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? 

[alwaysauthentic1]

@ Softersilk –

I appreciate your response and I’ll take your listing advice.

I’ll get rid of my templates - I was doing that because it seemed to be the listing standard. And yes, the Zeepad Box description is a random listing that I had weird wording on. It comes in a different model Zeepad Box, which is a better way to word it. I just put it out there in the listing because I wanted to avoid a buyer being upset because the box doesn’t match the model number. I don’t think correcting those things will impact whether or not buyers recognize a for parts listing, but it still helps out and I appreciate it.

 Your last sentence I take issue with if it’s directed at me, but it may just be a quote that you sign off with. “Trying to prevent scammers by shouting about no partial refunds, etc is futile.”

 If it’s directed at me, I don’t know where you get that I’m trying to prevent scammers by shouting about no partial refunds, etc.? I’m not whining about eBay policy… I accept eBay’s policy and I’m cool with it. I merely posed a question (one that I’ve been very puzzled over) because I’m trying to figure out what’s going on with “for parts or not working listings”, because buyers not seeing that in the description has recently become a common occurrence and I want to figure out what’s going on and how to prevent it.

[alwaysauthentic1]

I sold two toaster ovens. If you don't see the for parts or not working on the BOV800XL Model that's interesting and good to know if the condition description isn't showing up.
Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven - For parts or not working
Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven - Used

[alwaysauthentic1]

Thanks for your response

The first listing you mention was just a one time random occurance. I originally photographed them together because I was going to sell them together and then decided I would sell them seperately and explain that they were being sold as individual units (I didn't have a problem with a buyer misunderstanding that aspect).

Your critiques on the other listings - I definitely have a tendency to give long detailed descriptions particularly on non working items.... but I'm not doing it so I could get as much money as possible out of it, I just want to describe everything I know about it, because I want the buyer to have the best idea possible as to what must be done to fix it. And after I give my long winded description as to what's wrong with the item, I'll often then describe the physical condition. If it appears to be an otherwise new/unused item, it's one of the most important points I could make... but I could rephrase it to say, it appears to have been a dead on arrival, because it shows no signs of usage. I guess it's a round about way of saying that the item is unregistered and likely to be under warranty, but I don't make that point since I'm not a liscensed vendor and I can't make those guarantees.

Thanks for your advice.

[alwaysauthentic1]

I understand what you are saying, but in my experiences it's not about buyers being confused, it's about buyers simply not seeing the description at all.
And there's other reasons why buyers purchase for parts items. It's not something I mess around with or claim (since I'm not a licensed vendor), but often times they can be registered and are under warranty.

[alwaysauthentic1]

Thanks for pointing that out. I even use the cell phone corrector that eBay has in the listings.

[alwaysauthentic1]

I've never had an issue with a buyer not understanding the description, just not reading/seeing it.
And the purpose of saying that the item is unused shouldn't override the for fixing or for parts aspect. It just means that the item was dead on arrival. The physical condition aspect of an item is vital. Do you want to fix a dirty scuffed up item or one that looks new?
And to put it into context. It's not like under fixing or for parts it says unused and only that. Prior to saying that it's unused there's a description as to how it's not working. Then as a physical description it's described as new/unused. But once again, I've never had a buyer be confused about that aspect of it.

[little.font.lord.leroy]

I looked at one of your auctions with a missing piece "Open Box condition - appears to be new/unused"

Items in my search results for "search all" don't always tell me that your listing is in a "parts" or "not working" category, that's fine print that goes unnoticed.

1. your titles look like your item is complete, they do not have a word like: partial, incomplete, for parts, etc.

2. The Description section only has a repeat of the title and your template with TOS.

3. The only place you mention the missing parts is in the small print "Item Specifics"

4. "Please look closely for exactly what will be included." But how can I look closely for what's not included? You can't. Buyers aren't returning because of what is included but because of what's missing. Your "Description" should start with a list of what is known to be missing and what is included. Then your TOS.

[alwaysauthentic1]

Thanks, I'll definitely take that advice. I started putting the condition description in both places. I just thought it was standard to look at the condition description because it's less than an inch away from the buy it now price, but from what I gather cell phone purchasers may not see it so I'm putting it below as well.
I haven't had any issues with buyers not understanding my descriptions, just at times not seeing them all together.

[lightlily_arts]

If you are selling something that is for parts only don't use descriptive terms  to make your buyer think it's like new.  Buyers don't read and they can return items for any reason.  You offer free 30 day returns so people don't need any reason.  I would not offer that on any item that is for parts only.  This listing is a good example.  It doesn't work no matter how good it looks.

Physically the camera is in like new condition - no signs of usage or wear - as far as I can tell this needs to be fixed before it can take pictures.

[little.font.lord.leroy]

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@alwaysauthentic1 wrote:
I started putting the condition description in both places.

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Just my opinion but I don't believe that the Item Specifics box is considered the "Condition Description".  But I do see sellers using it like one and that defeats the purpose, imho. Things like model, make, year, part number, UPC barcode if you want to go that far, are what I expect to see in the Item Specifics box. Also, I believe it is cleaner to have the specifics tell what the item is not what is isn't ie, Chrome finish: no;, Black finish: no;  rather Finish: Brushed Nickle.

Yes you can create your own specifics, but this isn't suppose to be the description.

I believe the  Item Specifics should be used for something like "Condition: incomplete kit", not to list each item missing or included.

At the head of the description box, list the items you are selling; separating each item on a new line makes it easier to read both on a computer or a phone.

This Vampire Kit has been opened and parts look unused but some parts are missing.

This sale includes these parts:

the original box and instructions

string of garlic

hand mirror

wood stake

wood mallet

fake mustache

cork and vile for collecting blood

This kit is missing :

rosary cross

pocket Bible