Buyers returning items for no valid reason

[josiejoy13]

Has anyone else noticed that more and more buyers are requesting returns without valid reasons?  I have never had a return since I started selling on Ebay.  I have had 2 in less than a month. One buyer decided she didn't like the ring after almost 3 weeks, the other said the $35.00 earrings she purchased was too small after having them for 29 days. I know that is the cost of doing business on Ebay and I've since changed my return policy to 14 days.  I try to make my listings as accurate as possible and now it seems it doesn't matter and a buyer can return an item for any reason that suits them. I feel that Ebay has made the return process much too broad and far too easy for buyers.

[shamrock454 · Accepted solution]

There is a growing group of buyers who will attempt a return on almost every purchase they make, just to see if you will refund them and let them keep the product. I believe you will find that if you respond and let them know there is no refund until you have inspected the returned item, you won't hear from them again. They are just playing the game of averages. An easy way to spot them is that they will typically message you rather than initiate a return. When you tell them to go through the proper channel and request a return, they just move on.

Good luck.

[josiejoy13]

Thank you for that information, I almost refunded without having the item returned.

[ckimodog]

@josiejoy13 

Yes, it seems to be on the rise, especially with the MBG. (money back guarantee).  Buyers don't need a reason either.

As a fellow seller, I'd like to be suggestive.  You really should accept returns and pay for the return shipping.

You've received 2 returns which more than likely the buyer is not only going to get their money back, they are not obligated to return the item, since you don't accept them.  So the buyer gets their money back and keep your item as well.  There are a lot of dishonest buyers out there that know how to play the game and work the system to their advantage.  Don't set yourself up for it.  Change those listings to what I have suggested or be ready for more returns.  

Not trying to be pessimistic here only stating the facts because this is what will happen.

Best of luck with future sales. 

[kensgiftshop]

@josiejoy13 

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

[printpeople]

I used to know a guy that would return nearly everything he bought.  He would use for what he needed, then return.  He would buy a desk chair, use it for a while, return it, and do the same with another.  If he needed a tool, he’d buy it, use it, return it.  I gave him an earful about that, because it’s really not honest.  I haven’t seen him in many years, but he’s probably still doing it wherever he is.

I’m thinking some eBay buyers may do that too.  Buy for a special occasion, use, return with free return shipping…. Or, like others mentioned, realize that a lot of the sellers will just tell them not to bother returning

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi, on eBay, in practice, buyers don’t need a reason to get a return. The platform is buyer-centric and is as such because eBay watches over their interests first and foremost. And the trend in retail is leaning towards easy returns. Buyers have come to expect it.

There is another reason to have returns. In order to avoid bogus Money Back Guarantee cases opened, i go the distance and offer free returns. So far, this has not increased my return rate. I get maybe one per year on average. But i do it this way (and have for years) to keep happy buyers, and protect my metrics. These costs are built into my prices. 

On eBay, having a generous 30-day return policy helps protect my account from those who will claim Not As Described just in order to get free return shipping. So i give them that upfront. They don’t need a reason to make a return.

Free returns isn’t for everyone, but it works for me.

[pjcdn2005]

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@ckimodog wrote:

@josiejoy13 

Yes, it seems to be on the rise, especially with the MBG. (money back guarantee).  Buyers don't need a reason either.

As a fellow seller, I'd like to be suggestive.  You really should accept returns and pay for the return shipping.

You've received 2 returns which more than likely the buyer is not only going to get their money back, they are not obligated to return the item, since you don't accept them.  So the buyer gets their money back and keep your item as well.  There are a lot of dishonest buyers out there that know how to play the game and work the system to their advantage.  Don't set yourself up for it.  Change those listings to what I have suggested or be ready for more returns.  

Not trying to be pessimistic here only stating the facts because this is what will happen.

Best of luck with future sales. 

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My impression is that the op does accept returns.  But even if they do not accept returns your comment about a buyer not having to return because of a no return policy is incorrect.  A no returns seller  still has the option of accepting the return and refunding once they have received the item back.  If they ignore the buyer and ebay is asked to step in,  they may not receive the item back. That would be true whether or not the seller had a return policy.

[downunder-61]

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@printpeople wrote:

I used to know a guy that would return nearly everything he bought.  He would use for what he needed, then return.  He would buy a desk chair, use it for a while, return it, and do the same with another.  If he needed a tool, he’d buy it, use it, return it.  I gave him an earful about that, because it’s really not honest.  I haven’t seen him in many years, but he’s probably still doing it wherever he is.

I’m thinking some eBay buyers may do that too.  Buy for a special occasion, use, return with free return shipping…. Or, like others mentioned, realize that a lot of the sellers will just tell them not to bother returning

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I always wonder about book sellers.......... how many people read a book then return it using a false INAD