eBay gives the buyers 3 weeks period to return an item that costs $300 a day to rent.

[camera4allstore]

I’ve been selling on eBay for 24 years, and I’m growing increasingly frustrated with eBay’s overly generous return policies favoring buyers. Recently, I sold a $2K camera lens to a buyer who clearly didn’t understand what he was purchasing. Before he placed the order, I explicitly warned him that 4K cameras require 4K lenses and that the lens he was buying was an HD lens, not 4K. Despite this, he went ahead with the purchase. Now, he’s opened a return request, which I approved immediately, but eBay is giving him a full three weeks to return the lens he mistakenly bought.

Why give someone so much time to return such an expensive item, especially one that costs $300 a day to rent? He will likely continue using it for the next three weeks, as has happened many times before, saving thousands on rental fees. A similar situation occurred just two months ago with a $6K camera. The buyer held onto it for two weeks before finally dropping it off at the post office. That camera rents for $500 a day.

If a buyer is unhappy with their purchase, why give them so much time for a return? I believe three days is more than enough to drop the item off at the post office so we can both move on with our business.

[simba6]

It's risky to sell such high value items.

[772gammy]

I agree 100% with you.  I have had the same thing happen to me in the past with tools, they used it for what they needed then returned.  Not sure why the 3 weeks is allowed especially since the buyer is emailed a postage paid return label.

[house*of*paws]

Hi @camera4allstore 

eBay extended the time allowed a buyer to return an item during the pandemic lockdowns … and has never changed it back.  [I think it used to be around 5 days.]

I don’t know why eBay still allows 3 weeks to return, as buyers no longer need that much time.

[jjddmwi]

100% agree!  Ridiculous amount of time given to the buyer.

[slyders_finds]

Maybe start a rental biz? 😉

[dolcetreasures]

It is crazy. The one-size-fits-all approach here speaks volumes of a fundamental lack of discernment. 

[stuff4divas]

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@house*of*paws wrote:

Hi @camera4allstore 

eBay extended the time allowed a buyer to return an item during the pandemic lockdowns … and has never changed it back.  [I think it used to be around 5 days.]

I don’t know why eBay still allows 3 weeks to return, as buyers no longer need that much time.

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kyle@ebay  is this true?

[stainlessenginecovers]

In reality this site is simply doing what most all B/M stores do. Target, Walmart, Home Depot etc...you can 'borrow' their Jacket, Shoes, Cordless Drill, TV etc and keep it for 29 days (89 at Walmart) and then 'return' it for full refund. 

It got so bad that stores like Best Buy would NOT allow a TV to be returned AFTER the Super Bowl if purchased 30 days Prior to the Super Bowl.

[kensgiftshop]

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@stuff4divas wrote:

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@house*of*paws wrote:

Hi @camera4allstore 

eBay extended the time allowed a buyer to return an item during the pandemic lockdowns … and has never changed it back.  [I think it used to be around 5 days.]

I don’t know why eBay still allows 3 weeks to return, as buyers no longer need that much time.

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kyle@ebay  is this true?

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What part?

A few years ago, they only had 5 days to get a return shipped back and now it's like whenever they get around to it.

[dolcetreasures]

100% true. Recently had a buyer open a return on day 29 eBay gave them literally an additional 21 days to print the label for return. The return ended up coming 19 days later for a total of 48 days from when the return was opened. What the Hell type of retail is that? 30 days means 30 days. Not here…

[zgnisaer]

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@stuff4divas wrote:

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@house*of*paws wrote:

Hi @camera4allstore 

eBay extended the time allowed a buyer to return an item during the pandemic lockdowns … and has never changed it back.  [I think it used to be around 5 days.]

I don’t know why eBay still allows 3 weeks to return, as buyers no longer need that much time. 

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kyle@ebay  is this true? 

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Pre-pandemic it was 15 business days.

Post-pandemic it is still 15 business days.

Not sure why the confusion, that eBay has any increased return timing to "change it back" at all?

[house*of*paws]

@zgnisaer  

I distinctly remember being given less than a week to return an item prior to the pandemic.  Anyone else?

[kyle@ebay]

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@stuff4divas wrote:

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@house*of*paws wrote:

Hi @camera4allstore 

eBay extended the time allowed a buyer to return an item during the pandemic lockdowns … and has never changed it back.  [I think it used to be around 5 days.]

I don’t know why eBay still allows 3 weeks to return, as buyers no longer need that much time.

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kyle@ebay  is this true?

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Hey @stuff4divas that was true for certain situations.  Previously, a return could be closed after 5 business days as long as there were no tracking scans and no communication from the buyer.  That policy was revamped when the pandemic hit, and here is the help page that goes over the timeframes as they are today. 

[camera4allstore]

We all understand the current policy, which is why we are raising our concerns here. I hope you and your team can address this issue and reinstate the previous 5-day period for items to be dropped off at the post office. The new policy is being grossly abused by buyers. At the very least, the return timeframe should be based on the selling price—more expensive items should have shorter timeframes.