Restocking fee question

[liawri-75]

I remember years ago stores (and online) used to charge restocking fees.  Stores like Best Buy for example.  Whatever happened to restocking fees and can we use it in our return policy?

[fern*wood]

They are no longer allowed, so no you can't add them to your return policy.

[ed8108]

No restocking fee permitted on ebay

Don't you want to encourage buying from you

[bonanza125]

Ebay now encourages buyers to return an item for whatever reason they want basically. Ebay has an issue keeping buyers around already. Restocking fees would detour buyers elsewhere. 

[a_c_green · Accepted solution]

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@liawri-75 wrote:

I remember years ago stores (and online) used to charge restocking fees.  Stores like Best Buy for example.  Whatever happened to restocking fees and can we use it in our return policy?

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As with the replies above, my understanding is that restocking fees are no longer allowed, but then I came across this seller: "If buyer is returning item due to buying wrong part, item not fitting, fitment issues, changing mind, or just not wanting item, they are subject to a 25% restocking fee."

It's at the bottom of every listing I checked from that seller. I'm not naming and shaming here, but it was brought to my attention by @seller_news_team in a recent "Meet a Seller" posting of theirs. Perhaps the restocking fee is allowed under some circumstances...?

[liawri-75]

So it's "possible" for specific & certain items.  Hmmm.....I may try it and see what happens.

[kensgiftshop]

No, it's not possible for any items.

[lacemaker3]

Restocking fees are not allowed.

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https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/handle-return-request-seller?id=4115

What to do if an item is returned used or damaged

Once you receive the item back, you need to refund the buyer. However, if the item has been used, altered or damaged, it may be appropriate to deduct an amount from the buyer's refund to cover the loss in the item's value.

If the return is eligible, you'll see the option to deduct a specific amount or a percentage when you refund the buyer through the return request. Once you've sent the refund, we'll keep the return open for up to 10 days so that we can help the buyer if they ask us to step in, but because you're protected there's nothing more for you to do.

See our seller protections for full details of eligibility and how we protect you in these situations. Keep in mind that you're not eligible for fee credits when you deduct from the buyer's refund for a return that was used, altered or damaged, and you’ll no longer see this option if eBay steps in to help with the return.

How to deduct from the buyer's refund when the item is returned in a different condition

Guidelines for how much to deduct from the refund

Misuse of this protection

Sellers may only deduct an amount from the buyer's refund in order to recover lost value when an item is returned used, altered or damaged. Sellers may not use this protection to recoup market losses on items returned in the same condition or recoup return postage and/or restocking costs.

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[a_c_green]

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@lacemaker3 wrote:

Restocking fees are not allowed.

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Ayup, that's what I have understood was the rule (for quite a few years now), which is why I was surprised when looking at listings from that seller that had a huge flattering writeup by @seller_news_team just a week or so back. I'm wondering whether anyone actually looked at their items before posting the article...?

[fern*wood]

I would say it is a long time seller that still has the old verbiage in their listings.  I doubt ebay ever looks, but we know that stuff isn't enforceable.   I still see things in listings stating my responsibility ends when I hand the package over to the postal service or I'll accept a return only if I make a mistake (when they have a return policy) and others.  I've also seen the restocking threat, but wondered how they would pull that off even if allowed.   All those things make me back out of listings, though.  I guess those sellers just don't realize that.

[itsjustasprain]

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@fern*wood wrote:

I've also seen the restocking threat, but wondered how they would pull that off even if allowed.

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I imagine they leave that in place to deter serial returners. You probably do not get a slap for simply having that in your listing - and if you did deduct 25% from a buyer refund it would probably still not get noticed (as a Restocking Fee) unless the buyer makes a fuss to Ebay about it.