Is it worthwhile accepting returns?

[linklu54]

I am a fairly new (less than one year) and still very small seller. When I started, I elected not to accept returns, because I was afraid the cost of accepting returns would be too great to absorb.

But lately I've been wondering if I'm using the same faulty logic as retailers who wouldn't accept credit cards because of the fees, not realizing that their business would increase substantially if they took credit cards, and the increase would more than offset the cost.

So is the same true here? Is there anyone on here who has had the experience of switching from not accepting returns to accepting returns, who can tell me if they had a noticeable increase in sales as a result, enough to compensate for the losses that come with it?

Sorry for the lengthy question and thanks in advance for responses.

[redmodelt]

If the buyer opens a not as described case within 30 days, does not matter what your policy is, you need to accept the return. Read the Money Back. If later they open a CB, you lose the item, refund and pay $20 on top of that. 

[heckofagame]

We have been accepting returns for 2 years now and we have had 2 returns.

[firesteel_surplus]

I have been accepting returns since I came back as a seller around 2014 and I don't think I could count all my returns on one hand yet....

And like @redmodelt said, it doesn't matter if you have "No Returns" as your option. In many cases, Ebay's Item Not As Described policy will overrule your "no return" policy and you're out anyway.

Mike

Firesteel Surplus

[mtgraves7984]

Long, long ago (and far, far away) was a time when 'No Returns' meant more than it does today. My opinion, the worst choice. With your TRS standing, I'd recommend that you use 30-Day (Buyer pays) Returns. With that combination, you'll receive one of the last seller protections left... that is to retain the ability to discount the refund you'll be issuing on any item returned in a de-valued/destroyed condition. It's there for you... use it. Good luck!

[kensgiftshop]

I think it depends on what you sale.

I've always accepted returns and only get one every couple years, but I don't sell clothes.

With clothes, there's no way I would buy them online if I couldn't return them if they didn't fit or didn't like the way they fit. If buyer knows they can return an item if they are not happy with it, I think they are more likely to buy and try them.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

did a quick view of your listings. Personally, I would not offer returns. Your starting prices are low at it is. If you offer returns, I think you will get burned at some point. 

Looks like you show many photos and the measurements in the photos. I would also entertain stating the measurements in your 'description / details' in your listings and state 'see photos / details / ask questions if needed before bidding / buying. 

You are somewhat a new seller. That can make you a target for fraud. I would not offer any international shipping being a new seller right now. That is one of the biggest scams right now. 

[m60driver]

Given that most of your listings are lower priced and hopefully very low cost used clothing then why not accept returns?  Contrary to what you might infer reading this forum, returns are relatively rare for most folks.  and the items that you sell are not worth paying for the return shipping so you would lose less money by simply refunding without the need to return.  And as others have noted, "no returns" has become meaningless as, in all online retail,  buyers can always return an item.  So there is no downside to allowing returns as more of an advertising gimmick if nothing else. 

[linklu54]

Oh, I know that. I accept returns now on a case-by-case basis (like if something doesn't fit), and I know the circumstances under which I must accept returns. 

[ckimodog]

@linklu54 

My suggestion is to accept returns. No returns does not mean no refunds.  Avoid the headaches and honor  Ebay's money back guarantee. 

Happy Selling!

[jeffbuzz]

Totally agree.  I switched from "No returns" to "Free returns" based on the added seller protections.  I had a tiny handful of buyers misuse the "item not as described" to force me to accept returns.  The items were exactly as described and ebay sided with me in the end.  However, the time and trouble were not worth it.  Better to simply offer returns and deal with the few legitimate requests as needed. 

If you are getting many return requests, perhaps you need to reevaluate your listing practices.  Buyers should not be asking to return items that were accurately described. 

[femmefan1946]

You can refuse Returns, but you cannot refuse Refunds.

If you are getting more than one percent of your sales resulting in a Claim or Dispute, you are running above the retail industry average (which includes shrinkage (employee theft) and shoplifting).

Since you can demand the return before refunding, even with a No Returns policy, there is very little reason to have a negative policy in your Terms of Sale.

[linklu54]

Thanks for that, that seems like a great idea! I just searched eBay to see how I would go about setting it up, and when I couldn't find instructions I called support and was told I could only set that up listing by listing.  I have gotten incorrect answers from support before, and I'm hoping that's the case here, as editing every listing is going to be incredibly tedious and time-consuming. Do you know if there's a way to set that up as a blanket rule, or does it have to be listing by listing as I was told?

[mtgraves7984 · Accepted solution]

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@linklu54 wrote:

Thanks for that, that seems like a great idea! I just searched eBay to see how I would go about setting it up, and when I couldn't find instructions I called support and was told I could only set that up listing by listing.  I have gotten incorrect answers from support before, and I'm hoping that's the case here, as editing every listing is going to be incredibly tedious and time-consuming. Do you know if there's a way to set that up as a blanket rule, or does it have to be listing by listing as I was told?

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@linklu54 

It's easy-peasy. Have you ever done a bulk revision? All you're out to do is to bulk change your Returns Policy...

Seller Hub/Listings/Active listings

- The page will prefill to 'Manage active listings'. Scroll down a bit and tick the first box on the left to select all listings.
- After that, tick the 'Edit' button and select 'Edit all'.
- The 'Revise listings' page is next... scroll down and tick that top left box to select all listings. Tick 'Bulk edit' and scroll down to 'Return policy' under 'Preferences'.
- When the 'Business policies' box comes up, scroll down to 'Return policy' and tick 'Change to' and choose to expand your 'Selected policies'. The 'Return policy' box comes next. (I can see that you have 30-Day (Buyer pays) on some of your listings, so that choice should prefill in the drop-down.) THAT will be the one you'll want to choose.
- Tick 'Done', tick 'Apply, tick 'Submit all'.

Clear as mud, no? The good news is that you'll only have to do it the one time. Upward and onward! 🙌

For what it's worth, I used 'No Returns' when I first started selling many years ago. After I had gained TRS status, I always used 30-Day (Buyer pays) Returns policy simply for the protection. With slow sales this year, I lost TRS (can't get 100 transactions in a rolling year) but keep the policy as I've never had a problem with returns, anyway. Plus, I think savvy buyers know that 'No Returns' doesn't mean a whole lot anymore. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

For me, it's not worthwhile, but it all depends on what you sell.   

Simple way to find out.  Turn on returns for a specified period of time, 1-2 months & see if it changes anything.  I do that every couple of years & never notice any difference, so I stay no returns, which I prefer.