How to prevent "wardrobing" customer returns.

[aemforsale]

Long time ebay member (over 10 years) selling mostly my pre-owned or unused items especially designer fashion/accessories without a problem. The past 8 months ive had a rash of customers who want a discount ( i negotiated with two in order to avoid a return) and the latest - first actual return. They site the item not being photographed correctly and edges are more worn than they thought.  I take the max number of photos and describe flaws...the question is i can't tell if the item - say purse - was used for an evening and returned. Everyone's monitor and phone are different, not to mention eyes, what constitutes a flaw etc. In fact my double monitor display at work shows two fairly different views based on color, shadows etc. 

Item returned and refunded. Now im left holding the bag.

The latest feedback - " a bit more used than i like but it does say used-pre owned." Buyer has not responded about removing...how do we stop this? Is there a way to attach a large, unremovable tag in the event a buyer cuts it, negates their ability to return?

How can someone return an item for being more used than they assumed? How does ebay describe used? Thanks.

[parkersparrow]

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@femmefan1946 wrote:

That's a tag beyond the exploding ink tags I take it? The ones used for shoptheft prevention?

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Yes, it was just a regular cardboard tag the same as a price ticket. I think we would use special colored plastic tag bullets to attach them. Not just the usual clear so we could tell if the career scammers who had their own ticket guns, couldn't get away with reattaching them.

[kensgiftshop]

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@femmefan1946 wrote:

I wonder if " a bit more used than i like but it does say used-pre owned." would move a Dispute from Not As Described to Buyer Remorse.

The difference being who pays for the return.

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At one time, they would change it, but not any more.

[ittybitnot]

You are going to find that anywhere you sell online, not just Ebay.

No. You would be incorrect.  Though it may be a function of selling online including other venues,  it is indeed NOT ANYWHERE or EVERYWARE.... that is an old used out statement that ebay relied on for years.   It is no longer true. 

There is indeed a difference now a marked difference  with selling online and selling on ebay. 

[pvcliff]

15 years or more ago I bought tags from a travel company (like Travelsmith) that had bright red/orange tags with serial numbers on them. You fastened the tag with little beads that pulled to tighten up, but would not reverse to loosen. The unique numbering would assure you got your own  item back. I bought them to secure suitcases; heck I ought to rummage around to see if I still have them in my travel stuff, I never used them. I know just where to sell them!

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@upgradedendmills wrote:

Any scammer worth their salt is probably on their way to the hardware store as we speak to stock up on various widths and colors of zip ties. Maybe someone will start selling custom tamper proof ones for clothes vendors.

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