Automatic returns now in effect?

[lovemypommy]

(This is in regards to my other ID)

Just received a return request that was automatically approved...is this new? Have had a couple return requests in the recent past and this has never happened before as I have always had to choose an option to go forward with the request.

I checked to make sure I have my return choices on in my seller account and they're still in place (to only automatically return if return is $1 or less), so this is definitely a brand new process. Picture shown is the message I received.

PS-At least it wasn't a SNAD...also happy to have a 20% re-stocking fee in place(whew!)

[mikescuriouscurios]

  The worst thing about this is it does not give you an oportunity to communicate with the buyer before Ebay accepts the return. In the past if they said something wasn't working I have simply sent them a checklist of things to try and waited 24 hours, and in all but one case (when something really DID get damaged in shipping) they thanked me profusely and even often apologized and said it worked perfectly now and cancelled the return. With this automatic approval, I've gotten back 3 items in the last 10 days and in every case a simple user setup error was the whole problem. Now I'm stuck with 2 previously new, now un-sealed items that I can no longer sell as new (and in the third case not at all, since it is in a category that only accepts unused, unopened items.) Whereas if I had just had a chance to catch them before they were told to return it by Ebay, I could have both completed the sale, the buyer would have been thrilled and would not have had to wait for another item from another seller and I would not have had to refund good money for reasons of simple buyer stupidity.

  Ebay simply isn't experienced enough to know about and consider "STUPID USERS" as we used to call them in the software development industry (i.e. STUPID BUYERS in this case) . Yes, the same type that you would tell to reboot their computer with the big-red-switch and they'd turn the monitor on and off and whine that it still wasn't working. I'll bet NO one at Ebay ever touched a computer with a big red switch, let alone owned them! Ebay makes the process so easy to return that even a cave man can do it, so they just click the key rather than taking a second to think for themselves, that maybe they simply didn't follow directions. They don't even have to drive back to the Brick and Mortar store where they bought it and stand in line and then get stared down by a stern customer service rep. What's next? Lifetime guarantees on everything?

  I guess EBAY doesn't care because WE get stuck with the loss, and they just collect their FV fee from the next seller that the buyer purchases the item from AND THEY look like the good guys at OUR expense. If they're so concerned with buyer happiness, let THEM pay all the shipping fees for us to repair or replace buyer errors.

  A private shopping domain is looking better and better every day. And without the FV and listing fees you can undersell everyone on Ebay by ~10% and name your own return policies.

[chatsnoire]

I hear your pain!  Is there anywhere to complain/make suggestions to anyone at eBay?  I feel this policy was not thought through and am afraid that it is helping to destroy eBay.  So many good sellers may leave, but I actually fear that is eBays plan.  They love the sellers from China who offer cheap, mass produced goods and will auto accept returns, often letting buyers keep their items and be refunded.  It's a shame, this used to be a great place to sell.

[lookng2015]

I have VERY few returns, remorse or otherwise, so I'll worry about it when it happens.

[tadpoletrading]

I'm a new seller, taking things slow for now, as I learn (mostly reading posts) I decided to accept returns because I've read that it doesn't matter, because of Ebays 30 policy. It also seemed a way to build confidence in buyers. The few things I've sold, I've been lucky with great buyers. But now this? Now my question, what if you put in policy no returns to stop the automatic returns, but add in policy, to contact me with any issues to let me have a chance to make it right? Would eBay consider this a return policy anyway?  I plan on hitting it hard after the new year, want to change things around.  I describe every minute detail, tons of pics, but that doesn't seem to matter.

I know buyers don't always read everything (Ive been guilty of that) but when I've bought something I felt was not up to par, I look back and see, oops, my fault. Even once got matchbook covers in a regular envelope, one stamp..

Luckily my postman didn't jam them in, no damage.  But, I never left negative feedback. Like I said, I didn't read type of shipping. Now as a seller I get when shipping is a rip-off. Anyway, sorry about babbling. Back to question, would changing to no returns, but writing a blurb about making things right help?  Seems like nothing can stop unscroupulous buyers.  

[mikescuriouscurios]

I think Ebay is quickly going to discover how many unscrupulous buyers there really are. Ones who will buy just to wear something once, or copy a recording or use a specialty tool for one job and then send it back with a fake excuse and get to "borrow" it absolutely free. I for one intend to do everything I possibly can to avoid this.

