eBay

grasscarp · ‎04-12-2022

So I have another customer who clearly did not read my item description before placing his order. Now almost a month later he wants to return it. No problem - I understand that many buyers are just too lazy to read the item description. Today I get the automatic approval from eBay for his return. Again, no problem. The problem that I do have is that eBay now gives the buyer 3 more weeks before he must put the item back into the mail to me. How far does eBay think his mailbox is from his house? Asking for a friend!

mr_lincoln · ‎04-12-2022

@grasscarp Giving Buyer's more time to return their items "enhances the Buying experience" ... that being said, on rare occasions Buyers forget to return an item or something happens and they are unable to.

I had one return where this happened last year ... the Buyer did not return the item so the case was closed in my favor when time expired.

Mr. L

Regards,
Mr. Lincoln - Community Mentor

cstpos · ‎04-12-2022

@grasscarpI agree! I have had a buyer open a return on day 29 after they received their item. I immediately send a return label. 3 days after cut off date for them to ship the item back to me and ebay says I can't close a return "early". Another week goes by and they finally ship it back to me.

So we could not list an expensive item for 2 months because the buyer ordered the wrong thing.

Within minutes of the item being delivered back to us, we were receiving multiple "issue the refund" messages from ebay.

I do wish ebay would look at their policies and how they affect sellers. If I was looking to buy an item, 2 weeks to return versus 4 weeks would not be a deciding factor for me. I'm sure if they gave buyers 4 months, that's how long some would wait to send an item back.

donsdetour · ‎04-12-2022

If purchasing using a phone: the description is not shown unless clicked on.

This is a major part of such problems.

mtgraves7984 · ‎04-12-2022

Asking for a friend!

@grasscarp

I feel for your friend. Earlier this year, I had a Return opened after 28 days and the buyer waited 21 more to mail it back. 😖

grasscarp · ‎04-12-2022

True, but why do people not click on "description" and read it? Don't thy want to know what they are buying?

Maybe they don't know about the "click"? This may be a real issue.

I think it has become too easy for a buyer to return an item and maybe that is why some buyers order too quickly. Some folks just order from their glance of a photo. Who knows?

Maybe I am missing something here. Sorry. But it costs me $$$$$

Thanks for your response

m60driver · ‎04-12-2022

@grasscarp wrote:
So I have another customer who clearly did not read my item description before placing his order. \

In this country people do not read, nor do not think independently. And this is one of the main reasons why the USA has become a grifter's paradise.

pburn · ‎04-12-2022

If a seller's business hinges on the listing, purchase, return, and/or relisting of one item, said seller may consider investing in additional inventory.

Selling is a business. Buying isn't. The two should not be equated as being equal and should not be treated as such. eBay (for the 10,000th time) is a buyer-centric platform. The sooner sellers accept this reality, the better off everyone will be.

Is it frustrating? Perhaps, but that's the nature of online marketplace selling. If one finds it too stressful, discouraging, irritating or disappointing, perhaps other venues like flea markets, tag sales or similar in-person selling options would be more suitable.

silverstatetreasureboxes · ‎04-12-2022

@grasscarp

Maybe ebay needs a school for buyers. Your right, they don't read descriptions and if they don't like their purchase or the color it is or even the tape you use back it goes to the seller.

I'm glad I'm a responsible buyer on ebay. I look at fb left for others, their location, all pictures, and the entire description. I than either hit the back button or buy. Usually I'm 99.9% happy, if not it's on me not the seller.

dentalsales4u · ‎04-12-2022

I feel your pain.

I've had my share of returns in the last 30 days.

One didn't read the description, therefore, item wouldn't work for them. Shipped new and sealed in 4 boxes. Received back with it all packed in one large box.

Another 3 buyers used the product for almost the entire month and decided they didn't like the product and opened a return. In this case, I have 3 items costing a total of almost $5,000 that the buyers opened a new sealed product, used and then wants to return because they don't like it.

I can deduct a portion of the refund and I do report for abusing the MBG since they are suppose to return in the same condition as received.

I send the return labels and everyone of them have taken a couple more weeks before they finally returned.

It's been over a month and I still have 3 that haven't been received back yet.

It's getting ridiculous waiting on returns.

dnasilver · ‎04-12-2022

Unless you are a service-based business, buying is most definitely a business. You would have nothing to sell if you first did not buy it or inherit it of which the deceased certainly did buy.

mr_lincoln · ‎04-12-2022

@grasscarp wrote:
True, but why do people not click on "description" and read it? Don't thy want to know what they are buying?

Maybe they don't know about the "click"? This may be a real issue.

I think it has become too easy for a buyer to return an item and maybe that is why some buyers order too quickly. Some folks just order from their glance of a photo. Who knows?

Maybe I am missing something here. Sorry. But it costs me $$$$$

Thanks for your response

Your point on Buyers not reading the Description @grasscarp is a good one. THE most frequent question I get from Buyers is, " ... do you combine shipping?" Well, I keep my Descriptions accurate and concise AND they ALL end with "Questions welcome. Shipping is combined." (or "Shipping is combined when economical" on larger items).

I use the same font and text size throughout ... maybe I should start making that shipping statement larger, huh?!?

Regards,
Mr. Lincoln - Community Mentor

grasscarp · ‎04-12-2022

@pburn wrote:
If a seller's business hinges on the listing, purchase, return, and/or relisting of one item, said seller may consider investing in additional inventory.

Selling is a business. Buying isn't. The two should not be equated as being equal and should not be treated as such. eBay (for the 10,000th time) is a buyer-centric platform. The sooner sellers accept this reality, the better off everyone will be.

Is it frustrating? Perhaps, but that's the nature of online marketplace selling. If one finds it too stressful, discouraging, irritating or disappointing, perhaps other venues like flea markets, tag sales or similar in-person selling options would be more suitable.

My complaint is not "hinging" on anything. I did not "equate" anything. I am not "too stressed, etc". I simply ask why does eBay give someone 3 weeks to return an item after keeping it for 3 weeks? Thanks for your response (and advice) anyway. Have a great day!

wrong66 · ‎04-12-2022

Yes, it is a terrible policy. Because the buyer is initiating the refund, they should have something like 3-5 days to return the item, if that long. Three weeks is a joke.