eBay

tweetystwades · ‎09-20-2017

Just curious how many sellers will do this, I can not afford to do it. I will have to pay the return shipping, and make no profit on the sale. That's a bad business plan for me. Also, how much business do you think we will lose for not offering it? Will we be so buried we won't see the light of day?

dhbookds · ‎09-20-2017

I've offered free returns for at least 2 years....... had 3 or 4, 2 others insisted on paying for the return themselves as their mistake.

lex-talon · ‎09-20-2017

@tweetystwades wrote:
Just curious how many sellers will do this, I can not afford to do it. I will have to pay the return shipping, and make no profit on the sale. That's a bad business plan for me. Also, how much business do you think we will lose for not offering it? Will we be so buried we won't see the light of day?

I've only had two returns in the last few years. I don't feel it's a

good idea at all. Not losing any business, but actually sales are picking up for me.😆

sharingtheland · ‎09-20-2017

@dhbookds wrote:
I've offered free returns for at least 2 years....... had 3 or 4, 2 others insisted on paying for the return themselves as their mistake.

Yes, I agree - I have very few returns and I don't think it matters if I offer free shipping or not. Probaby because my items are in exactly the condition described and are exactly what the buyer wanted (a very specific collectible widget, etc).

The one that cost me so much said she would pay return shipping (and I have that in ebay messages) but she had checked "does not work" which meant in the ebay universe that I had to provide the label. She did not offer to repay me, lol.

Cost of doing business, I know, but lately I've been selling heavier items and ebay seems to be showing them only to Washington, Oregon and Utah. I'm in Virginia.

Sherry

=^.^= =^.^=
( ) ( )
" " =^.^= " "

getitright1234 · ‎09-20-2017

Free returns is not in the cards for me for the following reasons:

#1. Any buyer who will only buy from me because I offer free returns is "Not" the type of buyer I am looking to attract.

#2. Free returns already exist for those buyers who file SNAD, and/or damaged in shipment claims. eBay does a great job of letting customers know, if they have a problem with their purchases; the return is "Free" of charge to them. If a customer contacts me with a problem, I have no problem paying for return shipping on a legitimate SNAD.

#3. What advantage will a seller receive for opting into a Free return program; I heard they would get better placement in search. They only way that I would consider opting into Free returns is if I were guaranteed a 40 to 50% increase in sales, Oh, but wait , that takes me back to #1. If this 40 to 50% increase comes from buyers who were attracted to the "Free" return shipping, chances are, 20 to 30% will take me up on that Free return, so, I feel no need to opt in.

Offering free returns for (any) reason and having that plastered within my listings is like self-mulitation and self-exploitation,............it simply is not good for me. Its like waving a red flag: Hey, I accept returns for "any" reason, I have deep pockets, and I'll foot the bill even for your mistakes.

hawgryders · ‎09-20-2017

@tweetystwades wrote:
@postingid2017 wrote:
I second your suggestion @victorjunkman55

In accordance with the update, it is what buyer's "expect" so let eBay pay for free return shipping.

I don't even think it's what buyers expect, I never expect free returns. Who does offer free returns?
Does Amazone?

Amazon Prime gives free 2 day shipping, free return shipping, no-fault returns, and a host of on-line access (books, movies, music) --- all for a yearly fee

This has also forced Wal-Mart to offer free shipping & returns --- which is why eBay offers incentives to those who do the same here ...

odditiesandantiquities1 · ‎09-20-2017

@getitright1234 wrote:
Free returns is not in the cards for me for the following reasons:

#1. Any buyer who will only buy from me because I offer free returns is "Not" the type of buyer I am looking to attract.

#2. Free returns already exist for those buyers who file SNAD, and/or damaged in shipment claims. eBay does a great job of letting customers know, if they have a problem with their purchases; the return is "Free" of charge to them. If a customer contacts me with a problem, I have no problem paying for return shipping on a legitimate SNAD.

#3. What advantage will a seller receive for opting into a Free return program; I heard they would get better placement in search. They only way that I would consider opting into Free returns is if I were guaranteed a 40 to 50% increase in sales, Oh, but wait , that takes me back to #1. If this 40 to 50% increase comes from buyers who were attracted to the "Free" return shipping, chances are, 20 to 30% will take me up on that Free return, so, I feel no need to opt in.

Offering free returns for (any) reason and having that plastered within my listings is like self-mulitation and self-exploitation,............it simply is not good for me. Its like waving a red flag: Hey, I accept returns for "any" reason, I have deep pockets, and I'll foot the bill even for your mistakes.

You have made me decide to stop giving free returns. Thank you and for all your points. Well said.

hawgryders · ‎09-20-2017

@odditiesandantiquities1 wrote:
You have made me decide to stop giving free returns. Thank you and for all your points. Well said.

A bit of unsolicited advice --- be very wary taking advice from an anonymous source ...

buyselljack2016 · ‎09-20-2017

Knew a woman that had new clothes to wear every month. Free return shipping kept her in style:)

bubbleman2010 · ‎09-20-2017

The majority of buyers lie and claim a item is SNAD so you have to pick up the return shipping so you're already offering free return shipping,but if you select free return shipping the buyers don't have to lie and makes them look better instead of being the liars they really are....

getitright1234 · ‎09-20-2017

Plus when your know the SNAD is false, it gives your the opportunity to at least file a: Report the Buyer , ; however when you offer "Free" returns, your Report the Buyer option goes out the window, becomes a mute point.

bubbleman2010 · ‎09-20-2017

As far as search placement I run a new virus program and one of its features is if I look at one of your items it goes out shopping on the internet and brings back other like items from different sources that are cheaper and posts them at the top of your listing. The virus program is being used a lot by the 20 something crowd so if by chance one of them was using the program and shopping they'll be shown a cheaper item elsewhere...

getitright1234 · ‎09-20-2017

@hawgryders wrote:
@odditiesandantiquities1 wrote:
You have made me decide to stop giving free returns. Thank you and for all your points. Well said.

A bit of unsolicited advice --- be very wary taking advice from an anonymous source ...

You might now know who I am, but sound advise is sound advise:

1. Diet more

2. Exercise more

3. Practice love not hate

4. Believe in yourself

..........................................................................all advice taken from an anonymous source, but, the advice provided is spot on. And by the way, the OP was soliciting advice/opinions/takes on the situation.

hawgryders · ‎09-20-2017

@bubbleman2010 wrote:
The majority of buyers lie and claim a item is SNAD so you have to pick up the return shipping so you're already offering free return shipping,but if you select free return shipping the buyers don't have to lie and makes them look better instead of being the liars they really are....

Been around this place since '99 --- buying, selling, **bleep**'ing, and sometimes just listening

In that time I have found the vast majority of buyers & sellers to be honest, friendly folks who treat others as they want to be treated

Never did understand why those who seem to hate this place stay around --- must be very stressful ...

my-cottage-books-and-antiques · ‎09-20-2017

I've been offering free return shipping for a few years. .Maybe it gives me a small competitive edge, maybe not, but I haven't had any problems with it.

I don't think sellers who don't offer it will be "buried" They won't show up in the "Free Returns" filter, but only a small percentage of searches will use that filter. Obviously, they won't have "free returns" highlighted in the search results list, but again, that isn't the same thing as being buried.