Closing store reverting to no returns. Free returns is not worth TRS

[sparrow421]

Just want to throw my hat into this. I dealt with the constant changes to requirements for TRS but this one is just too far. Im not mad or anything just a little dissapointed. I put a lot of effort into my store, making sure i always kept 100% positive feedback, but this new policy is going to attract major scammers. All because eBay wants to be more like Amazon.

I have been thinking of dropping the store for a while now anyways and this seems like a better time than any. So to all of those who are going to try to keep TRS, good luck!

(Yes this is an alt account, i dont make forum posts with my business account)

[castlemagicmemories]

If you check, you will see other threads like yours.  You are not alone.

Anyway, good luck.

[chrysylys]

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@sparrow421 wrote:

Just want to throw my hat into this.

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[myboardid]

You don't have to have a store to be a TRS, nor do you have to be a TRS to have a store.  You should make a decision about each separately. 

The free returns thing should be a mathematical decision.  Ask yourself these questions - How many returns do you normally have in a year?  How many do you think will happen if you offer free returns? Make an honest assesment of these, don't just make up  numbers.  How much would it cost you in dollars if you pay for these returns?  Then, how much do you get as a TRS FVF discount (roughly 1% of your annual sales)?  Compare them to help make your decisions. 

[margies_deals]

The concern is whether this will attract more returns since the buyer no longer has to pay for shipping them back. I think it likely will. And it will probably attract returns for items have been partially used/worn. I will not be making this change.

[fern*wood]

I have gone along with every hoop placed before me, but now I'm done jumping.  I wasn't one of those sellers that cheated for the discount by offering a return policy but adding the caveat that only for not as described.  I did it properly, but I will not offer free returns. 

[rainbowcolorz]

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@myboardid wrote:

You don't have to have a store to be a TRS, nor do you have to be a TRS to have a store.  You should make a decision about each separately. 

The free returns thing should be a mathematical decision.  Ask yourself these questions - How many returns do you normally have in a year?  How many do you think will happen if you offer free returns? Make an honest assesment of these, don't just make up  numbers.  How much would it cost you in dollars if you pay for these returns?  Then, how much do you get as a TRS FVF discount (roughly 1% of your annual sales)?  Compare them to help make your decisions. 

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Do these Exceptions mean sellers who list in the jewelery or clothing categories don't have to offer free returns in order to keep their TRS status and yellow badge?

Exceptions

30-day free returns is required for most categories, but there are exceptions in select categories.

You will be required to offer 30-day returns in the following categories to be eligible to receive Top Rated Plus benefits:

• Parts & Accessories
• Musical Instruments & Gear
• Listings with Freight Shipping Specified
• Media

You will be required to offer 14-day free returns in Products in Collectibles & Art categories to be eligible to receive Top Rated Plus benefits.

You are not required to offer free returns in some existing categories to receive Top Rated Plus benefits. We will expand this exception to include the following categories:

• Prepaid Phone Cards
• Virtual Currency

[nobody*s_perfect]

Returns are not required for TRS status.

For TR-Plus, the only exceptions to the free returns requirements are the categories listed, which do not include Clothing and Jewelry.  So listings in Clothing and Jewelry will be required to offer 30-day free returns in order to have the yellow TR-Plus badge.

[ogle]

I not only closed my store but also removed all my items for sale as a seller I am tired of being treated like **bleep** by ebay. Every year ebay takes more away from the sellers it is not worth the trouble there is other places to sell .

[ymeagainlord]

Tbh I very rarely have ANY returns anyway, but I'm, like others, just sick and tired of the constant push push to act like megastores. I'll still offer returns, 14 day where I can and 30 day where I have to NO GD, NO Free Returns AND 2 day handling.

eta: and I bet it doesn't make ONE scrap of difference to my so called "visibility" or sales.

[mikeystoyz]

I have even gone one step further.  I am changing all my 1-day shipping to 3-day shipping.  I am not going to go gray trying to keep up with each and everything you need to in order to get 30 dollars off your bill at the end of the month.  I do the donation thing on some of my auctions and that mitigates a couple dollars here and there which is nice.  Other then that I dont sell enough to keep jumping through hoops.

[tunicaslot]

Knock on wood - I don't get many returns even tho I sell mostly clothes - but I've had 2 this month already that were due to fit - the buyers didn't read the measurements. Granted they do pay for the returns now - but that wouldn't be the case if I offered free returns and I would expect that to rise if I did offer it.

It's very upsetting to see all the backlash from sellers on Facebook, youtube comments and even downdetector concerning not only the Free Returns policy but also the glitches that have been known for years and not fixed. Many are leaving for sites with easier policies and less site intervention. Many buyers have voiced their concerns also about the glitches and how hard it is to find what they are looking for on Ebay.

Ebay still has a good thing going - but tends not to listen to those who use the site but trying to keep up with what everyone else is doing. Don't ruin a good thing Ebay - you have a lot of us who still love the site and want to do business here - but even our patience is being tested.

[tamaralea]

@tunicaslot How much would those two returns cost you?  $14?  Do you sell $1400 per month?

[keziak]

The problem is whether 2 returns now will morph into significantly more when customers can return for free. I sell books and what could be easier than to buy a book, read it, and return at no charge for a refund? Or buy a DVD and watch it, then return. Etc.

[ymeagainlord]

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@mikeystoyz wrote:

I have even gone one step further.  I am changing all my 1-day shipping to 3-day shipping.  I am not going to go gray trying to keep up with each and everything you need to in order to get 30 dollars off your bill at the end of the month.  I do the donation thing on some of my auctions and that mitigates a couple dollars here and there which is nice.  Other then that I dont sell enough to keep jumping through hoops.

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I'll probably still ship in 1 day when I can and sometimes same day like I do now, but it will be nice if I come home tired from working graveyard and know I can just fall into bed instead of packing = )