Returns

[bellafortuna50]

Just had a return of this dress I sold. Before she purchased the dress she asked questions regarding the dress which I answered then she purchased the dress. Now she is returning it saying she did not like it. What should I do? 

Thank you

[bonjourami]

Since you have thirty day returns,with seller paying return fee, just accept it.

[dhbookds]

You have free returns on the listings I saw.........  that means a buyer can return something for any reason......and you pay for the return label so you have no choice except to accept the return......

[fbusoni · Accepted solution]

As @bonjourami notes.   Accept the return, and then you can resell the dress. 

In my opinion, you are doing the right thing as a seller. People who buy merchandise online should have an easy way of returning it if for some reason it’s not suitable for them.   

In my experience on this platform, if a seller handles a return properly and professionally (i.e., without sending the buyer a message asking what the problem is), they can often end up having the same buyer come back and purchase something else.  

I also am convinced that eBay monitors the way sellers manage returns. The less extraneous communication you have with a buyer, the less ambiguity and delay there is in the return process, the greater the likelihood that eBay will credit you with invisible points that will work to your advantage in the future should, for example, you have a dispute with a buyer, and eBay has to make a judgment in whose favor to rule.

Yes… that is indeed how eBay works, even though it’s not advertised.

[mtgraves7984]

Approve the Return. Your buyer will be issued a shipping label and you'll refund in full when you get your dress back. 🙌

[fern*wood]

As mentioned, if it has free returns, all you need to do is issue the label and wait for it to arrive back to you and then refund.

[jman0312]

Accepting the return is horrible advice...especially for the reason the buyer gave. You should only offer returns for logical reasons such as defective or not as described. Why should you lose money to get it shipped back to you? Allowing returns for buyer simply not liking it just undermines the whole system here, making $, not losing $. Now the same buyer can buy from you again just to do the same thing to you, cost you money for nothing in return....what a deal!!

[chapeau-noir]

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@jman0312 wrote:

Accepting the return is horrible advice...especially for the reason the buyer gave. You should only offer returns for logical reasons such as defective or not as described. Why should you lose money to get it shipped back to you? Allowing returns for buyer simply not liking it just undermines the whole system here, making $, not losing $. Now the same buyer can buy from you again just to do the same thing to you, cost you money for nothing in return....what a deal!!

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The OP has free returns - they have no choice but to take the return.

ETA: OP - Maybe get rid of the 'free' returns and just go to 30-day. If you want to have a "free" thing, try free shipping instead.

[inhawaii]

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@jman0312 wrote:

Accepting the return is horrible advice...especially for the reason the buyer gave. 

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Why is it horrible advice when the seller chose to ACCEPTS FREE RETURNS?

[hartungcards]

Telling @fbusoni that accepting the return is horrible advice, is horrible advice.

[bonjourami]

"Accepting the return is horrible advice...especially for the reason the buyer gave. You should only offer returns for logical reasons such as defective or not as described. Why should you lose money to get it shipped back to you? "

No its not, its perfect advice, free returns means the op accepts returns for any reason.

[kensgiftshop]

You offer free returns so buyers can return for any/no reason.

[kensgiftshop]

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@jman0312 wrote:

Accepting the return is horrible advice...especially for the reason the buyer gave. You should only offer returns for logical reasons such as defective or not as described. Why should you lose money to get it shipped back to you? Allowing returns for buyer simply not liking it just undermines the whole system here, making $, not losing $. Now the same buyer can buy from you again just to do the same thing to you, cost you money for nothing in return....what a deal!!

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Seller decided to offer free returns, so nothing they can do but accept the return and pay shipping back.

At least the buyer was honest, they could have filed an INAD.

[fbusoni]

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@jman0312 wrote:

Accepting the return is horrible advice...especially for the reason the buyer gave. You should only offer returns for logical reasons such as defective or not as described. Why should you lose money to get it shipped back to you? Allowing returns for buyer simply not liking it just undermines the whole system here, making $, not losing $. Now the same buyer can buy from you again just to do the same thing to you, cost you money for nothing in return....what a deal!!

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@jman0312 

(NOTE: I am using a few precious minutes of my time to respond to you solely for the benefit of new sellers who may read this thread.)

Incorrect.  "I don't like it" is a "logical reason" if you are a consumer, and given that eBay obviously is consumer-centric.

Indeed, in my personal opinion, accepting the return for that particular reason is in fact the best option for a seller because it means that the buyer is quite likely an honest individual and that you, the seller, are therefore far more likely than not to receive the item back in the same condition it was when shipped... which of course means you can re-list it and find a new buyer.   

If one were to follow your exceptionally poor advice (and looking at your listings, I can see why you are reluctant to give your buyers the benefit of the doubt -- I wouldn't either, but then again I would not sell to males in the 15-35 age range (Google it)), one would end up quite possibly antagonizing a buyer and risk getting eBay involved… which as we all know invariably results in a much, much worse outcome for the seller.  

Now, it seems to me that if a seller has to fret over the prospect of losing a few bucks once in a blue moon because of return postage, then I’d reckon (a) they have a cash flow problem and (b) their margins are slim to none (and that in turn indicates an unsatisfactory business model / lack of business acumen). 

As for the preposterous notion that "allowing returns for buyer simply not liking it just undermines the whole system here, making $, not losing $"...  keep in mind that by accepting remorse returns,  a seller is showing the sort of flexibility that rational consumers expect and appreciate.  It is the sort of behavior that instills trust in people.  

In 26 years of selling here, I've had two remorse returns,  and both items were returned to me and sold anew shortly thereafter.   Far from being "undermined," the "system here" has worked brilliantly for me.

And as I note above, eBay takes note of that level of customer service and rewards it (take note of Section 4 of the eBay user agreement) ... and to my mind, that is especially important, where one is competing quite intensely for attention on a platform that is known for all manner of thievery and malevolence.  

[katertot1372]

Selling clothing on Ebay or online is difficult because you never know if it will fit the buyer exactly how they want. I've tried selling new clothing and items still get returned. Part of the deal so you must decide if you want to deal with the headaches.