  Did I read someone wrote and is it true, that if you list an item WITHOUT free shipping, that you do not need to refund any amount that was paid for shipping, only the listed price?! Is that true? If so I see a whole new movement coming to return to exaggerating shipping rates and lower the item price like back in the days when FV fees were only charged on the price not the shipping. I for one WILL be changing all my listings from free shipping over the next week to paid shipping plus a restocking fee which I have never done before. I don't care anymore if it does affect ranking, since 70% of my items are relatively unique anyway. The reduction in what I sale will be made up for in the reduction in free returns and the only ones who will be losing is The big E.

[chatsnoire]

Yes, it is true that the original shipping price will not be refunded, only the original cost to purchase. At least that is what I was told by a representative when something was automatically returned because it "was too big" "didn't fit" (even though measurements were provided, meaning it was as described0.   If you stated that buyer pays for return shipping then they also pay that amount.  This makes it better, but in that way that eBay has of strongarming sellers into doing things their way, if you don't offer free shipping, you are lower in the ranks of what pops up in "best match".

[jason_incognito]

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@lookng2015 wrote:
I have VERY few returns, remorse or otherwise, so I'll worry about it when it happens.

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the only problem with that is that by the time it gets so big as to effect you, it's too late. Buyer expect it and demand it.

[chatsnoire]

You are so so right!  The problems for eBay sellers all began when eBay decided it wanted to compete with ALL online sellers.  They did not take into account that eBay was a very unique market place (which is what made it such a success).  The changes they implemented, all meant to increase eBay shares, have proved detrimental to the sellers who were key to eBay's initial success.  eBay's niche was unique, vintage and antique items or otherwise collectible items.  These items are not mass produced and the majority were being sold by people, not corporations.  Free shipping, returns for any reason, buyer is always right, outrageous final value fees and now automatic returns, among other changes over the years, has led to quality sellers of unique items leaving and the creation of numerous other online auction sites where buyers are also going.  Who can forget when eBay would place ads in listings for similar items to sellers had listed with them, and the ads would take the buyer from the site?  Or how they allow mass sellers to misuse the term "vintage" and "antique" and they clog searches?  If you are not familiar with that, try a search for vintage 50s dress.  You will see immediately that out of the first 56 dresses that appear with the default "Best Match" are all but 2 are cheap repros, obviously mass produced and being sold in mass by the sellers.  Frustrating and a waste of time when you are looking for true vintage.  Then filter it to category  "women's vintage dresses"  (hopefully the buyers will know to to do that) and now 6 out of 36 are not vintage. This filtered search is much better than it was, but the way it was in the past drove away a lot of buyers.   I personally stopped searching for things I like to buy because it was ridiculous (same for Vintage shoes, vintage purses).   

[bjgerman]

I think we should start buying from China and start doing the same thing to sellers in China this way ebay loses all income from China therefore forcing them to change back to when they valued sellers that made them money, if we don't find some of these rare items certain buyers are looking for than they would have no reason to buy on ebay, I think we should start doing a little payback to ebay.

[flowerlady1994]

I'm not too bothered by the automatic return acceptance because I am pretty lenient in accepting refunds for pretty much any reason. What is making me mad is that they are sending the buyer a label to print and it is based on eBay's idea of how much the item weighs. I sent a sweater in a priority flat rate envelope to a buyer who returned it with the label eBay sent...8 oz first class mail. I did list it as first class but the weight I listed it at was 12 oz. It came back to me postage due through the post office. I don't list most items at the actual weight usually because I don't like to charge too much for shipping. I just want to shut off the automatic label.

Does anybody know how to do that?

[my_boston_baked_beans]

Honestly, if you are selling antiques that are both fragile and valuable it is not smart to except returns as these types of items can easily get damaged by poor to no attention by the buyer regarding packing for a safe return.  Therefore, 50% refunded for damages doesn't come close to the replacement/ repair. I can not afford to accept returns as a small seller and/or especially with antique items.

[goodluckselling]

It was part of the fall 2017 seller updates

http://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/seller-updates/2017-fall/returns.html

[cuteapples]

What a disaster this is going to be for so many.    

Everyone  is going to post no returns,   and Ebay is going to be knows as No Returns and that is going to hurt them.   

Amazon at least gave you 3 days to work on the return and it worked great but this policy stinks to high heaven.

[chatsnoire]

Greatly agree!  I have no problems with returns if I made a mistake in the listing.  Or I could offer a partial refund.  This automated returns policy is really the worst.  eBay should have just stayed in its niche where it did very well, instead of trying to become like all other online retailers.  Tragedy!

[rugged.laptops]

I find that true in my case. Just received a return request a few days ago (buyer's remorse - found a better price) and this was automatically approved with NO RESTOCKING FEE even though my return policy states 15% restocking fee. What's going on??