eBay

giant_fan · ‎10-25-2020

I sell a number of used car parts via EBAY. This is a recent addition to my stock.

In spite of my attempts to take good pictures and warn customers in my listings,

I get a number of return requests because the item doesn't fit.

I have even had a customer who purchased a driver-side rear-view mirror request a return because she

actually need a passenger-side mirror. The listing clearly stated driver-side mirror.

I am willing to take returns such as this, but want to recover my shipping costs.

I offer free shipping on my car parts, as I find this helps sales.

EBAY does not offer me a way to recover the shipping costs now that I have been switched to managed payments.

The result is I reject returns, and customers are unhappy.

Any way around this?

mtgraves7984 · ‎10-25-2020

Restocking fees were disallowed long before MP was implemented. Your Returns policy and the reason for a Return request determine if you can recoup shipping costs... also established before MP.

No Returns does not mean 'no refunds'. Good luck.

penguins_dont_fly · ‎10-25-2020

@giant_fan

As mtgraves pointed out, restocking fees have not been allowed for a while now ... it was part of the Spring 2018 Seller Update

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/seller-updates/2018-spring/simplified-returns.html

Nothing to do with Managed Payments.

The only time a seller can deduct an amount from a refund is if the item is returned in a different condition. The seller must be TRS or offer Free Returns.

Here is the help page for Returns ... which are now almost fully automated as of the latest Seller Update:

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/service-and-payments/returns.html

eTRS sellers and sellers who offer free returns can now offer partial refunds, up to 50%, if the item is returned in a condition different than when you shipped it.

The buyer can appeal this partial refund.

penguins_dont_fly is a Volunteer Community Mentor
Buying and Selling since 2013

pburn · ‎10-25-2020

@giant_fan wrote:
EBAY does not offer me a way to recover the shipping costs now that I have been switched to managed payments.

@giant_fan

@mtgraves7984 and @penguins_dont_fly already responded to your post, but I prepared this fabulous response and then was called away from my computer before I could post it. I'm not wasting all the eloquent prose and in-depth research I've composed, so, by golly, I'm posting it anyway. At least with all three of us agreeing on the answer, you can rest assured it's the truth as we know it. 😂

As stated, your return policy dictates whether you have to pay for return shipping on remorse returns. It has nothing to do with Managed Payments.

@giant_fan wrote:
Any way around this?

You have "free returns" on some of your listings the automotive category. You could switch to a "buyer-paid returns" policy for remorse returns. Of course, all sellers are responsible for return shipping on a SNAD filing, unless you choose to refund the buyer and allow him/her to keep the item.

As a TRS, if you choose to offer 30-day or longer returns--whether fee or buyer-paid--you'll have a bit of extra seller protection in regard to false SNAD returns and "up to 50% refund deduction for decreased value on used or damaged returns." Something to factor into your decision, perhaps.

mtgraves7984 · ‎10-25-2020

@pburn

Very eloquent and in-depth! A pleasure to read, too, I might add.

@giant_fan

Cliff Notes: Revisit your Return policy.

We're allowed so few seller protections... use all that are available.

fern*wood · ‎10-25-2020

For items where fit is such an important factor, I can't imagine not offering a return policy. That is the only way a buyer can return with the option of giving an honest reason why. They can be required to pay the return shipping and you can deduct the initial shipping if you charged it. I seldom offer free shipping for this reason since almost all of my returns are for remorse.

If you must offer free shipping to compete, then you have to work in the extra cost. If it has helped you make more sales, then hopefully that profit will cover the occasional loss on a return.

pburn · ‎10-25-2020

@mtgraves7984 wrote:
@pburn
Very eloquent and in-depth! A pleasure to read, too, I might add.

@giant_fan
Cliff Notes: Revisit your Return policy.
We're allowed so few seller protections... use all that are available.

@mtgraves7984

Hey! I live in the same town as the founder of Cliff's Notes--Cliff Hillegass, now deceased--did for most of his life. True story!