Making the change to 60 day returns and same day shipping

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@fbusoni 

I'm transitioning from 30 to 60 day free returns and from one day to same day handling. 

Just wondering: Do you highlight this in your listing description area? Most of my listings (except some older ones) have only description info there...I do not put in anything about my policies or what a swell seller I am ,etc. But since one reason to choose 60 day free returns is to instill confidence in the buyer, I wonder if highlighting that is a good idea? ebay doesn't seem to do much with it in the return area: the info is there, but not in any very noticeable way.

[gloryglorygifts]

I always think of book sellers especially with the 60 day return. I mean, I could finish a book off in a week. Dressier clothes that people wear once.  I am SURE that there are people that would read/use them and return when they are done. Personally, I'm not a fan of 60-day returns, 30 neither. I think it leaves sellers very vulnerable and agree with your sentiment.  

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@gloryglorygifts Just to be clear: I'm not recommending this to anyone. I'm going to test it to see if it works for ME. Like most things, different sellers will have different experiences, depending on their inventory, their business model, and their comfort level for risk.

I've had 30 day free returns for many years, since before ebay started to push it, and it hasn't been a problem. I am personally comfortable with the level of risk created by going from 30 days to 60 days. If it doesn't work for me, I'll reverse course...this is just something I'm trying. 

[az93]

I recommend 2 day shipping for peace of mind and less stress. I have 2 day shipping, but usually mail much sooner.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@az93  Thanks. I have had one day handling for a long time now, and I haven't found it to be particularly stressful. I don't think the change to same day handling is going to increase my stress level, since whenever practical I already ship same day. However, that could change if sales increase this Season to a point where packing becomes a problem. While I'd obviously like to see increased sales, I'm not expecting them to increase to such a point that it creates shipping problems. If it does, I will be more selective, retaining same day for easy to pack items and reverting to one day for other items. 

Again, I do want to stress, these changes I'm testing are just a test, and even if they are successful, they might not be a good fit for other business models.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

60 days is way too long to offer free returns. Especially for your large / fragile items that have high shipping cost based on shipping destination and the extra packing materials needed along with fragile / glass labels if you use them. 

The 60 days return policy will just open up many issues with buyers. I believe you know what I mean. You have been here 1996 selling and have seen all the crazy scenarios. 

Same day shipping is also just not possible! You will kill yourself if you're running to the post office to get packages scanned for acceptance! I don't think just because you printed a label the same day of purchase and then ship within the next day or two meets those criteria. Take in the factor of how eBay looks at same day shipping and the time zone differences.  Open for comments on this from everyone. I'm no expert!

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@sextons-sweet-deals  I do appreciate your input, but as I've been saying, this is just something I'm testing, and I recognize there's an element of risk. If this becomes a problem, as some think it will, I will backtrack. If it proves to be no problem, I'll continue with it. 

And I'm not recommending everyone give this a try. We are all in different situations, with different business models, inventory etc. Even if all the changes I'm working on are successful for me, that doesn't mean they'll be successful for everyone else. 

Again, I do thank you for your input, and as time goes on, I'll be posting about how this is working (or not working LOL)

[slippinjimmy]

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@my-cottage-books-and-antiques wrote:

@az93  Thanks. I have had one day handling for a long time now, and I haven't found it to be particularly stressful. I don't think the change to same day handling is going to increase my stress level, since whenever practical I already ship same day. However, that could change if sales increase this Season to a point where packing becomes a problem. While I'd obviously like to see increased sales, I'm not expecting them to increase to such a point that it creates shipping problems. If it does, I will be more selective, retaining same day for easy to pack items and reverting to one day for other items. 

Again, I do want to stress, these changes I'm testing are just a test, and even if they are successful, they might not be a good fit for other business models.

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I agree that the 30 or 60 day thing is a nothingburger, for many sellers (myself included) the number of returns is so small and those that want to return rarely are waiting more than a couple of days before requesting one.

Personally I would never go for Same Day shipping but it can work for some sellers. One thing for sure if you are using same day make sure to set you cut-off time.

https://www.ebay.com/ship/cutoff

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@slippinjimmy  Thanks. And yes, I have set a cut off time.

