So what's the point of giving sellers the option of "No Returns" if we are forced to take them!?!?!

[dcmerc2012]

I sell a lot of vintage cameras and there can be a lot of things wrong with said items that you could not possibly know about unless you shoot a roll of film with them to test EVERYTHING, which is an unrealistic and expensive thing to consider.  As a seller I am given the option of posting an item with the "NO RETURNS" option.... but honestly, what is the point?!?!?!?! 

No matter how clear I make it in the description that this camera is untested and could have issues that I am unaware and is being sold as-is with no returns... I consistently get some schmuck who can't understand that and wants to return it for something that I could not have known about or easily discovered.

So what is the bloody point of even giving me that option on my listing if it means literally NOTHING????!!!!!

If I have learned one thing in the many, many years I have been selling on eBay it is that people are illiterate asshats who completely ignore descriptions that make it very clear that they are buying something that is listed as not returnable. They are always so rude about it as well.

So let's hear it, eBay? What's the point of allowing sellers to list an item as "no returns" when buyers can simply force a return, regardless of how the item was described or listed??? 

And before someone on here decides to play devils advocate and tell me that if I just list it "Broken/For Parts" that it eliminates the buyers ability to return something, let me make it abundantly clear that buyer DO NOT BOTHER TO EVEN LOOK at said listing unless they are looking for a parts item. I have tried listing items as such and make it clear in the description that it is in good shape and appears to be in working order, but the listing will get ZERO views. 

How about eBay actually honor a sellers wishes to not accept returns on items that are listed as NO RETURNS? This should be especially true on items listed in categories such as cameras, electronics and other highly mechanical items that could have small fusses and fouls that the seller is unware of or unable to test. 

Sorry to vent, guys.... but I am really tired of being FORCED to accept a return on something after it has been make clear that it was not returnable. And don't get me started on the whole procedure of "holding" my money while I wait for the whole ridiculous sham to go through it's paces.   

[forgottenape]

so you can test them but you don't. you sell them untested then expect buyers not to return if they don't work. and you think that telling buyers there not tested and sold as is will protect you? have you not been around the last 5 years? looks like big ecommerce has left you behind you need to find a niche site to sell on ebay is not a niche site

[bonjourami]

No returns means no remorse returns..it doesnt mean no refunds for snads.

[oldguy59]

He sells them untested like he said he can not possibly buy a roll of film for every camera in order to test what part is it people can not understand it is untested?

Also I am in agreemant if no returns that exactly what it should stand for

[bonjourami]

"Untested" does not protect the seller from a snad return.

[dcmerc2012]

They are vintage cameras and no, it would be next to impossible to test them without having to spend a great deal of money on film, processes, etc. MOST people who purchase vintage photographic gear understand the risks involved with buying a camera that is 75 years old... others apparently think that vintage or antique is French for "Brand new and works great".

I've not been left behind, common sense has. EBay is so busy making sure that every customer gets every little thing they want that they forget about the Sellers, who are the ones who take the shaft deep and hard. This is the biggest flaw in eBays business model and have little doubt will be what will eventually topple them. They shaft their small volume sellers in order to gain customers praise. This has already begun to drive the small niche sellers (antiques, collectibles, hard to find items, etc) from their ranks. Pretty soon eBay will just be an online bigbox store, selling nothing but Chinese junk in bulk and customers already have plenty of choices online for that type of buying.

EBay became what it is today because of sellers like me, but they are trying so hard to be Amazon they have forgotten that not being Amazon is what has kept them alive for the past 10 years.

[oldguy59]

Well Said!

[ittybitnot]

How about eBay actually honor a sellers wishes to not accept returns on items that are listed as NO RETURNS? 

The no returns choice in the real world is different than on eBay.  The 'no returns' choice as a seller here means only that you don't have to accept returns for such things as "I changed my mind" or "I got one cheaper someplace else" or whatever reasons that eBay considers 'remorse' reasons.

You could even select "accepts returns, buyer pays shipping", but that is different on eBay as well though common sense might suggest otherwise.  A buyer that does not wish to pay for return shipping simply selects a not as described reason, and they don't have to.  It doesn't matter what your description says.  That is not considered once the claim is made.  It is an automated process and eBay does not entertain complaints from sellers about discrepancies anymore. 

You don't have to take returns, but that does not mean you won't be forced to give refunds. 

You can list your items for "parts only, not working" with "no returns" and that won't help you much either. 

As soon as a buyer files for a return and chooses a reason that suggests "item does not match the description" the world here changes.  The buyer does not even have to be telling the truth.  They may just be choosing that to get free return shipping. It doesn't matter.  The results are the same:

You have to accept the return and front a prepaid label (or money for international sales), and refund when the item comes back.  It doesn't matter what is in the parcel that is returned to you, you will be refunding regardless. 

OR

You can simply refund and let the buyer keep the merchandise for free.

If you don't make one of the two selections above, eBay is going to do if for you and give you a performance ding as well as a service metrics defect. 

As a seller on ebay, your "wishes" go down the drain as soon as the complaint is filed.  eBay offers a "money back guarantee" that is basically funded from the seller's proceeds. 

[ittybitnot]

"Untested" does not protect the seller from a snad return.

Actually, neither does "New never used in sealed box with factory warranty"..

[bonjourami]

To sell a vintage camera that possibly does not work and expect the 'untested' to protect you from a return is not reasonable.

[bonjourami]

True enough.

[dcmerc2012]

Actually, it is absolutely reasonable, in the REAL world. In the eBay world it means about as much as the term "seller protection".

[kensgiftshop]

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@oldguy59 wrote:

He sells them untested like he said he can not possibly buy a roll of film for every camera in order to test what part is it people can not understand it is untested?

Also I am in agreemant if no returns that exactly what it should stand for

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If they don't want to test it, sell for parts or repair and say the item doesn't work.

[ittybitnot]

If they don't want to test it, sell for parts or repair and say the item doesn't work.

Unfortunately, that does not help much either.  Your item can be brand new never used and a SNAD can be filed with the seller being "toast".   OLD dirty smelly for parts only doesn't work can have the same results. 

Your description no longer applies.

[this*old*attic]

This isn’t the old EBay, where sellers could optimistically describe merchandise, price it as if it were fine, Pass all gamble to the buyer,send junk and get away with it.

Sellers like you harmed EBay’s reputation and the buying experience so badly that business has tanked, and sellers now labor under Machiavellian service metrics aimed at coaxing back the buyers.

List them for parts, as is approprivate - if that doesn’t leave room for profit, then sell something different.

I’m uninterested in you making your profit at my buyers’ expense. That way of doing business is a dinosaur.