Automatic Return Approvals

[yourpet]

As a Seller that provides free return shipping, I can understand Ebay's policy on issuing a Buyer an automatic return approval (don't like it) when a Buyer states an item doesn't meet description and/or item doesn't work.  What I don't understand is how Ebay thinks they have the right to automatically send a return shipping label to the Buyer, before the Seller can determine if  they want to incur additional shipping expenses to ship an item back, or to simply provide a full refund to the Buyer and not require the Buyer to go thru the hassle of shipping the item back.  In certain situations, the Seller will want to have the item shipped back, however, in some cases depending on the price of the item  andcost of shipping, the Seller may not want to have the item returned.  When Ebay sends a Seller an automaitc approval for the return, the Seller is autonatically charged agasint their account.  The Seller should have the option to decide if they want to incur the return shipping expenses or simply refund the money.  If the Seller decides not to incur the additional shipping expenses, the Seller can simply notify Ebay they want to provide a full refund and not to generate a shipping label.  This process could very easily be programeed to stop a label from being generated when the Seller issues the refund.  This can also be tied to a time frame that requires the Seller to respond within a certain period or the return shipping label is then automatically issued to the Buyer.   It is unfair that the Seller doesn't have the right  or opportunity to decide if a shipping label should be generated and stop incurring additional expenses on the item, by simply eliminating the shipping label and provide a full refund.  Ebay has the right to have a policy for issuing an automatic approval for cerrtain situations, however, they don't have the right to play with the Seller's money.  Of course it also advantages to Ebay to issue a shipping label, with out input from the Seller, as they make money on each shipping label.      

[glasser]

Totally agree.

 eBay could easily automate this very common business issue. The decision to do as you state and issue a refund without seeking merchandise return is quite common. I have had it happen on Amazon even.

Refunds area cost center for most sellers ( eBay and non-eBay) so better management of that process works for everyone. As buyers really don't want to be hassled with re-packaging and possible trip to the PO either.

Very simple process to implement. Could even be a function where as seller you get asked that question or you can say issue a label for all refunds. Or maybe even add to the listing function the option to issue a refund without return ( of course not shown to buyers).

This yet another case of eBay not really understanding the needs of sellers. Most rules are made for buyers. My sense is that eBay does not listen to sellers like they did in the early days.

Hope some eBay employ reads you thread and listens. Would have to be someone who actually understands the seller experience so that is doubtful.

This

[teth_1615]

Um, eBay did not make the decision -- you did.

[48hrs-clothing]

eBay's offers to provide a service that benefits both sellers and buyers by automatically sending a pre paid return label for all returns that are not remorse.

Case of INAD will automatically generate a pre paid address return label.

Seller only received an invoice/ charge to his account when item is delivered back to seller.

In my experience in UK there are a number of advantages 

1: Buyer can not send item to wrong address as address on label is generated by eBay.

2: Tracking is guaranteed 

3: Cost of label is less that I would pay directly to Royal mail for the exact same service.

4: Buyer does not have to pay and then claim the amount from seller.

5: No disputes or conversation between seller and buyer regarding return post.

If seller does not want the item back then as soon as case is opened seller can issue a full refund and case will close. No need to contact eBay or buyer as case is now closed and buyer can not get the label as case must be active for buyer to print return address label.

Buyer can leave his home to send the item back 2 minutes after return was approved and in INAD cases Seller is responsible for return postage cost and it can not be right that sellers or eBay determine earliest date that a buyer can post the item back.

For what it is worth for me eBay providing a pre paid address label on INAD cases is perfect solution and avoids lots of possible problems.

[bigdeals.etc]

What you are suggesting actually isn't "Automatic Return Approvals" in it's truest sense. You're speaking more of a hybrid system of automatic and manual.

From what I know in automated returns, ebay allows you to set it so it either automatically refunds (buyer keeps item) or automatically accept and issue return postage for every buyer who files a return with you. But I understand that isn't what you are asking for. Ebay doesn't have the option for you to set rules or pick and choose which listings fall under your automated returns or not... it's all or nothing.

I do agree however that it'd be nice to have some sort of hybrid where you can set rules to allow for seller approval for certain returns for issuing return postage or a straight refund. But as of right now, the only way for you to have this choice is to turn off automated returns completely.

[auto_manuals_and_more]

The only thing I have ever found as a work around for this insanely annoying glitch is to add "Require RMA"

under my ebay-> return preferences. Scroll down to the bottom.

It doesn't stop eBay from automatically approving the SNAD returns, but does put a stop to the automatic return shipping label generation. 

I have stuff on a different account that I would choose to not require a return for a full refund, it just doesn't make sense to pay for the shipping both ways and then potentially *another* outbound shipping.

[2010*minky]

In my experience, sending a full refund upon first notification of a case opened does NOT stop ebay from sending them a return label.  For the last few times this happened, I included a message to the buyer, please DO NOT return the item, I don't want it back, here is all your money. Then a week later I get a package back and am charged the postage. I used to have the option to refund without asking for a return.  I wish they would change back to the earlier method!

[eunster1313]

(As a Seller that provides free return shipping, I can understand Ebay's policy on issuing a Buyer an automatic return approval (don't like it) when a Buyer states an item doesn't meet description and/or item doesn't work. What I don't understand is how Ebay thinks they have the right to automatically send a return shipping label to the Buyer, before the Seller can determine if they want to incur additional shipping expenses to ship an item back, or to simply provide a full refund to the Buyer and not require the Buyer to go thru the hassle of shipping the item back.)

2021 Spring Seller Update - Running Your Business

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/seller-updates/2021-spring/business.html 

[pjcdn2005]

As another poster suggested, if your preferences states that you want to provide an RMA ebay won't send the return label immediately.    Also, you mentioned that ebay charges for the return label when they sent it but they actually don't charge the seller for the label unless the buyer uses it so if you refund and the buyer doesn't send the item back, you won't be charged for the label.