Selling As Is

[electroubleshooter]

what's the best way to sell as is? If I list it as is it looks like the buyer can still return it and I have to pay the return shipping.

So am I better off listing it as with a 30 day return policy and the seller pays for returns?

[ckimodog]

@electroubleshooter 

Good morning-

Selling something "as is" just doesn't really fly anymore.  The Ebay Money Back Guarantee will no doubt trump that description.  As you stated, the best thing you can do with any item you are listing is to offer Free returns up to 30 days.  And yes, you pay for the label.  That way if the buyer doesn't ship it back, you're covered. 

Happy Selling and Happy Thanksgiving! 🍗 

[ittybitnot]

what's the best way to sell as is? If I list it as is it looks like the buyer can still return it and ....

@electroubleshooter 

Basically, it does not matter if you are selling "as is", "for parts only", or a brand new never opened item. The same rules apply.  If a buyer wants to return something, it can be accomplished with a "not as described" reason chosen from the dropdown menu.  At that point your description no longer matters, it will never again be considered (to be true or false), and any photos you included will never be looked at again.  

The automated system takes over and there will be nobody to judge or decide the veracity of any claim made by the buyer.  On eBay, it becomes the "truth", and the outcome predetermined.   eBay CS is no longer allowed to intervene in the 'predetermined' path. 

A simplified look at return policies and how they work. 

a)  No returns
A seller is given the opportunity to deny an eBay return request ONLY if the buyer chooses from the dropdown menu a reason that is considered a 'remorse' reason. These may include such things as I changed my mind, found it cheaper, the plate doesn't match my rug, etc. 

A buyer can then pursue other avenues by claiming "not as described" with their payment provider.  PayPal will require the buyer to return it at their expense, a c.card provider may or may not require a return at all before the buyer is refunded (from your proceeds). 

A "no returns" policy is sometimes advantageous for a seller who sells items that are authenticated, as in some circumstances they become a 'final sale'. 

b) accept returns, buyer pays shipping (select days)

When this option is selected, a seller takes returns for any reason.  The 'buyer pays shipping' part ONLY applies to those that a 'remorse' reason was selected.  The seller pays for any 'not as described' choices made by the buyer.  It can be tricky sometimes. 

For example,  if the buyer says and chooses (from the menu) didn't fit, that is considered a remorse reason, and the buyer must pay to return.  If the buyer chooses "doesn't match the description" and states doesn't fit, the same claim for the same item becomes by default a 'not as described' reason the the seller must fund the return or suffer the consequences. 

It is not a surprise that  buyers know how to get the return paid by the seller.  In the example of your "as is", and it is described exactly, the buyer can still file a 'doesn't match the description' claim and the auto system clicks in with the same predictable outcome.  It this case, it doesn't matter what they send back,  the seller refunds in full. 

c) Free returns  (select days)  

The seller must issue a label  or fund a return when the return request is made for any reason.  Buyers can still file 'not as described' claims or changed my mind after they have used your product for a while. The seller pays for the return shipping either way.  

The only advantage of this is that (if other qualifications are met) the seller may deduct up to 50% of the item price when giving a refund if the item is returned in a different condition.  That way, if you sell a $1000 bracelet, and the buyer sends back a rubber band instead, you only have to refund $500.  

Though my descriptions above ^^^^ are rather simplistic, I hope it helps you decide which is best for your business. 

[electroubleshooter]

So a buyer can receive my item, tear it up or break it, then send it back. I still have to return half their money?

Why would they be entitled to any money?

Thanks

[sapphire_studio]

The only protection against scammers is that eventually if they do it enough supposedly eBay will cut them off and ban them from buying on that account. But yeah the system in eBay is setup so scammers can scam very very easily. I know from personal experience If someone files a false INAD and then only returns a fraction of the original lot, AND you have video proof, eBay will just lecture you that it is the cost of doing business ( And not even report that buyer).

[ms.rodriguez*]

No such thing as is as the others have told.  I recommend that you do NOT sell stuff if you don't know if it works.  Stuff like that is often returned because the buyer thinks that they can fix it.  If the item does NOT work, you write DOES NOT WORK in many places in your ad including the title. You also write GOOD FOR PART ONLYS.   You might still get a return on such an item because the scam buyer took out the part that he/she needed.

One motto to follow is to NEVER list anything online that requires electronic payment if you can NOT afford to lose it.   

Clothing is very tricky to list.  Always include measurements.  Take clear photos.  You can now have up to 24 photos in a listing.   Even with measurements, the item might not look right or fit right on the buyer and they will want to return it.  

