How much do I save by allowing returns?

[danny1376]

First of all, yes I know that buyers are always covered under eBay's Money Back Guarantee.

But I've been dealing with a rash of buyers who simply change their mind and want to return items.

I was under the impression, a few years ago, that if I allowed 30-day returns then eBay took less money from my sales. Is this still in place? Can anyone explain to me the going rates? 

[coastaltechsolution]

You mean 30-day FREE returns ?

[monster-deals]

I think you may have heard wrong.

You save no money but you save headaches.

[funkyfreshmike.2013]

Always offer returns - no returns don't mean no refunds. 

[caldreamer]

You only get discounted on EBAY fees if you offer FREE RETURNS (you pay for customer's postage).    That only seems a good deal if you sell items that customers never return or if you fact that expense into your listing price.    

[inhawaii]

Offering free returns means ... you'll accept any return for any reason.

Not offering returns means ... you do not have to accept "i changed my mind" returns. You still have to accept "not as described" or  "damaged" type returns.

NOTE: Being a top rated seller and accepting return gives you the privilege of being able to deduct up to 50% if/when a seller returns something to you in damaged (or missing  parts) condition.

[m_pthisandthat]

I must disagree with a few people. I feel what you are selling has alot to do if you offer returns are not. I am well aware that No Returns really does not mean No Returns. Having said that I sell mustly collectibles and predominately vintage glass. My thought by indicating no returns is I keep a buyer away from the idea that they could order my glass for a special event use it and then want a return. Up to this point it seems to have worked. Then again maybe I have just been lucky and my policy had nothing to do with it. Still food for thought

[coastaltechsolution]

IF you are TRS and Offer 30 day returns (or 60 day) you are covered from negative feedback and can also give 50% refund if returned item is not new as when sold 

Other then that, well to be honest there is no seller protection 

I just changed all my listings to be 30 day free returns just to have this protection, not saying it is great and awesome but it is what the platform requires and I can take the losses of on my taxes (still does not help during the physical year) 

[farmalljr]

If you are a TRS an offer 30 day buyer paid returns, you will get a FVF's discount of 10% in CERTAIN categories. 

If you are a TRS and offer 30 day FREE (you pay) returns, you will get a 10% discount on all FVF's. You also get the "protection" of negative feedback removal in a case of a return. 

For the measly 1% in fee reductions, I let buyers pay returns. I did the "free" returns and it cost me quite a bit of money and encouraged "renting" and just returning stuff when people were done using it. 

[buyselljack2016]

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@coastaltechsolution wrote:

IF you are TRS and Offer 30 day returns (or 60 day) you are covered from negative feedback and can also give 50% refund if returned item is not new as when sold 

Other then that, well to be honest there is no seller protection 

I just changed all my listings to be 30 day free returns just to have this protection, not saying it is great and awesome but it is what the platform requires and I can take the losses of on my taxes (still does not help during the physical year) 

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Does not have to be "free returns" to get the protections.

All free returns does is to allow you to lose more money.