Any protection for fake "not as described" returns?

[msmsales]

So I am trying to figure out what I can do here.  I am sure this has been discussed, but what you can you do about folks who just buy an item to try it out.  I have sold a headphone amp twice and had it returned both times.  Thankfully it worked fine upon return both times, but I feel like it just cost me $40 for people to try something out then foot me with shipping cost.  I am sure this is getting tough in the free shipping world, but I am debating stopping selling altogether.  This is to make money not cost me more, and is 100% just so I can buy new toys.  I have a day job so it is not my business by any means.  

My question is this.  Is there any way to prevent this, or is it just a cost of doing business?  I take a lot of pictures and try to describe everything well.  Would a video of an item working or something like that help?  I am good with paying for shipping if something arrives broken, but I am not her to pay for folks to try things out or if they just change their mind.  

[luckythewinner]

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@msmsales wrote:

Is there any way to prevent this, or is it just a cost of doing business? 

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No. Any buyer can return any item at any time by filing a fraudulent SNAD returns.

You are lucky you got them back both times. Either buyer could have returned an empty box and stolen them as well.

[krazzykats]

Raise the price to cover costs and expenses.  Or try selling locally.

I see another one, that is heavily used for more money than yours.

A buyer can return an item for any reason.

[msmsales]

So dumb question.  Why do folks still sell on here?  That seems like a huge risk if that is true.

[luckythewinner]

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@msmsales wrote:

So dumb question.  Why do folks still sell on here?  That seems like a huge risk if that is true.

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Because all buyers are not unethical thieves.

For instance ... you have 700+ feedback received as a buyer.

How many times did you lie and steal items from a seller?  I bet you haven't.

[mtgraves7984]

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@msmsales wrote:

So dumb question.  Why do folks still sell on here?  That seems like a huge risk if that is true.

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@msmsales 

No real question is a dumb question. Why? In my opinion, sellers know that eBay offers many, many eyeballs. 👀

[msmsales]

True.  If I do something dumb I just try to learn from it.  I also realize that the income here could mean a lot to a lot of people so I try to be careful with what I buy.  It does stink that I am kind of seeing that I need to charge more of be ready to lose things.  I really just do this so I can keep trying new audio gear.  I have purchased a few things that I didn't like, but I kept them and then resold them at a loss sometimes.  

[1tuna]

its called return abuse or as you said its the cost of doing business

my items ship for a flat rate of $5.50 and i have fee returns so its not so bad

all my items come back just the way they were sent

as others have said,  its a good thing they came back working

sometimes an item is just cursed or has bad luck, there is no special  reason and you cant prevent it.

hang in there

@msmsales 

[soh.maryl]

As of the 4th of February, you were also still selling on here.  Have you asked yourself why?  

[fashunu4eeuh]

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@msmsales wrote:

So dumb question.  Why do folks still sell on here?  That seems like a huge risk if that is true.

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In the 12 years i have sold here, never encountered a fraudulent buyer. But I don’t often sell things in high fraud categories like gaming and tech, tho some of my items are pricey. I just have more bang for my buck here. More buyers.