Buyers getting around "no return accepted"

[ktcreations]

this is becoming a real problemand I know I'm not the only seller.  Latley I've had alot of buyers claiming issues with items and it seems the be almost word for word in each complaint,  "funny smell" and when you ask the buyer to explain, they just reply "funny smell".  I know I'm not the only seller with this issue,  I go to great lengths to protect my items, I've even started smellin all of my shipping supplies as I'm boxing up items and having a second person to check behind me.  I know,  paranoid, but I feel like I'm loosing my mind and complaining to ebay seems like its falling on deaf ears.  And now, buyers can leave negative feedback for sellers, but sellers can't leave it for buyers!?  How are sellers supposed to help protect one another!?!?  What is the deal! 

[handyhandz4u]

My personal opinion about returns is to allow them. But instead of doing free shipping, add shipping and do free returns. It somehow sells better from my experience. And not having returns as you said, people can find a way around that. If you get an item back not the way you shipped eBay lets you do a partial refund. 

[maros9416]

No returns is a myth.  You actually get more luxuries and make more money by offering free returns. Unless it is an all out scam, the avg buyer doesn't  want to return their purchase. On the rare instance ( 1-3% of total sales  ) that someone does want to return the item, they can simply choose ' didn't like it ', rather than make a false claim and give you a defect as well. You can deduct up to 50% off the return if it isn't how you sent it, but you would have to be in the TRS program for that option...Returns have to exist in order to compete with all of the other online retailers. When eBay started returns, it was because eBay was known as a place where you buy something and then you're stuck with it. 

[jen_768395]

If you're getting a lot of complaints about odor, maybe it's not the buyers making false claims...

[pburn]

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@ktcreations wrote:

 And now, buyers can leave negative feedback for sellers, but sellers can't leave it for buyers!?

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"Now" is since 2008.

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@ktcreations wrote:

How are sellers supposed to help protect one another!?!?

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With the exception of auctions and offers made by buyers, sellers can't see a buyer's feedback until s/he makes a purchase--then it's too late to do anything about it. 

[maxine*j]

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Since "No Returns" means only that you do not accept returns based on buyer's remorse, when you make it your policy you invite people to make up reasons for not wanting the item. 

All "No Returns" means to eBay is that you don't want the item back if eBay has to intervene in a dispute.   

For those reasons, you might want to ditch the "No Returns" policy.

As for the "funny smell," perhaps the two negatives citing that were justified,  because cloth items can pick up smells during transit unless they're practically hermetically sealed.  

Sellers have unable to leave anything except positive feedback for buyers since 2008.  

[therogue-trader]

This is all very old news....

[caldreamer]

I had a potential buyer who wanted me to smell my item BEFORE making purchase.   I knew she was going to be a problem....so I BLOCKED her before she could purchase them.   I have found over the years that "fussy customers" are nothing but trouble.

No such things as "no returns".    When you don't allow returns...buyer will just lie and say "not as described or defective" and then you get stuck paying postage BOTH ways.

[fashunu4eeuh]

There is no way to warn other sellers about a buyer. Leaving anything other than a positive comment in Feedback for a buyer is a violation of eBay’s policy.

The risks in selling online cannot be avoided. So it is up to each seller to protect their own interests, and determine their own risk tolerance.

Your no return policy gets trumped be eBay policy. It is in your interests to not fight a return because the penalties eBay levels on you when you do are steep, when a customer forces one thru the Money Back Guarantee.

It’s not for everyone, but I offer free returns (and therefore can deduct up to 50% off a damaged return). But i so rarely get one, maybe one over a year or two, that free returns works for me. 

If you are getting multiple complaints over odors, likely the buyers are experiencing a genuine issue. 

[pburn]

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@caldreamer wrote:

I had a potential buyer who wanted me to smell my item BEFORE making purchase.

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eBay should definitely add a "scratch and sniff" option to item listings. 🤣

[monster-deals]

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@ktcreations wrote:

  How are sellers supposed to help protect one another!?!?  What is the deal! 

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Funny smells are not part of the MBG though ebay refuses to enforce that.

Ebay refuses to enforce a lot of their policies regarding protecting sellers.

Take the hit and move to the next fire.

[dosprompt]

Why isn't a bad smell "Not as described"? 

One of my biggest complaints is: not as described mold, mildew, cigarette stains or smoke odors on used items. 

[pburn]

@dosprompt 

Here's eBay's position as stated by a staff member in mid-2019. The post is lengthy, but it's worth reading not only the post, but the entire thread.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Has-anyone-read-ebay-s-perceived-quot-Summary-quot-from-the-eb...

Even after reading that thread again today, IMO, @monster-deals had it right when s/he said "Funny smells are not part of the MBG though ebay refuses to enforce that. Ebay refuses to enforce a lot of their policies regarding protecting sellers."

[powell-memorabilia]

Welcome to retail.  Have you ever been to Target and seen the wonderful customers returning items?  How about when they return something that is damaged?  Do you think that they don't get a refund from Target?  You don't think that someone can make up a crazy reason for a return?

[donsdetour]

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@ktcreations wrote:

this is becoming a real problemand I know I'm not the only seller.  Latley I've had alot of buyers claiming issues with items and it seems the be almost word for word in each complaint,  "funny smell" and when you ask the buyer to explain, they just reply "funny smell".  I know I'm not the only seller with this issue,  I go to great lengths to protect my items, I've even started smellin all of my shipping supplies as I'm boxing up items and having a second person to check behind me.  I know,  paranoid, but I feel like I'm loosing my mind and complaining to ebay seems like its falling on deaf ears.  And now, buyers can leave negative feedback for sellers, but sellers can't leave it for buyers!?  How are sellers supposed to help protect one another!?!?  What is the deal! 

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Buy selling on eBay you agree to the eBay buyer;s guarantee:

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy... 

No returns does not mean no refunds.