Excessive returns this month

[tammiegoldenhair]

Hi everyone I’m a full-time seller and offer 30 day free returns which normally happens minimally each month. There’s always a couple here and there but as of late I have noticed excessive amounts of returns for all kinds of items high price and even low prices items , seems like remorse reasons mostly. For me it has never been this way so I’m curious to know how the community  is doing with your returns for those of you that offer them . 

[m60driver]

I am noticing a number of possible odd trends beginning this month.  But  I need to see if these trend last or are just a statistical blip as I always wait to see data over at least 60 days.

[midtownloft]

Okay, firstly I understand that returns are to be anticipated.  In 6 years of selling, I have been very lucky to have had only 5 returns.  Unfortunately, the last 45 days have resulted in 3 returns.  Thankfully, they were not defects and will not affect my standing. 

One was a vintage item which I clearly notify potential Buyers (in the posting and again if we are negotiating price) that sizing in 2022 is vastly different from sizing in the 50s to 70s.  Let's face it, a size 12 in the 50s may translate 4 sizes smaller in 2022 fashion.   As a result I include a variety of measurements and ask they review before purchasing.   That wasn't successful and it was returned.

The 2nd one was purchased as a result of bargaining.  Customer received and returned because it was purchased by mistake.  Customer was also a Seller . . lol.

The 3rd (also purchased by a Seller) is being returned (on day 29) because they have not finished their diet goals and it is just too tight.

In all cases I reimburse in full - including original shipping (not sure if that is appropriate).  As a result, I feel that I am in some ways operating in the red (shipping supplies, gasoline, time in line to ship, waiting for item return to relist).   Probably being a bit dramatic:-)

I am a small Seller and have recently starting purchasing new inventory to jump start my Store.  As with everyone, the bottom line is important for not only profits, but to also increase inventory.   I too would like to know if others are experiencing the same issue and if there are suggestions to get off this hamster wheel.   

[mr_lincoln]

@tammiegoldenhair   I had a number of returns late last year which ran my rate up to 1.46% for a while ... none really until recently.  I have two in the last month ... one was due to a mistake I made the other "should have been" a remorse return but the Buyer claimed the item didn't work ... when I got it back I tested it and it worked fine so I had to Report the Buyer for abusing the Return process.

[wasting2muchmoney]

Good point. That's the problem with trying to match Amazon's policies. They don't care about returns since they also are a delivery service and mostly sell their OWN items and quickly restock it for resale.   Once buyers get a sniff of that policy, it's like buying on approval... they start to think of it not as a purchsase, but as a review. 

[katzrul15]

@tammiegoldenhair 

No returns (so far) for 2022.  2021 Holiday returns were down from 2020 Christmas season (thank goodness)

[joseh1445]

I didn't get a return.  Maybe 1.  Or Jack Daniels...

[meme6253]

I have been tempted to use free returns, But after hearing this , I will wait!

[dbfolks166mt]

     I always considered free returns to equate to buy it and try it from a buyers perspective. Pretty much gives them a free ride on remorse returns. As for the return rate I suspect it has a lot to do with what you are selling. While I don't sell clothing items or jewelry I would expect those to have a pretty high return rate either because of size issues or the buyer didn't like it once they had it and tried it. 

     People are also becoming a bit more $ conscious. There have been a number of postings on this forum about buyers who returned items because "they found it cheaper elsewhere". Buyer behavior is getting difficult to anticipate these days.