Returns out of hand and on increase

[goldrushfinds]

Anyone else getting a sharp increase in returns. I have had one after another over the past 2 weeks. One where they returned a different item. Another where they state shorts are not pleated and photos show distinct pleats. Another where they wear the shoes for 2 weeks, dirty them up and ask for a return. Lastly, a Pottery Barn drape where the manufacturer color is stated and buyer says color is wrong. This is unsustainable if one is trying to make any reasonable amount of money. How do you guys make any kind of good financial return, based on hours invested. Walmart greater is sounding better all the time. 

[katzrul15]

---

@goldrushfinds wrote:

Anyone else getting a sharp increase in returns. I have had one after another over the past 2 weeks. One where they returned a different item. Another where they state shorts are not pleated and photos show distinct pleats. Another where they wear the shoes for 2 weeks, dirty them up and ask for a return. Lastly, a Pottery Barn drape where the manufacturer color is stated and buyer says color is wrong. This is unsustainable if one is trying to make any reasonable amount of money. How do you guys make any kind of good financial return, based on hours invested. Walmart greater is sounding better all the time. 

---

@goldrushfinds 

Based on the threads on this board and the Returns board, it appears there is an uptick - but for us personally, we are not in Return-Hades at the moment.  Could change at any time.

A lot of fraud out there and also people who are buying on the mobile app, not reading a description, making assumptions from just the pix, etc.  The 24 pix expansion could not be coming at a better time - especially as Buyers tend to not read and only look at the pix to make a buying decision.

So sorry about your Buyer return rash.  My advice is that the rash is made tolerable by some chocolate and a brewski or two.  (Usually not together, but if that eases the rash, why not?)  Hang in there!

Katz

[earthdreamer]

How do you guys make any kind of good financial return, based on hours invested. 

Simple answer - I don't.

If anyone knew just how much time I take on a listing, then on packing and sending, they would think me a fool, at the very least. 

It's a tough world, selling on ebay, but some sellers manage to do it quite successfully. 

I guess if you have enough sales, a few returns can easily be absorbed. It is more difficut with a limited inventory. 

[goldrushfinds]

Thanks. A degree of sedation is always an option. Sometimes I think I will go crazy with these returns. Seems half the people don't look at all the pictures and never read the description. All that time just seems wasted.

[goldrushfinds]

I don't think I am long for the Ebay world. Diminishing returns along with increased frustration is a bad combination. I can't afford to allocate so much time to it, for the measly returns. 

[earthdreamer]

I don't think I am long for the Ebay world. Diminishing returns along with increased frustration is a bad combination. I can't afford to allocate so much time to it, for the measly returns. 

Normally I would concur, and be on my way out the door.

For now I am sticking to ebay, primarily because I am well-established here, and starting up anywhere else would require the obligatory learning curve and time to accrue a good reputation. 

Just treading water until I feel ready to explore other options. 

[octa-hex]

The best way to deal with this is to offer free returns. That way you can deduct up to 50%  of the value of the item. But be honest and don't misuse this policy. You don't even have to be a Top Rated Seller. Just free 30 days returns and have seller level as above standard. Yes, returns are on rise due to most buyers thinks that eBay is same as amazon, but fail to understand that not all sellers are corporation rather an individual trying to make a living in this tough time.

[gamersbaystore]

It probably doesn't help that ebay literally encourages buyers to return every item they purchase. Go buy anything on ebay then look at your purchase history. What does it say? Highlighted in bold letters on the right side of every transaction it states "Return This Item."

To top it all off, ebay then punishes the seller, charging them inflated fees because too many buyers lied about the reasons for their returns. That's apparently the sellers fault.

I offer free returns, the buyers still lie anyway. I've had buyer after buyer this year make up lies and excuses to beg for a refund, with no intention of returning anything.

ebay enables and encourages the sociopathic behavior we see from buyers today. The buyers believe they're entitled to rip you off and get everything they want for free, and ebay helps them to do it.

ebay's policies are literally designed to ensure you fail. I'm done with this platform myself, winding down my store as the year ends and listing all my inventory on other platforms that don't cause me the headaches ebay does.

[goldrushfinds]

Ebay used to be fun, not anymore. It is long past that time. Now, more days than not, I find myself frustrated and somewhat angry. That's why I think I will stop selling here, unless things take a turn for the better. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

I deal by doing the opposite of what someone above mentioned.  I am & have always been No Returns.  I have tested it a few times & have never noticed a difference in sales.  So, each time I happily went back to no returns.  

While it won't help for fake SNAD's, I typically only get a couple of those a year.   Being no returns, for me, means that I almost never even asked.  Again, a few times a year.  

I haven't noticed any increase.  I got a request the other week, but it was my first request in months & I declined it.   Have you ever tried No Returns?  I know for some it doesn't work, but it's always worked great for me. 

[earthdreamer]

It probably doesn't help that ebay literally encourages buyers to return every item they purchase. Go buy anything on ebay then look at your purchase history. What does it say? Highlighted in bold letters on the right side of every transaction it states "Return This Item."

Yes, I got a shock when I noticed this the other day. The Return button is so obvious and inviting, I was almost tempted to click on it myself. 

[goldrushfinds]

Haven't tried it, but will definitely consider it. I am almost afraid to check messages everyday, as the number of returns have been ridiculous. All returns were for things already shown or stated in the listing. Arghhhh.......

[gamersbaystore]

Agreed! The selling experience on ebay today is a total nightmare, far from the fun selling adventures I endured a decade ago.

Besides all the psychotic policies ebay forces upon its sellers, its no longer profitable to even sell here at all. I'm in the negative month after month this entire year.

ebay's policies make it literally impossible to operate a business here any longer. I'm sick and tired of the garbage estimated delivery dates ebay feeds buyers, the constant influx of INR's and ebay forcing us to refund the buyer and let them keep our product, and if we dont we get a strike against our accounts.

If ebay didn't lie to buyers with junk delivery estimates and actually honored our shipping polices, INR's would be slim to none.

I finally had enough of it! Now when buyers file INR's and receive my product I give them one opportunity to pay up. If they refuse, they get reported for mail fraud. Theft is theft, buyers are not entitled to anything for free, the laws of this nation make that perfectly clear.

I'm sorry to tell ebay, but I am not in the business of giving away product for free.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

---

@goldrushfinds wrote:

Haven't tried it, but will definitely consider it. I am almost afraid to check messages everyday, as the number of returns have been ridiculous. All returns were for things already shown or stated in the listing. Arghhhh.......

---

What can it hurt?  Just like I've tried turning ON Returns Allowed for 30 or 60 days, try the opposite.  Then put whatever time period you decide (I'd reccomend 60 days for a fair trial) & see how feel about it, at the end of that time period. 

[blue_sky_radio]

"I am & have always been No Returns."

Same here, knock on wood. 

On my listings, in all caps: NO RETURNS - NO EXCEPTIONS

This may not work for everyone, but in 262 sales this year - only one return.

I also write detailed descriptions, lots of pics and often a video of the item in operation.

Good luck to all sellers!