it's happening way more frequently than it used to.

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You are the one who sets your return policy. If you don't want remorse returns, you can have a "no return" policy. But if a buyer files a NAD claim (true or not), you have to accept the return and pay return shipping if you want the item back. 

For remorse returns, you're obligated to accept returns with or without buyer paying return shipping, depending on your policy. (Currently, you don't have free returns so the buyer does pay to send it back.) 

One change you might consider is to charge separately for shipping. With remorse returns, they pay for return shipping (if that's the policy) and you don't have refund for original shipping. So buyer's refund is for the item price only.

[albertabrightalberta]

BTW, your list of "rules" and terms is a total turn-off! 

This statement in your novelette will have a negative impact on your metrics unless you have a long handling time. Once the buyer pays, you should ship! You shouldn't be holding off shipping waiting for payouts to reach your bank. 

**YOUR ITEM DOES NOT SHIP OUT UNTIL WE HAVE BEEN PAID OUT BY EBAY.  YOUR FUNDS ARE MOST LIKELY NOT GOING TO CLEAR FOR A 1-2 DAYS, AND THAT'S WHEN YOUR ITEM WILL SHIP.  

and this -- it's not up to you when ebay to keep a buyer waiting for their refund. (Sometimes there's a slight delay if a credit is issued to a c.c. but you don't control that. 

IF A CANCELLATION/REFUND IS AWARDED, YOU WILL NEED TO WAIT UNTIL YOUR FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO US BEFORE WE CANCEL YOUR PURCHASE.  YOU WILL "NOT" GET AN IMMEDIATE REFUND.** 

[bonjourami]

Amazon is charging for returns now.

[stainlessenginecovers]

You are NOT allowed to charge a 'restocking' fee because almost NO OTHER website allows this either. 

If you want to be able to refund 'just the item' then you have to eliminate FREE shipping. 

Is a simple as that and has been that way for Years. 

[a_dame_and_her_pets_collectibles]

I didn't ask about rules, terms or policies, but thanks anyway.  When Paypal used to handle the money portion, there were times that a payment didn't go through and Ebay wanted me to "NOT" mail the item out.  Well, now that Ebay handles everything, I will certainly wait until payment clears.  Not when it hits my bank, but when Ebay clears it.  Usually the following day.  I have a 2 day handling time and I most always abide by that.  As far as cancellations go, same practice.  I wait until I see the money cleared by Ebay, otherwise thats how scams happen.  I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you.

[a_dame_and_her_pets_collectibles]

Yes, they are as it should be I've come to find out.

[a_dame_and_her_pets_collectibles]

Yes that's what it seems like.  It's getting old anyway with too many new sellers undercutting older sellers prices.  I don't understand why they just don't donate the items instead of giving it away or losing money on the sale.  I see it everyday and unless they're getting free shipping, I just don't get it...

[lakefor94]

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@albertabrightalberta wrote:

BTW, your list of "rules" and terms is a total turn-off! 

This statement in your novelette will have a negative impact on your metrics unless you have a long handling time. Once the buyer pays, you should ship! You shouldn't be holding off shipping waiting for payouts to reach your bank. 

**YOUR ITEM DOES NOT SHIP OUT UNTIL WE HAVE BEEN PAID OUT BY EBAY.  YOUR FUNDS ARE MOST LIKELY NOT GOING TO CLEAR FOR A 1-2 DAYS, AND THAT'S WHEN YOUR ITEM WILL SHIP.  

and this -- it's not up to you when ebay to keep a buyer waiting for their refund. (Sometimes there's a slight delay if a credit is issued to a c.c. but you don't control that. 

IF A CANCELLATION/REFUND IS AWARDED, YOU WILL NEED TO WAIT UNTIL YOUR FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO US BEFORE WE CANCEL YOUR PURCHASE.  YOU WILL "NOT" GET AN IMMEDIATE REFUND.** 

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All those terms in the listings are really absurd. Talk about getting carried away. Major league turnoff. And in all caps.  I would move on instantly.

OP: That is not good.

[kensgiftshop]

Maybe descriptions would cut down on returns.

One of your descriptions:

"CHECK OUT MY STORE FOR MANY OTHER COLLECTIBLES."

What does that tell the buyer about the item?

[a_dame_and_her_pets_collectibles]

what listing are you speaking of?  If you read the listing and look at photos I'm sure it gives a pretty good description.  Plus people don't read when the measurements are in there and just message us.

[a_dame_and_her_pets_collectibles]

Ok.  Gets the point across.  I'm not saying anything untrue.  So what's absurd.  BTW do you people sell anything?  The first few I looked up there were no listings at all.  Just wondering why people responding to these messages are selling anything but have so much to say in a negative way.  JS.

[lakefor94]

If you did not have that wall of all caps stipulations within your listings, you might be at 300 sales for the last 90 days rather than 175. Just sayin'. 

It was solid feedback to you. 

A lot of folks here don't use their seller ID's here on the boards. I declare that in my .sig as this is a Posting ID.

Best of sales to you when you come off vacation mode.

[a_dame_and_her_pets_collectibles]

Thanks for your great interest in my store.  Take a look at how many items I've sold since 2015.  For being a part-time thing, I think it's a great accomplishment compared to many others.  I have no issue with caps in my listing I'm not sure why you would.  It gets noticed.  I don't use caps anywhere else, obviously.  If you don't want to read, don't read.  If you have questions, ask questions.  People don't like my up-front nature, but it obviously works for most of the non-scammers.  Scammers tend to move on.  I'm happy with that.  Good luck to you.