[fab_finds4u]

Everything is as is or else it would be as isn't. 

If you are trying to say as is to dissuade someone from returning an item they think is not as described it won't work. They can return it.  It also gives the impression an item has problems and you're selling it with problems, therefore it's "as is."  A lot of sellers like to say as is when they have an electronic item like a cb radio they can't check to make sure it works.  If it doesn't work after they check it out they can force you to refund. 

[a_c_green]

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@electroubleshooter wrote:

what's the best way to sell as is?

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In person. "As-Is" is not an on-line sales term, for the simple reason that the buyer cannot inspect it before purchase. It cannot be sold "as is" on-line, because the buyer has no way of determining what the meaning of the word "is" is. 😉

You need to put up an accurate description of its current condition: whether it's working, if there is any damage (cosmetic or otherwise), etc. If the buyer receives it and does not agree with your description, he can file a Not As Described dispute, and you can choose to refund either with or without having the item returned to you first (your choice).

[buyselljack2016]

 Because this is eBay, and that is how it works here.

I for years, did "no returns", with the idea that the buyer would look harder, consider what it was they were actually buying, and thus reduce return requests.

I have few returns. I don't know if it was my listing statement making the buyer think before buying, or just the fact that what I sold was well described, and not defective.

I have started switching my listings over to "accepts returns"... buyer pays return shipping. (I know that only applies to "remorse" returns). I have had an increase in return requests, but they have been "remorse", so that, even though it has been an increase, has been OK for me.

Buyer pays return shipping. I am allowed to deduct the initial shipping. Also as "top rated, accepting returns" I would be able to take a deduction for buyer damage/swaps.

"Free returns", seller pays return shipping (free return shipping for any reason) is not in my "business model".

"Free returns" is an invite for a buyer to a "no cost, no obligation",  just buy something, and then have it automatically approved to send back without even bothering to consider what they are buying.

Free returns may be almost essential for some categories, and those sellers must work their returns costs into their pricing.

[johnrj1226]

1.  Used (a.k.a.pre-owned) items - need to be fully functional and operational. 

2.  eBay does not  have a condition definition  for  "as is" .  eBay "Money Back Guarantee" give 30 days protection (call it a warranty or guarantee0  items but you can offer an  with a condition of  "For parts or not working".  Read this  link for conditions definition by item category.

https://www.ebay.com/help/creating-managing-listings/listings/selling/item-conditions-category?id=47...

[iart]

Free returns is the best way to go. We sell about 1500 items a year and only get 1 or 2 returns. They also say it gives you a boost in visibility.

And I think you're overly worried about  crooked buyers. Buyers have a lot more to worry about with crooked sellers.

[ittybitnot]

Why would they be entitled to any money?

@electroubleshooter 

Ethically and morally they would not be entitled.  Unfortunately, the eBay policies and the bots they use to enforce said policies do not operate with regards to ethics or morals and not are not able consider such concepts.  That requires HUMANS, and humans are basically no longer allowed to intervene.  The policies are designed to protect eBay first, and buyers second.  A byproduct of the "buyer" segment also includes by default liar buyers and scammers. 

The option to return up to half the money was a more recent concept given to TRS sellers and others that offer free returns.  I would imagine that many sellers simply refused to sell items that they could no longer afford to lose, and this was a carrot/stick approach to perhaps entice them to come back and sell again. eBay will actually fund and  refund the other 50% of the money to the buyer if they complain. 

Just about any item can be had for free (at the seller's expense)  on this venue with the right kind of phony claim.  The procedures are designed to limit the monetary risk for eBay. Only a seller can decide what is an acceptable risk for themselves, but the said seller should be informed exactly how the policies are applied. 

[coolections]

Ebay stopped the as-is scam years ago. No such thing.

[coolections]

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@electroubleshooter wrote:

So a buyer can receive my item, tear it up or break it, then send it back. I still have to return half their money?

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No. You have to return ALL his money. The good news is 99.999% of people would just return it as you sent it. No need to destroy it.

[mtgraves7984]

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@electroubleshooter wrote:

So a buyer can receive my item, tear it up or break it, then send it back. I still have to return half their money?

Why would they be entitled to any money?

Thanks

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@electroubleshooter 

They'd be entitled to a full refund per eBay. You don't have the ability to reduce the amount of their refund unless you're a seller who offers Free Returns or a TRS with 30-Day (or better) Returns. I happen to use 30-Day (Buyer pays) Returns, but I very rarely have them at all.