Abusive Returns

[outdoorbrands4less]

Buyer purchased a total of 43 items (swim trunks) from about 12 separate listings. Now is returning 30+ of those items (reasons: ordered by mistake, didn't like style, etc.). For example, buyer ordered 6 units of one style and is keeping 3 while returning the other 3; ordered 4 of another style and is keeping 1, etc.

I offer free shipping and paid returns.  So it seems the buyer is just taking advantage of that and making purchases with the intent of returning.

How can something like this be avoided?

[tdumonde2014 · Accepted solution]

Limit the number of items a buyer can purchase in a set time period.

[cordell1]

Stop offering free shipping.  I did free shipping for a year and received so many returns that I lost money.  No more free shipping here!  I still make sales and have few returns.

[albertabrightalberta]

When a seller has a return policy, taking advantage of that return policy isn't "abusive." 

[buzzapparel]

Are you ever helpful? No matter the policy it’s still abuse. You don’t comprehend this?

[kensgiftshop]

@outdoorbrands4less 

If you accept returns, buyers can return for any or no reason.

You're lucky they chose remorse reasons and not stuck you paying return shipping.

[gwens*4saleitems*]

I'm sure you read the Original Post !?!? He/She said they offer Free Shipping and PAID RETURNS. 

That screams free returns to me.

However, the buyer is the problem, not the sellers return policy.

[mtgraves7984]

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@gwens*4saleitems* wrote:

I'm sure you read the Original Post !?!? He/She said they offer Free Shipping and PAID RETURNS. 

That screams free returns to me.

However, the buyer is the problem, not the sellers return policy.

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The OP offers 30-Day (Buyer Paid) Returns. Ken is correct... remorse reasons means no return shipping cost to the OP.

[jscar59]

Maybe he/she bought them for resale and now it is the end of the season and

they are getting their original investment back. Great way to stock your seasonal

merchandise in a brick and mortar store. .......however dishonest though.

[titipeo]

A lot of mayor big box retailers advertise you can order online and return what you don't like or doesn't fit. Heck my +1 does his at lot, orders several items with different color/size, and return the ones she doesn't like. We all know how one brand SMALL might run a bit smaller/large than another brand SMALL. Your buyer might just be doing that. 

Personally I feel that wearing apparel and footwear is one of those items that should be best bought in person, to check on sizing.

[auctionairecorp]

This buyer is likely doing it to a lot of other sellers on eBay as well but eBay doesn't care they don't point that out when you dispute it with them . eBay  took away all the feedback that the sellers used to be able to give and gave buyers 400% more feedback,  those Stars.

EBay makes a lot of money on those return shipping labels Google that on places like ecommercebytes so they're square with the deal they love it

EBay is a Terribly flawed Marketplace 4 sellers.

[fashunu4eeuh]

FYI There are rules about returning multiple items. It depends on the transaction, see below:

 https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/returns-refunds/return-item-refund?id=4041

Can I return more than one item from my order?
Depending on the listing, you can return one item or multiple items. Here are your options:

• Lots, sets, and bundled items – You need to return the entire quantity of the order. For example, if you bought a set of paintbrushes you can't return just one of them.

• Multi-quantity listings – You can return any quantity of your purchased items. For example, you selected a quantity of five t-shirts at checkout. You can return some or all of them, but you only have one opportunity to do so. If you choose to return two t-shirts, you can't return the other three later.

• Multiple listings from the same seller – You can return each item. For example, you buy three books that the seller listed individually, but you paid for all of them at once at checkout. You can return each book individually.

[katzrul15]

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@outdoorbrands4less wrote:

Buyer purchased a total of 43 items (swim trunks) from about 12 separate listings. Now is returning 30+ of those items (reasons: ordered by mistake, didn't like style, etc.). For example, buyer ordered 6 units of one style and is keeping 3 while returning the other 3; ordered 4 of another style and is keeping 1, etc.

I offer free shipping and paid returns.  So it seems the buyer is just taking advantage of that and making purchases with the intent of returning.

How can something like this be avoided?

---

If you had offered FREE returns vs your 30-day Buyer pays to return policy, then your Buyer could be considered to be taking advantage of your shipping policies. 

Free shipping is only FREE to the Buyer, not the Seller.  Did you not build the cost of that into the overall price to sell the item for FREE shipping?  If they bought multiples at the same time - did you use a flat rate box, etc to mitigate the shipping or is that the rub?  Multiples purchased by a Buyer at the same time should have "saved" you money on these transactions vs having to ship 43 items separately, which would absolutely cost you more overall.

If the Buyer is returning on their dime and the items are not worn, still NWTs, I guess I am not understanding what the issue(s) is/are?   Just unhappy that the Buyer is returning?  How long ago did they buy the items?  Are they within the 30 day window for returns?  If yes, then I again am not certain why there is an issue?

It is the end of summer, but  if this is within 30 days or less, 42 swim trunks were sold well past "summer" anyway, etc.  I would be ecstatic they did not file for SNADs and were honest about the "reason" for the returns.

[katzrul15]

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@fashunu4eeuh wrote:

FYI There are rules about returning multiple items. It depends on the transaction, see below:

 https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/returns-refunds/return-item-refund?id=4041

Can I return more than one item from my order?
Depending on the listing, you can return one item or multiple items. Here are your options:

• Lots, sets, and bundled items – You need to return the entire quantity of the order. For example, if you bought a set of paintbrushes you can't return just one of them.

• Multi-quantity listings – You can return any quantity of your purchased items. For example, you selected a quantity of five t-shirts at checkout. You can return some or all of them, but you only have one opportunity to do so. If you choose to return two t-shirts, you can't return the other three later.

• Multiple listings from the same seller – You can return each item. For example, you buy three books that the seller listed individually, but you paid for all of them at once at checkout. You can return each book individually.

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@outdoorbrands4less 

OP - would bookmark this ^^^^^ and/or change Buyer limits for the number than can be purchased in a 7 day period.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

There are those who have buying issues like a drug addict needing a fix! People buy, get the fix and when the merchandise comes and / or bill, they return.

Buying that many listings was not a mistake! Buyer bought, paid, and received. Now the joy is over!

Who needs 43 pairs of swimming trunks? This is the type of issue that eBay needs to keep metrics on for abusive buyers. 

Seller setting limit on purchases is a good idea as posted by another.