[fbusoni]

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@my-cottage-books-and-antiques wrote:

@onefootflipper1  

Each seller should do what they are comfortable with. 

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I find fascinating the amount of resistance here to the idea of returns -- never mind 30 or 60 day returns.  

Clearly not many understand the link between offering such returns and the listing visbility enhancements that we sellers, who offer such returns, receive from eBay.

Not only are we unlikely to get any returns (I have not in many years --- my buyers seem to be normal people who want what I have) but we do not have to pay out of pocket to purchase eBay's software that is supposed to promote our listings.  eBay promotes our listings for free because we are upping our customer service.

The simple fact is that most buyers are rational, normal people who are not looking to buy something only to use it and then return it.   Sure, some categories (like clothing) are more susceptible to such scheming.  But if one goes by the irrational fears expressed here, one would think that this sort of nutty behavior is widespread, when it is not, because its not normal.

And more to the point, if you know what you are doing as a seller on this platform, you should be making sufficient money here to be able to absorb the periodic, outlier fake return that is obviously possible when you offer paid returns.  

I am a harsh critic of eBay, to be sure, but I wonder how much laughter echoes the halls at eBay HQ  when the discussion turns to how many sellers have fallen for the "promoted listings" scheme.

So many sellers seem to be unable to see beyond the ends of their own noses.   I guess that good for those of us who offer paid returns.  

[fbusoni]

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@onefootflipper1 wrote:

Even if I had 60 day returns I would not want to go out of my way to make a big deal about it as I would rather not sell to customers who care about return policies at all.

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Indeed.  Those are the same people who will not hesitate to call in an INAD because you do not offer an easy return path. 

Go figure.

[jg.mason]

I don't think the 60 day returns over the 30 day returns will have much effect one way or the other.

As a buyer the same day shipping would catch my eye, but it has to be easily viewable in your listing.

Good luck, hope you get a lot of sales from it.

[fbusoni]

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@mcdougle4248 wrote:

@my-cottage-books-and-antiques 

I am following along here. This is interesting. Thank you for sharing your insights @fbusoni   

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It's the least I can do. 😊

There is a veritable cornucopia of sclerotic and unreconstructed "thinking" that permeates these boards, even though a careful reading of the official eBay propaganda suggests to those with a discerning eye that eBay goes out of its way to telegraph to sellers that there are rewards available to those who extend themselves just a tiny bit.

Many of those those who stand "on principle" and refuse to offer returns complain about no sales; they are then suckered into buying eBay's PL software, the only guarantee of which is to put money in eBay's bank account.  And once they are hooked, they seem to have great difficulty getting unhooked, lest their sales plummet even further.

Those of us who offer paid returns -- 30 is good but 60 days is even better -- and ship same day / 24 hours get our listings promoted quite aggressively at no charge.   And we rarely if ever get returns because we are attracting normal, rational buyers who are not engaged in premeditated scheming, as so many here seem to believe.

Thanks for the opportunity to exchange ideas.

[fern*wood]

What do you sell?  I realize you don't have to tell me, but I think the return policy decision is dependent on that as much as anything else.

[mcdougle4248]

@fbusoni 

May I ask, what time do you have set for the same-day shipping cut-off?  Do you go to the PO more than once a day? 

[fbusoni]

Of course you may ask.    I am retired with no obligations, grown kids, a dog and no wife, so my day is all my own.

I have a cutoff time that averages at about 3 pm.   If I know that I will be having appointments, I will adjust the cutoff time as many days in advance as is possible.  Fortunately eBay makes this very easy.

And no, I do not go to the post office -- which is a five minute drive -- more than once a day, unless I know that I will be passing by and doing so does not interfere with other activities.

If I was working a full time job, had family responsibilities, and was running around like a crazy person like I did when I was in my 30s and 40s, I would not be able to offer same day shipping.   

But I might be able to offer next day shipping, which I believe is just as good in eBay's eyes, depending on how crazy I wanted to make myself.  😊