Will a minimal description help reduce SNAD?

[atikovi]

If there is a minimal description or no description, how can a buy claim it's significantly not as described? Plan to list a bunch of used hubcaps which all can have some imperfections, so I don't want to say, "good condition with just a few scratches", and have a buyer claim it has a lot of scratches or a ding. Of course I'll have plenty of pictures.

[johnrj1226]

@atikovi

Pictures alone don't  do what eBay requires - often pictures DO NOT clearly show any issues.  Pictures help support the  written descriptions.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/selling-practices-policy?id=4346

[pink.fish.rule]

Nope, not these days.

But neither will a lengthy in depth one either, so I think most sellers are going with the minimalist approach.

There was a time when CS would actually look at the seller's listing and go oh but it says that, claim denied, but not now. On this ebay the buyer's word is golden.

[nycshopgirlnyc]

Doubtful. If a buyer can tell me that a reason item wasn’t as described because of A, B, C, D. and I explain that all those concerns were part of the description, and yet she still wins her case, then there is little hope.

[atikovi]

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@nycshopgirlnyc wrote:

Doubtful. If a buyer can tell me that a reason item wasn’t as described because of A, B, C, D. and I explain that all those concerns were part of the description, and yet she still wins her case, then there is little hope.

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Yet if you don't have A,B,C,D, in the description they wouldn't have anything to call you out on as long as the item functions as intended.

[mr_lincoln]

@atikovi   I sell things that are 65 to 100 years old at times, they are rarely perfect but some are actually in pristine condition.  I don't embellish the description but try to state the facts.  For example, a 95 year old cast iron skillet the Conditions (and then copy and paste the same in Description) would include: "No chips and no cracks, there is some minor pitting on the cooking surface and some knife marks from previous owners.  There is some residual build up on the outside walls."

I am not about to count the "minor" pits nor the Knife marks".  I will try to angle the skillet when photographed so the items I am describing will show up better.  If there is a chip I call it out, if there is a crack it does NOT get sold on eBay.  If a crack occurs in shipping then I can file an insurance claim because of damage in shipping.

As to SNAD claims, it does not matter what you write or show in pictures, if a Buyer decides they don't want the item they will use the SNAD claim and force you to pay return shipping and hopefully return the actual item they purchased in the same condition it was sold in and not a brick or empty box.

Consider using Free Returns, it will give you some financial protection in a bogus return both financially and against less then positive Feedback.

[corvettestainless]

Not that this helps whatsoever on a 'SNAD' refund but....

A 'ding' is not a scratch, so since you are going to take the time to take pictures of each individual one, I would note individual statements about each set on each listing. You can use something to the effect of '2 dings, 5-10 scratches' or 'no dings, less than 3 scratches. 

Note that most of these imperfections may not show up on photos. 

[a_c_green]

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@atikovi wrote:

If there is a minimal description or no description, how can a buy claim it's significantly not as described?

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"Not as described" covers a multitude of sins; it should not just be taken literally. If a buyer discovers a major flaw that was not covered in your "minimal description," then of course it's a Not As Described return (and I suspect that they will be very motivated to return it).

In other words, a flaw does not cease to exist just because you chose not to describe it. 

[earlyant-77]

@mr_lincoln 

You would love the Griswold Loaf Pan I just bought last night at the auction .........

But I'll put that in a B&M.

[pink.fish.rule]

A SNAD used to be just that - SIGNIFICANTLY not as described, now anything will do, even just a perception.

[atikovi]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

For example, a 95 year old cast iron skillet the Conditions (and then copy and paste the same in Description) would include: "No chips and no cracks, there is some minor pitting on the cooking surface and some knife marks from previous owners.  There is some residual build up on the outside walls."

I am not about to count the "minor" pits nor the Knife marks".  

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Chips and pitting don't affect the function of a skillet (as far as I know) and mentioning them just opens a door for complaints of DEEP chips or HEAVY pitting that wouldn't be possible if not described. Not to mention complaints of scratches, burn marks, etc. Pictures with no words along with a sympathetic CSR would go a long way towards avoiding a SNAD case here. Those imperfections are expected by normal buyers on something like that.

[krazzykats]

Used, normal wear and tear from handling. Expect scuffs, scratches, minor imperfections. Not Trailer Queen or show quality.

[pink.fish.rule]

The only problem is that unlike courts of law ebay feels no need to follow along the lines of what any "reasonable" person would or would not expect.

[ittybitnot]

Doubtful. If a buyer can tell me that a reason item wasn’t as described because of A, B, C, D. and I explain that all those concerns were part of the description, and yet she still wins her case, then there is little hope.

That is exactly how it works on eBay now.  

It does not matter what is in your description.  It does not matter what your return policy might be.  And better yet, it doesn't matter what is returned to you. 

All that counts is that the buyer hit the "SNAD" button for a return. 

Maybe eBay should change the "Not as described" options to "Not as imagined"?????

[itsjustasprain]

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@atikovi wrote:
Chips and pitting don't affect the function of a skillet (as far as I know) and mentioning them just opens a door for complaints of DEEP chips or HEAVY pitting that wouldn't be possible if not described.

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Would not be possible? So the buyers complaint of deep chips or heavy pitting would be rejected because they were not mentioned in the description?