There's an epidemic of buyers not reading the conditions/item specifics. What's going on?

[alwaysauthentic1]

I would say that nearly 50% of my items that are being sold under For Parts or Not Working are returned because the buyer claims that they thought they were working. And the buyer files a return putting in defective or missing parts, etc, everytime.

Does anyone know what's going on?

Are the buyers truly not seeing this or is it just a scam so they can check out and/or pick over the item and if it's not a simple fix (even though I'm typically overly thorough as to what the problem is), lie and say that they didn't know that it wasn't working?

The same thing happen with items I have listed that are working, but are missing an accessory or something that I explain in the condition/item specifics.

And each time this happens this costs me shipping both ways. I'm not a huge seller or anything, but I'm losing about $200 a month for the last 3 months because of this.

Is anyone else running into this? And does anyone have any theories as to what's going on. And is there any way I can get my shipping costs back when this happens. I offer free returns, but there's no way in hell it should be covered due to people buying items without reading the condition/item specifics

I even tried putting various issues in the titles, but then eBay pulled a listing and sent me a warning not to do that. So what are my options... only sell new items without condition/item specifics and find some other place to sell any New Other/used/fixing or for parts/missing accessory items? 

[ittybitnot]

Does anyone know what's going on?

Buyers are not required to read.  Depending on the device used to view an item or purchase, the description may not even be displayed.  An ebay buyer can return anything for free simply be claiming something is wrong or missing in the item.  The claim need not have any basis in fact.    In addition, you have a new seller performance metric that tracts "returns" and counts them even if the item is NOT returned.  Good luck with this. 

[softersilk]

You will drastically improve the readability of your listings if you:

• Stop using that huge template with those borders
• Strip all unnecessary language from the listings, especially the language that makes you sound desperate
• Don't rely on photos to tell the story ("Comes in a Zeepad box, but it's not the original box (comes with all that is in the photos)."
• Use and understand mobile optimization best practices.

Sellers who refuse to modernize their old templates that used to work well years ago are their own worst enemies.  

If you want buyers to read, make it readable, no matter how the shopper is browsing.  Throw away everything you know about how to list from the day you started and write like the big mainstream ecommerce sites do it.

White background

Black font

Common fonts, sized about 12-14

Bullets with short phrases

Detail every item included in the listing

And throw away everything extraneous and pleas and all information that is included elsewhere.  

Trying to prevent scammers by shouting about no partial refunds, etc is futile. Instead, learn best practices and perhaps use some security techniques that you never tried before.

[*madison]

It might have something to do with phones.

I usually use my laptop for ebay, but I searched for an item on my phone last week and I couldn't find a description, so I had to use my laptop to view the item again and read the description.

[kensgiftshop]

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@alwaysauthentic1 

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I looked at your sold listing for the toaster oven.

In the description, it mentions everything it has or does, but doesn't say anything about the oven not working or being sold for parts.

[goodluckselling]

  I looked at your last 4 sold items that have a condition of for parts only

1. Sony SRS-XB30 Extra Bass - You have 12 pictures showing two devices when you are only selling one device
2. Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven - you are saying for parts only and also saying appears to be new and unused
3. Lenovo Mirage Solo - once again for parts only and also appears to be new and unused
4. Turtle Beach Ear Force -  For parts only but some of this item works perfectly.

If you are going to sell these items as for parts only I would suggest quit using lots of detailed condition notes.  This in my opinion is confusing although you do explain it well it gives valid reasons for buyers to claim not as described because of the various condition evauations you are doing on the products.

Anything that is for parts only you should not also be giving other areas of the item conditions at all.  If the item is for parts only then make that the only condition.

You are trying to get as much for the damaged items as possible by including a lot of extra details.  I get it, but it is causing problems. 

Since you are located in a medium sized city and only about an hour from Boston I would list this stuff (for parts only) as for pick up only, which will give you a chance to talk to your buyers before they take possession of your damaged for parts only items.

Good Luck Selling!

[clearsphere]

I didn't look at your listings, but if I sell as is/parts/repair etc. I put all that in the title too.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@*madison wrote:

It might have something to do with phones.

I usually use my laptop for ebay, but I searched for an item on my phone last week and I couldn't find a description, so I had to use my laptop to view the item again and read the description.

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I think you are spot on.  And if there is a description, I understand the link is obscure and at the bottom of the page, so many just don't click to view it.

[imakesugar]

With the "new metrics" I would NOT sell anything for parts or not working. If I did sell something I'd sell it as a part with a part number and what it could repair. 

[abfabvintage]

@castlemagicmemories

For Mobile views/purchases? They are only looking at the title, nothing else. Maybe this information needs to be explained out on the Buyer Board/Forum as a general topic to help buyers understand the workings of Mobile here on eBay. What you see, and what you don't. To me, Mobile is the major problem with returns.

[gracieallen01]

If it is for 'parts - not working', DON'T say it will do anything!  It is for 'PARTS'.  It 'DOESN"T WORK'

It's purpose is for PARTS to fix or build something else OR a great 'REPAIR PROJECT'.

When you start saying what it will do, people expect more - no matter what it is or what else you say.

[doubledz-a2z]

DO NOT ACCEPT RETURNS ESPECIALLY ON ITEMS THAT WEIGH MORE THAN FIRST CLASS ALLOWS.

[tunicaslot]

Mobile is a problem - but if you look at the OP's listings - like goodluck said - The Sony Boombox - should put not working - or parts only right in the title.

The first 2 pictures are stock photos and not the item being sold.

They have no description - but a long TOS in pretty border - the description box which pops up when selecting used or for parts - does include that the speaker does not charge or power on ( not sure how easy it is to read it on a mobile device - but then he goes on to describe that the condition is excellent and like new. That description box should be used to denote any problems really with the way the regular description is often hidden but that doesn't mean you don't note it in the regular description box too and in your title. 

The description for the in ear headphones is the same - looks like a New in Box product - the description essentially describes it as a New in Box item - the only way to know there is no sound coming from the one side is in the small item description box.

[angre3375]

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@doubledz-a2z wrote:

DO NOT ACCEPT RETURNS ESPECIALLY ON ITEMS THAT WEIGH MORE THAN FIRST CLASS ALLOWS.

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No returns doesn't apply to not as drsdescribed claims

[angre3375]

Just so you know this is what your listings look like on my phone