Is this a good thing? We’re simplifying order cancellations

[ten_o_nine]

Hi ten_o_nine,

We're reaching out to let you know that today, we're launching an update that will simplify the order cancellation process for both sellers and buyers.

What's new
Buyers now have the option to request an order cancellation using the Cancel order button before the item is marked as shipped.

What sellers should know
•
You retain full control to either accept or decline cancellation requests

•
You’re protected from neutral or negative feedback for any cancellation requests made through our updated process, regardless of whether you accept or decline

•
You may notice a slight increase in cancellation requests, but should receive fewer direct messages from buyers inquiring about cancellations

•
In prior tests, this change resulted in a minimal increase in cancellation requests (maintaining an overall average cancellation rate of 1%, with an increase from .9 out of 100 transactions to 1.1 out of 100 transactions), and a notable 25% improvement in buyer satisfaction, which led to a higher likelihood of repeat purchases

For a detailed overview of these changes, please visit our eBay Community page.

Thanks for being part of the eBay community.

[femmefan1946]

The second point, about negative feedback, is a Good Thing.

The rest  I suspect will mostly effect those who are emotionally involved with selling and have hurt feelings when a customer puts the sweater back on the rack, or leaves the cereal at the cashier's stand.

[rosszonebricks]

I don't get that many cancellations, but usually it's because they caught they entered a wrong address, or actually wanted to cancel and order more. 

However, as long as they actually stick to this, guess it's 'wait and see' on the real-world low-down on how this goes.

You’re protected from neutral or negative feedback for any cancellation requests made through our updated process, regardless of whether you accept or decline

[r_lresale]

The cancel button doesn't make a difference to me but sounds like a good thing for buyers who have been complaining that sellers either didn't see or was ignoring cancellation request messages. 

Protection from negative/neutral feedback for sellers is a good thing since complaints of buyers leaving negs after they asked  to cancel. 

I think it's a win for both sellers & buyers but we will see how it goes. 

[mamacassidy]

Yes, this is a good thing.

I'd much rather someone change their mind and cancel BEFORE I send an order out than have to deal with a return. Especially if they were really unhappy and claimed the return was INR.

[gregmm]

When a customer asks to cancel we do it straight away. But  I do a lot of  fright and sometimes it is a lot of work getting it ready to go. Few cancel but it could be somewhat of a pain if it did happen. and now we have no say in it.  It takes a few days to get it shipper lined up with all the docs. So They could cancel  after we line up with the  shipper and pack everything then palatalize it. I do not see this as a issue over all but could be at times.

[meme6253]

As long as they stick to their word about being protected from neutral & negative feedback, Then i don't for see any major problems with it, But they have gone back on their word plenty of times with other things, we will just have to wait & see.

[the-hook-and-the-loop]

eBay has specialized in cancelled and lost sales. They know nothing about increasing sales.

[alien_strings]

Guess I must be crazy.  I always thought you didn't bid to win or hit buy it now unless you were responsible enough to follow through with the transaction.  Building off of that idea, I see this as eBay coddling deadbeat buyers.

[thetexasbandit]

I have not read all the replies, but headed over here to voice my opinion. Thank you for beating me to the punch.  

I think this is all in reaction to sellers like myself who object to 52 other ads , from other sellers, being put on to an ad for my product, considering that I paid for the ad,  and the other 52 ads are from users paying the higher promoted listing fees.  I clicked on a few of the ones on my ads,  and I am sure they are leading the potential customers away from my listing, and to sellers that pay promoted at 10 % to 16 %.  How these sellers can stay in business at that rate, plus paying for a store, plus paying for FVF, and shipping fees, when ebay gives them a break on shipping while you pay USPS the traditional business discount, is beyond me. I ramble. I have found that in my business 3% still gets me a very small piece of the game, and when I do get a sale , I keep a large dollar amount of the sale.  I am actually making more money, IE: cash deposits into my bank ,  doing less work, retaining my status on inventory numbers,  than I did at 10%.  And do not even get me started on Promoted Advanced....  has Ebay ever listed where they were going to spend your $100 ? On Google ? I can place my own ads on Google, why would I pay Ebay to do it , when there is no accountability that I have seen to where the money goes.....   Now , back to our regular shenanigans.....

[monkamoo1]

I dont mind cancelling if it is a short time between order and request, but some of my stuff has a longer lead time and I have to pay for it and will not cancel in that case.  Ebay should realize that a small seller is not Amazon.com.  I am neutral on it only since they say we are protected from negative feedback if I deny the request.  We will see.

[12345jamesstamps]

I think it can be a  good thing.

Canceling your order...puts that buyer on my blocked list from future purchases.

[selsa84]

What's odd is I've had more cancelled orders and non payments in 2 years than I had for 12 years. 99% were buyers with very low feedback. 

[inhawaii]

The only good thing I can think about by simplifying order cancellations is ...  i'd rather cancel an order than handle a return.

[femmefan1946]

If an Auction purchase is cancelled in that "before shipped" period, does the Auction automatically move the winning bid to the underbidder or does the Auction end without a winning bidder?
I can see problems with either scenario.

Another reason why I don't use Auctions.