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.

[pburn]

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@chapeau-noir wrote:

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.

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Your clothing items, for the most part, are buyer-paid returns. Do you feel that increases SNAD filings? Or do you think it doesn't have an impact, as compared to seller-paid returns?

How about your non-clothing items that you have no returns on? Do you feel you get some false SNADs on those kinds of items so you're stuck with return shipping?

[lamber9347]

@shhboom Yes I do think there is much truth to this. There will be many, I see them already, who will say it makes no difference. Keep in mind those are mainly sellers who've been bruised by bad buyers so they are understandably prickly whenever INAD's are brought up. 

I'm also a 20 year seller who offers free returns and have only ever had one (1) INAD. I've had a return here and there over the years, can count them on one hand, but only ever one person (two years ago) who purchased from me then created an INAD moments after the delivery. His FB left for others was full of negatives and harsh language. There are people out there like that and sometimes they cross your path. Nothing you can do about that. 

Pretty much every return request I've ever received starts with, "since you accept returns". Approx 3-4 have been before the item was even delivered. In those cases I simply tell them no big deal just mark return to sender. They do it every time, item comes back to me exactly how I shipped it, I refund them, they leave me positive FB; win/win for both of us. 

So I do feel that because I make returns so easy for my buyers that is the main reason why I've received so few returns and only ever one INAD.... 

[no-plain-white-envelopes]

No , buyers will find any reason they want to return and lie all they can for a free return.

[teenytrinkets]

Anyone EVER had a buyer pay return shipping since SNAD claims changed to offer free shipping? Probably not. 

I remember receiving a ripped item years ago and had to pay $25 to return it, so I get the need for the change for seller-paid return shipping.  But having to prove an item is SNAD is too onerous for ebay now, so all buyers get free return shipping if they simply change their minds. Free returns are easier now on Ebay than almost all other online retailers!

I think a generous return policy basically just makes a seller appear to stand by their products more, and demonstrates flexibility. I personally think it helps sales.  And since a buyer will have a free return if they want it, why not just accept returns to boost sales?

[southern*sweet*tea]

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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.  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.

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Here's the thing:

When you offer FREE returns, you accept returns for ANY reason, or NO reason at all, and YOU pay the return shipping.

I'm only speaking for myself, but if someone wants to return one of my items, that's perfectly cool. If you don't want it for whatever reason, I don't want you to have it. Send it back on MY dime so someone else can buy it and enjoy it.  I sell collectible paper (for the most part). People don't want to read it and return it, they don't want to scan it and return it, they want the actual, physical piece of paper.

I self-insure. Return shipping is already paid for. Don't want it, send it back. I"ll pay for it.  Only if I were willing to write off the loss entirely would I refund without requiring a return, and unless I get a photo of a broken item, that's not gonna happen.  If someone is running some sort of scam on me, I'm at least going to make them work for it. Like I said, the money is not the issue since I self insure and return shipping is already covered, all I have to do is reach into the cookie jar.

It all depends on what you sell and who you are selling it to.

All that said, I've only had two returns ever in 17 years, so I could just be talking out my backside.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