I would love statistics on free vs pay returns

[Anonymous]

Last month I changed all my listings to free returns, and I made more sales in one month than I ever had.   I'm not a risk taker, so I changed to this month to buyer pays for returns.  My site is dead under water.  Not a coincidence.  Either eBay only pushes free returns, or buyers only search for free returns - or maybe both.  Sigh.   I just can't afford paying 16 in shipping to send a purse, just to spend 16 to have it back.  I would lose money.  Frustrating.  I hate feeling pressured.

[dhbookds]

I don't know how much you're selling or what your margins are, but you should consider the cost of returns over your total sales, not just one listing.  I.e. if you sold $500 and your returns cost you $16........is that hurting you that much?

Not every item will be returned, you have to figure how many returns YOU have actually had.........  I could tell my return rate, but there is no way that would correlate to what happens to you.........

So how many did you have with free listings?

[fluffywhip78 · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Last month I changed all my listings to free returns, and I made more sales in one month than I ever had.   I'm not a risk taker, so I changed to this month to buyer pays for returns.  My site is dead under water.  Not a coincidence.  Either eBay only pushes free returns, or buyers only search for free returns - or maybe both.  Sigh.   I just can't afford paying 16 in shipping to send a purse, just to spend 16 to have it back.  I would lose money.  Frustrating.  I hate feeling pressured.

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By the looks of it you sell small items like earrings also.  I'm guessing you will ship those via first class at most around $3.30.  why not keep those as free returns since it's less risk and cost also the cost to ship back is cheaper.  You don't have to do all or nothing just keep a handful of listings as free returns to see how it goes.

[luckythewinner]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Last month I changed all my listings to free returns, and I made more sales in one month than I ever had.   I'm not a risk taker, so I changed to this month to buyer pays for returns.  My site is dead under water.  Not a coincidence.  Either eBay only pushes free returns, or buyers only search for free returns - or maybe both.  Sigh.   I just can't afford paying 16 in shipping to send a purse, just to spend 16 to have it back.  I would lose money.  Frustrating.  I hate feeling pressured.

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When you had free returns and made more sales in one month than you ever had, how many returns did you get?

[Anonymous]

Good questions asked and good ideas.  I have not any returns, at least not yet.  And I keep thinking it is all or nothing - but as the one poster pointed out, the small jewelry items I could do free returns, but the heavy purses I will leave as it is.  I will do that.  Thank you for your input.  I rarely have any returns, maybe one in a year, but I don't sell that much either.  Thank you for your guidance.

[m60driver]

What is the issue here?  You claim sales soared when you offered free returns so offer the free returns.  I doubt many buyers make a buying decision based upon whether the seller offers free returns.  Besides, many know they can always claim a SNAD and get a free return.  

[1tuna]

I can see you have free shipping,that is something I always have avoided but I have had free returns since ebay mentioned thats how they like it,remember with ebay a suggestion is the way they want you to do things to gain favored placement and sales

as far as a handbag thats a lot of money for shipping but I would not know since I use 1st class for all shipping.I do not bother insuring in the USA or international.I am loath to use signature confirmation unless its needed.

I sell watches for a living and puposely avoid new ones because I cant stand shipping a watch in the original box,

it just takes it past 1st class and make for a heavier package all together 

I use EDELCON extensively and past 8 ounces there is a big jump for shipping to europe

I ship all over the world for the low price of $12.19 with ebay shipping up to 8 ounces