Discrimination Practices on eBay

[epicure1]

Discrimination: the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things

So that being said, I think Sellers are currently being discriminated on handling of refunds for returns.

In April, eBay announced that buyers have an extra 21 days to return - Sellers an extra 5 days to refund on delivery.

Now eBay is stating:

We've temporarily extended our returns timelines and adjusted our eBay Money Back Guarantee policy to help you if you need to return an item during COVID-19.

You'll now have 10 business days from when a return is accepted or a shipping label is provided to you to send your item back.

As of July 1, 2020, you'll have 10 business days from when a return is accepted or a return shipping label is provided to you to send your item back.

For Sellers eBay is stating:

Return timelines

As of July 1, 2020, once tracking shows that the item has been successfully returned, you'll have 2 business days to inspect the item and issue a refund.

Most Sellers have their address for returns to another location, POB, packaging company etc for obvious reasons.  I now only pick up twice a week due to safety reasons of Covid-19.  So sellers are having to take a risk, or blindly refund hoping that the item is returned in the same condition or at all.  The 2 days is also, if you have a problem with return to contact eBay (and the right person).  eBay is stating they are helping customers due to Covid-19 on returns, but totally disregarding Sellers as people are at risk also.  This to me is discrimination, and we should be allowed a few extra days also.  As a Buyer they value my health & Safety, as a Seller they are disregarding my health & safety.

As of August 28 (4pm), there are 103,088 confirmed cases of  #Covid-19 in Houston/Harris County and 1,282 deaths. A total of 79,956 patients have recovered. Some that recovered has permanent damage to organs.

Maybe just Maybe someone from the right department at eBay will read this.

[epicure1]

???.  Why would you think that.

I don't drop ship, everything I sell is on hand.  Just like a UPS store, PO Box, I have them delivered there.  Why would you put your personal home address and personal information to customers.  On my packing slip I have a business phone number and return address which is both different from my personal. 

Most if not all online businesses do not use their home addresses.

[epicure1]

Well I am not screaming.  But Discrimination is Discrimination.  The reason why there is so much about discrimination lately, is because we allowed it to go on and never said nothing.  There can only be change when one speaks up.

[epicure1]

That's my point.  I am alerted when I have packages to pick up.  However I only pick up twice a week.  I am only stating there should be fair practices on eBay, If a group is given more time due to COVID-19, then all groups affected by COVID-19 should be given the same.  Fair Practices.  If not eBay should state that Sellers are not an affected group of COVID-19 in their view.

You have to look at the reason why eBay is doing this for customers.  It's so they have more time to safely return their packages.

[epicure1]

No actually Discrimination is not limited to your scope:  Discrimination: the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things

[redlmc]

I received the one nightmare return as I call it Saturday.    The box was damaged and was thus stated with a USPS sticker.  Only 2 of the 6 items the buyer returned were in there.  I had to refund anyway.  Guess I can file a claim with USPS but it is somewhat difficult getting all the documents in order for the paper trail of the cost of the item.  Meaning so it would be easy for USPS to understand what the value of the item was and why it was being returned.

[yuzuha]

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@epicure1 wrote:

That's my point.  I am alerted when I have packages to pick up.  However I only pick up twice a week.  I am only stating there should be fair practices on eBay, If a group is given more time due to COVID-19, then all groups affected by COVID-19 should be given the same.  Fair Practices.  If not eBay should state that Sellers are not an affected group of COVID-19 in their view.

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Choosing to have a different return address is just that: a CHOICE. You don't have to do it. There is no "discrimination" involved here when this situation is entirely within your control.

[itsjustasprain]

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@epicure1 wrote:

Most if not all online businesses do not use their home addresses.

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You keep saying that. What is your source for that claim?

[monster-deals]

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@fashunu4eeuh wrote:

”Most Sellers have their address for returns to another location, POB, packaging company etc for obvious reasons.”

Don’t know if i would say most sellers have alternate return addresses. I have only ever used my home address as the return address on all my outgoing packages, to foster transparency with my buyers.

During a pandemic, if you decide only to go pick up your mail twice a week, rather than have it delivered where you reside, that is your right, but that decision also has consequences. You do not have to take that risk, you are choosing to take it. 

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I'd never give some random customer on the internet my address or phone number. That's insanity.

[kensgiftshop]

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@epicure1 wrote:

Most if not all online businesses do not use their home addresses.

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I've always used my home address.

To much trouble going somewhere to pick up packages to just bring them home, when my mail carrier can bring them to me.

[kensgiftshop]

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@redlmc wrote:

I received the one nightmare return as I call it Saturday.    The box was damaged and was thus stated with a USPS sticker.  Only 2 of the 6 items the buyer returned were in there.  I had to refund anyway.  Guess I can file a claim with USPS but it is somewhat difficult getting all the documents in order for the paper trail of the cost of the item.  Meaning so it would be easy for USPS to understand what the value of the item was and why it was being returned.

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If it was a return, it doesn't come with insurance, unless you pay for it.

[donsdetour]

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@redlmc wrote:

I received the one nightmare return as I call it Saturday.    The box was damaged and was thus stated with a USPS sticker.  Only 2 of the 6 items the buyer returned were in there.  I had to refund anyway.  Guess I can file a claim with USPS but it is somewhat difficult getting all the documents in order for the paper trail of the cost of the item.  Meaning so it would be easy for USPS to understand what the value of the item was and why it was being returned.

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You might want to start a topic about this;

[7606dennis]

I'm not sure what you are describing falls under the legal definition of discrimination. 

With regard to your choosing to use a PO Box, that is your prerogative.  Unfortunately, only checking your box once a week while attempting to operate a business may not be a good choice.  If you're concerned about exposure to the Covid-19 virus you might want to consider suspending your business operations until you feel that it is safe to do so.  Alas!  There are many businesses that haven't the option to do any sort of business during the pandemic. 

[vintage-car-magazines]

Just because eBay doesn't make special accommodations for your choices.....doesn't make it discrimination. They're the same rules for all sellers.

What if a seller has mail delivered to their home but choose to only check the mailbox twice a week. Should there be a special rule for that choice?

If you're selling online.....through the mail.....checking mail twice a week is a choice that can pose problems. 

[zenpowerstore]

It is a misconception that discrimination is only limited in scope to being about a protected class.  Discrimination can be applied to any person, based on a policy of bias or preferential treatment that harms users of a service or a business.  When a policy is not applied equally or fairly across the board, it can rise to the level of unethical or illegal actions that intentionally harms a business, people, users, sellers, buyers, etc...

[tdumonde2014]

Discrimination in business takes place all the time, the Post Office will give large volume shippers a better rate than small volume shippers, wholesalers will give larger orders a better discount than smaller orders, etc. . Now if the Post Office or the wholesaler were giving better rates based on race, religion, gender, etc., then that would be discrimination. What exactly is your "Discrimination" claim?