Does having a 30-day return policy reduce the chance of getting a fake INAD?

[shhboom]

Does having a 30-day return policy reduce the chance of getting a fake INAD? The logic being if a buyer has buyer's remorse and the seller doesn't accept returns, then a fake INAD is the only way the buyer can return the item.

I have had  30-day returns on most of my items in 20 years on eBay, and I've only gotten one fake INAD even though I sell mostly electronic items which are especially susceptible to buyer scams.

[mr_lincoln]

@shhboom   The only thing that increases the chance of a false INAD return is a dishonest Buyer ...

[gwzcomps]

There is basically no difference between no returns and 30 day returns.  Either way the buyer will lie if they want to.

[1grandmashope_1]

Returns are a given, if a buyer is unhappy.  I believe, from reading the boards, electronics seems to have a high rate of issues.  Although, as you stated, you are not having issues, your good. 

The bottom li e is who is purchasing your item and their expectations and your listing details. 

Success in all your sales.

Grandma

[bargainnation]

No. A few dishonest buyers file fake INADs because they want the item for free... completely free. They get a refund of the amount they paid for the item plus any shipping charges they paid if a seller decides to refund the buyer and does not request the return of the item. This is what dishonest buyers are counting on.

Offering a 30-day return policy means nothing to dishonest buyers who just want free merchandise. In the end it don't cost the dishonest buyer a cent to try to get merchandise for free.

[vintagecraze50]

30 day return has no effect on this if a buyer is dishonest. Free returns may reduce false INADS becuase they do not need to lie to get their item returned free.

[comics-scifi-collectibles]

@shhboom  There is some advantage to you though in offering buyer pays returns.   Since you are a Top Rated seller and offer buyer pays returns of 30 days you reduce the refund by up to 50% if the buyer somehow reduces the value of the item.

 https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/seller-protections?id=4345&st=3&pos=1&query=Sell...

[pburn]

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@vintagecraze50 wrote:

30 day return has no effect on this if a buyer is dishonest. Free returns may reduce false INADS becuase they do not need to lie to get their item returned free.

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I think you've gotten to the crux of the matter.

It's not 30-day returns that help reduce SNADs, it's 30-day FREE returns. Buyers don't want to pay for return shipping, no matter what the reason is for the return.

I haven't seen any published statistics on the subject--just individual sellers posting about their own personal experience, which is really pretty much meaningless, considering the total volume of eBay transactions. 

[mtgraves7984]

I don't think anything can protect a seller from bad NAD claims.

I'm a small (TRS) seller... I keep my 30-Day Return policy as an added layer of protection on refunds. We have so few.

[comics-scifi-collectibles]

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@pburn wrote:

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@vintagecraze50 wrote:

30 day return has no effect on this if a buyer is dishonest. Free returns may reduce false INADS becuase they do not need to lie to get their item returned free.

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I think you've gotten to the crux of the matter.

It's not 30-day returns that help reduce SNADs, it's 30-day FREE returns. Buyers don't want to pay for return shipping, no matter what the reason is for the return.

I haven't seen any published statistics on the subject--just individual sellers posting about their own personal experience, which is really pretty much meaningless, considering the total volume of eBay transactions. 

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@pburn  Even free returns doesn't stop the clueless from lying about the return reason and filing a SNAD.  I had that happen before the policy to reduce the refund amount went into effect.  The scammer read a bunch of mint magazines and then returned them!  Two lots of them about two weeks apart.    They weren't worth selling again since it looked like a kid read them.

I have been lucky though as those were not expensive items and I only lost about $40 total.    I even refunded the idiot on the second return and told him NOT to return the magazines and of course he returns them anyway so I was out the return shipping.   😞 

I agree though that in general free return shipping MAY help to reduce false SNADS.  

I have not had a single buyer's remorse return.  

[tev4all]

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@mtgraves7984 wrote:

I don't think anything can protect a seller from bad NAD claims.

I'm a small (TRS) seller... I keep my 30-Day Return policy as an added layer of protection on refunds. We have so few.

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Sure there is.......

Don't list anything. no sales, no returns.

Otherwise with any sale its 50/50, buyer will keep item or they will return it.

[chapeau-noir]

IMHO most people are honest - I have 30 day returns but I sell clothing - sometimes stuff just doesn't fit so I offer that layer of service.

[pburn]

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@comics-scifi-collectibles wrote:

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@pburn  Even free returns doesn't stop the clueless from lying about the return reason and filing a SNAD.

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That's why I said " . . . help reduce SNADs" instead of " . . . eliminates SNADs."

[mam98031]

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@gwzcomps wrote:

There is basically no difference between no returns and 30 day returns.  Either way the buyer will lie if they want to.

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Yes there is.  Not in regards to what the OP asked, but there are other differences.  But in respect to what the OP is asking, you are absolutely right.  There is no protection for sellers from those types of INADs no matter what return policy a seller has.

[mam98031]