30 day free returns

[eastcoastmermaids]

Lately we have had issues with buyers keeping items for  close to 30 days and then sending the item back. In some cases the item has been worn or damaged. Is anyone else having this problem. Is there a solution?  We offer free 30 day returns. I understand the 14 day option is off of the table, but this 30 day deal is really is not a good option. Anyone have any suggestions???

[pjcdn2005]

If you offer free returns you are allowed to withhold up to 50% of the sale price if the item isn't returned in the same condition. Are you using that option? 

Based on what I've read, many clothing sellers have found that free returns does not work well for them. You have to decide whether having TRSplus is worth it...you may find that 30 day buyer paid returns works better for you. You would still retain TRS but you wouldn't get the badge or the discount.

[sharingtheland]

It's been a while (a year? 6 months?) since I tried free returns.  Since I have 2-day handling, I didn't do it for TRS+ but to see if it helped sales/placements in search.   

 I didn't use it on all of my listings so I could kind of see that it made no difference and I didn't see any benefit so I stopped doing it.

It wouldn't take more than a few free returns before I would wipe out any TRS+ discount on fees and I'm never going to 1-day handling, anyway.

[oldwestgold]

You have the option of 14 days or no returns. This was explained to me by an eBay CS rep a couple of days for the same issue.

[sharingtheland]

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@oldwestgold wrote:

You have the option of 14 days or no returns. This was explained to me by an eBay CS rep a couple of days for the same issue.

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Straight from the printed page, not a CS rep:

You can offer 14 day returns in the following categories:

• Collectibles & Art
• Digital Cameras
• Camera Drones
• Camera Lenses
• Medical & Mobility

[eastcoastmermaids]

I would rather do the 14 day with free returns. It inspires them to go on and send the item back if it doesn't work out, etc. I have thought about doing Buyer paid Returns, but quite frankly am afraid of receiving a negative.  I don't care about the Badge unless it puts me in the bottom rankings. The only  other reason I have kept 30 day free returns is because I was afraid it would put us in the bottom ranks and because a buyer can just up and leave a negative, I would definitely be afraid to take up to 50% off for the same reason. Fear of Retaliation. This year we are going to start reporting buyers. I actually have an item on the way back now, and if it's been worn or smells, I'm reporting it to eBay, unless God Forbid they have taken that option off too! 

Thanks for your input

[eastcoastmermaids]

So, I am curious. How do you deal with Buyers that get agitated that you don't have free returns? Do they leave you a negative? Do they threaten, etc. 

[fern*wood]

I've never offered free returns.  I've gotten negatives but don't recall any for specifically not offering free returns.  You have lots of feedback and I see no reason to fear negatives to such an extent that you end up losing money.

[mam98031]

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@eastcoastmermaids wrote:

So, I am curious. How do you deal with Buyers that get agitated that you don't have free returns? Do they leave you a negative? Do they threaten, etc. 

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What are they agitated about?  That would be the place to start.

Free Returns is the same thing as 30 or 60 day returns with seller pays shipping.  Which has been options for return policies for a long long time.  Ebay just started calling it Free Returns about a year ago.  Sellers that offer one of these policies then allows a buyer to return an item for any reason and the seller always pays return shipping.

For sellers with 30 or 60 day returns with buyer pays shipping or a No Return policy.  If the buyer selects a Buyer's remorse reason, then the buyer pays return shipping [those with a no return policy can deny a BR claim].  But under ALL types of return policies without exception if the buyer files a SNAD, the seller is paying for return shipping.

So what is it that your buyers are concerned about??

Threatening to damage your FB is a breach of policy and the buyer can get in trouble for that and you can have the FB removed.

[1tuna]

I offer all that ebay wants out of me .most buyers have realized a long time ago that return policies are useless.

INAD will trump all and they know it.whats the big deal.....not much if you were in my position

I found out recently that all TRS have  a shield against negs happening.they roll off once a week.I have had 6 roll off this year.I said a word to know one.now I know why.one poster would not stop talking about the hundreds of negs scrubbed weekly from the big sneaker co.this was a revelation for me.seller protection against negs

you should give it a try.put that forcefield up and "then play on"

[mam98031]

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@1tuna wrote:

I offer all that ebay wants out of me .most buyers have realized a long time ago that return policies are useless.

INAD will trump all and they know it.whats the big deal.....not much if you were in my position

I found out recently that all TRS have  a shield against negs happening.they roll off once a week.I have had 6 roll off this year.I said a word to know one.now I know why.one poster would not stop talking about the hundreds of negs scrubbed weekly from the big sneaker co.this was a revelation for me.seller protection against negs

you should give it a try.put that forcefield up and "then play on"

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NO TRS does not currently have that protection.  Not until after October 1st.

What you do have if you offer Free Returns, then you have that protection right now.  

Also for Power Sellers the one perk still around is that buyer's can't leave a negative or neutral FB within a week of the purchase.

[eastcoastmermaids]

Thank you for your input! Appreciate it! 

[eastcoastmermaids]

Thanks for your input since the time of this writing. Ebay has come out with what looks like some better policies, so I feel less fearful. There are just some buyers that take advantage, but I've grown a backbone lately, so I think it's going to be okay. Thanks again 

[chapeau-noir]

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@eastcoastmermaids wrote:

Thanks for your input since the time of this writing. Ebay has come out with what looks like some better policies, so I feel less fearful. There are just some buyers that take advantage, but I've grown a backbone lately, so I think it's going to be okay. Thanks again

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I just want to offer this going forward - never base your decisions, business model, anything, on what a very small percentage of people MIGHT do.  Not only is it inefficient, but you're (collectively) basing your operation on a negative model.  I personally also think it attracts negative experiences, similar to having a negative world view.

(edited for wrong quote)

[eastcoastmermaids]

Absolutely! The Law of Attraction! I've got to start being more positive I know better too, I need to get my head back on straight! Thanks you just made my day!