Length of Return Time is Way Too Long

[greenmangoes]

I have "Accept returns allowed within 14 days" in my Return Policy, yet buyers get over 30 days before they can ship back an item.

Example, I just accepted a return today (June 6) but the buyer has until July 12 TO SHIP the item. So if they ship it on July 12 that adds even more days before it gets to me so I can relist it again.

That is way too long. I'd like them to ship it within the 14 days that I have set-up in my Return Policy, not 30+? Am I misunderstanding something?

Thanks!

[itemresa]

Your 14 day return policy only applies to remorse returns (i.e. didn't like it, doesn't fit and one or two others), if your buyer chooses to open a INAD claim (doesn't match description, item arrived damaged or not working, seller sent wrong item, etc.) they have 30 days from the date of delivery to do so per the MBG. And yes, eBay does give buyers an additional 30 days from the date they open a return just to get it in the mail. Let me reiterate my last point: a buyer who opens a return can literally wait 30 days from the date they open the return before they even take it to the carrier, as long as tracking shows an acceptance scan by day 30 eBay will let the return go through. This means that in the worst case scenario (a buyer who waits 30 days to open a INAD return and then waits another 30 days before shipping the item back to you) an item can be out of your possession for more than 2 months and eBay will still force you to refund the buyer.

[mordecai8614]

I doubt it's something you really need to worry about since the buyer probably wants their refund sooner than later & will return the item within 14 days anyway

[caldreamer]

What you are missing is 14-day return policy (means customer has 14-days to file complaint).   That does not mean they have 14-day to return item.   I agree with you 30-day that EBAY allows customers to ship item back is too long. 

[dolcetreasures]

The entire returns process on eBay isn’t consistent with online retail. 30 days means 30 days period. Not open a case within 30 days and get another 20 to ship it back. 

[monster-deals]

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@greenmangoes wrote:

yet buyers get over 30 days before they can ship back an item.

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30 days past the last estimated delivery date to open a return and then 21 days to ship it and sometimes more if they cry on the phone...and sometimes ebay allows buyers to "request" a return (this time actually being a request) AFTER the MBG has expired

Its ridiculous.

As far as I am concerned it should be 2 weeks and 2 weeks.

At least take the window to ship a return back down to the pre-covid level.

[brilloslc]

Not if they are planning on using the item, prior to returning it. Or not if they are still actively shopping around for something less expensive, or more to their liking.

[golfingaddict]

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@dolcetreasures wrote:

The entire returns process on eBay isn’t consistent with online retail. 30 days means 30 days period. Not open a case within 30 days and get another 20 to ship it back. 

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I agree with this.   

I get that it might take a week to put it in the mail if you need to go to the post office on a weekend, but this idea that they need 2 weeks is ridiculous, particularly if they wait 30 days to open the return.  

[spreadlovelikefire]

I'd also like to add this, which has now happened twice to me in the past 2-months.  Since AI is now the driving force on eBay, AI decides to tell sellers they have received the returned item back even when they have not.  Just yesterday I received a message from eBay (it was an AI bot) that said, "Did you receive this item?  It's time to refund."  In the message it says I need to refund within 72 hours, yet no item has been received and tracking shows it's still in transit.  I have auto returns set up, this was a remorse return and I do free returns.  So, eBay now is saying that it doesn't matter if the item hasn't reached the seller, AI is telling sellers to refund within this specific time or else your account will get a defect.  I'm not sure what the time frame is to trigger these emails, my guess it's 7 days.  The buyer shipped it back 2 weeks after opening the return.  Then the tracking stalled out for a couple of days because USPS is all over the place.  Either way, eBay says to wait to refund buyers to make sure you check the items before refunding out of one end of their mouth, then has AI do this.  This is not streamline.  This creates waaaaaaay more stress and work for no reason.  Because I do free returns I'm able to refund up to half if the item comes back worn or not in the same condition.  This eliminates that from me if they do an auto refund before the item is even delivered.  

[tobaccocardyahoo]

The bulk of your listings are in high return rate categories. If you did not accept returns you would sell less.

The sales drop would probably be greater than the number of returns you get.

Tightening returns policies in Women's Clothing usually results in lower sales/

We all hate returns, but you should be covering all of the costs of returns including the unavailability of inventory, in increased profit.

[fab_finds4u]

Redamndiculous.

[greenmangoes]

I just had this exact scenario - and there's nowhere to indicate that the item had not yet been received.

The site, the chatbot, and the phone number that I called all had me going in a circle - in come cases we just need to speak with someone. Situations like this takes time away from doing other important things. SMH!

[greenmangoes]

Exactly!!!

[bennotbill]

A long return time is the kiss of death for many seasonal items. Where even if you get back a perfect item it will end up back on the shelf until next year.

[girly101]

I ship to them in one day so I believe the 30 day return is way too long. Some things are listed by season and if it takes to much time to get it back the season could be ending for relisting. They know right away if there is damage or they don’t fit. I believe 7 days would be appropriate.