Final Straw!!

[azbill2001]

Received a return request for "Item not as described" on a like new store return pair of New Balance shoes today.  The buyer said the "shoe laces were too short, and was unable to tell the length of the laces in the picture".  The laces were the original New Balance laces that come in the shoes.  After 15 minutes or "chat" and hour on the phone with four different eBay agents, no one could make the decision to reject the return.  A case was opened, the buyer was told to return the shoes and my funds are "on hold" until the shoes are returned.

This is just one of the several bogus "item not as described" returns I have had to deal with in the past couple of months.  Buyers have learned how to "play the eBay return game" to avoid paying shipping to and from them on a return.  eBay doesn't care one bit.  They admit it's a problem, but they are no longer willing to "offend"  buyers by calling out their bogus returns.  I have been selling steady for over 10 years, and have seen many changes (mostly seller adverse) to the platform.  Thankfully there are many other ways of reselling online now, I am forced to make the switch.  "Shoe laces too short" was the straw that broke the camel's back for me.

[chapeau-noir]

I wear New Balance shoes for running and those danged laces are plenty long -  I have to tie them twice.  Every model I've worn is like that (I run distance so I buy 4 pair at a time). Maybe they have manhole covers for feet O_o

Posh doesn't take as many returns, but selling over there is like digging in hard dirt and I make more here. I'd say don't pull out completely - see if you can pin down if there's a particular market that's causing more trouble.

[azbill2001]

I did that with in one hour of getting the return request.  Over an hour dealing with 5 different eBay agents, end result eBay lets the buyer return shoes, puts a hold on the return amount and basically closes the case pending buyer shipping shoes back. 

[toysaver]

"Received a return request for "Item not as described" on a like new store return pair of New Balance shoes today.  The buyer said the "shoe laces were too short, and was unable to tell the length of the laces in the picture".  The laces were the original New Balance laces that come in the shoes."

How would you know the laces were original if they were a returned item?  That opens the window to the possibility of been switched by the original purchaser.  

[chapeau-noir]

Are they the men's extra wide 6E?  If so, I take my previous post back - if the photos tell the story, those are strangely short laces for that width shoe, and if he tries to  lace them to the back hole, they won't work.

If they aren't the extra wide...well, just ignore me.

ETA: Not trying to aggravate the situation, but sometimes stuff like this comes up and it turns out that it's a problem with the product after all.

[sweeetdeals4you]

I agree with you, Had the same problem and Ebay just doesn't care.  Now Ebay is charging 13.25 percent for the selling price plus we are being charged that fee on top of the Taxes they collect.  And Then we get stuck for shipping for returns.  This is wrong.  So for every 1 item we sell on Ebay , We are selling 6 items some were else.  There is a lot of new places to sell. 

[sweeetdeals4you]

But the sellers gets stuck with the return shipping. The buyer needs to pay return shipping if there isn't anything wrong with the item.  People do this in hopes the seller will offer them some cash back.  

[gwens*4saleitems*]

NO, no, no.

The buyer is claiming not as described BECAUSE they would have to pay to return the item. (except in this case where the seller does not accept returns).  The only way the buyer pays shipping back is for a remorse return, which, as you know, (tongue-in-cheek) rarely happens. 

Then the seller gives a return label, gets the item back (hopefully the buyer isn't a *), refunds the sale, and relists at a slightly higher price than what it sold for, especially here where it's just some stupid shoelaces.

Again, I ask, "Why even / ever argue with a buyer that wants to return something?"

[vintagecraze50]

Man, I hear ya. It’s tough with these returns on here. I just looked at our three month total for this year. We sell fairly expensive items and we had over three grand in returns already this year. 

[vintagecraze50]

Ken. I just price my items high to anticipate these returns every year. It all has to be figured into the business plan.

[vintagecraze50]

It does burn my buns when people tell you it is not as described It would be more palatable for me if they just tell me they do not like it want it. When they resort to the not as described  I get my feathers ruffled a bit because THIS IS MY BUSINESS ON HERE, and I DO NOT APPRECIATE PEOPLE WHO MAY LEAVE US BAD FEEDBACK AS WELL. When they lie to get what they want, I do report them.

[vintagecraze50]

You do not argue with them. I set all my stuff on auto pilot for granting returns. No need to get upset.

[vintagecraze50]

Yeah, that happens on here. If they ask for partials do not do it. It’s how some people bargain AFTER THE SALE.

[simba6]

It's the never ending returns of the wally mart shoppers.   They return as much as they buy.  Say the magic words not as described and returns are always free here.  Nothing to lose as a buyer.