TRS and partial returns?

[quadcitypickers]

I had a few high-volume sellers talk me into trying to attain Top Rated Plus for final value fee discounts, ability to deduct up to 50% on returns, etc.

So far it's been a nightmare. People treat me like Walmart and I've had 6 returns in just a week, all for "just didn't like it" or "changed mind".

I asked politely why they were returning and if I could help. 

4 ignored me, 1 closed the return, and 1 said "I don't need to, are your broke or something?".

Someone said "not every item has to have returns enabled", but I don't think that's true, is it?

I think people who have fewer of the free returns sell vintage or older items, I sell about 75% or so brand new items.

Should I keep trying to make TRS, or is it not worth the headache? 

[caldreamer]

Personally, I would never offer "free returns" as I believe it encourages more returns (at the Seller's expense).  I see you are selling some "used tools" (customer could use them for 29 days and then get "free returns").  Sounds like a lending library to me.

[jonathanbrightlight]

So you're actually discussing two different things.

Top Rated Seller is a seller level that you reach by meeting criteria related to shipping, cancellations, etc.  You can see those requirements you'd have to meet here: https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/protections/top-rated-program

Being Top Rated is supposed to give you "enhanced visibility in eBay search results and exclusive seller protections", according to that article.  One of those protections, the only one I'm really familiar with that I can think of, is that if you are a Top Rated Seller and offer 30 Day Returns (either Free Returns, meaning you pay for the return shipping label, OR Buyer-Paid Returns), you can deduct up to 50% off of returns if you receive the item back in a different condition than when you sent it.  Above Average sellers can do that too, but only if they offer 30 Day Free Returns.  If you have different return policies on different items, only the ones that meet that requirement will have the option to deduct from a return if needed.

Top Rated Plus is a designation for specific listings.  You have to be a Top Rated Seller in order for your listings to be marked as Top Rated Plus, but you can be a Top Rated Seller without any of your listings being Top Rated Plus if you like.  Top Rated Plus requires that you offer "Same or one-business-day handling, and a 30-day-or-longer free return period." That will get you the 10% discount off your Final Value Fees you mentioned, on whichever listings qualify.  There are also a few categories in which you don't have to offer 30 day returns and you can still get the discount, though it won't display the Top Rated Plus badge on those listings.  

That's actually on the same link, at the bottom of the page.

[fern*wood]

I think those high volume sellers failed to explain some details for you.  Offering free returns isn't for everyone, but it's really not fair to buyers to question them about their return reasons, since you offered the policy on your listing they are permitted to return for any or no reason at all. 

Also you don't get any benefits for offering free returns on a listing unless you are a top rated seller.  I don't see that you are a top rated seller.   Once you qualify as a top rated seller, then you can adjust any listing you wish to qualify for the top rated plus benefits.   If you get a lot of returns, the discount may not be worth the expense of paying for the returns.  Also, I see you offer free initial shipping (this isn't required either), but it does make your losses add up.

This should help clear things up for you and you can let those high volume sellers know too.

Top Rated Seller Program

Also, ebay just announced some of those benefits will be changing shortly.  I know the bad feedback removal was mentioned. 

[quadcitypickers]

Do you know which categories? 

[quadcitypickers]

So if I'm understanding correctly, top rated is a status and Top Rated PLUS is on an item-by-item basis?

So don't turn on free returns until I reach top rated?

[jonathanbrightlight]

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@quadcitypickers wrote:

So if I'm understanding correctly, top rated is a status and Top Rated PLUS is on an item-by-item basis?

So don't turn on free returns until I reach top rated?

---

Yes, that's correct.  That doesn't mean Free Returns couldn't offer you other benefits, like customers being more confident about buying from you and thus increasing sales, but you'd have to decide for yourself if that's something you want to do.  It won't provide you with any discounts on the FVFs unless you're a Top Rated Seller AND your listing qualifies for Top Rated Plus.

[buyselljack2016]

and as an aside when offering "free returns" (seller pays)(for any reason)

the description

No refunds given for not checking fitment. 

is meaningless

[kabilab]

Quad, my primary product is DVDs. My philosophy for most of  life's situations is that I would rather try and fail than to wonder "what if." I tried free returns and my rate of sales noticeably increased and my returns decreased. I am unable to definitively explain why. It could have been that buyers felt more comfortable, but that is strictly a guess.

[quadcitypickers]

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@buyselljack2016 wrote:

and as an aside when offering "free returns" (seller pays)(for any reason)

the description

No refunds given for not checking fitment. 

is meaningless

---

It's to scare people off who don't check things. I sold 2 car parts of which each model, say for example only a Ford Focus, has a 2.4L Engine, well they complained it didn't fit their 2.0L Engine, when if they actually put that in the compatibility tool, would have seen it would not have fit, and the part numbers are different too.

[chapeau-noir]

You don't have to apply the free returns TRS Plus for everything - it's a listing by listing designation, so you can have it on those listings that are not in return-heavy categories and skip it on things that are. 

[buyselljack2016]

OK, I understand that logic. Just wanted to be sure that you understood😊

I used to have a "no returns" policy as a deterrent to those that would just buy and hope for the best. (and for those that will reply, yes, I knew that they could do NAD to get around my policy to return anything)

Probably reduced purchases as much as it did returns. After many, many years (about 20) I finally got it through my head that a "no returns" was not such a great policy but will probably never succumb to the "free returns" logic.