Would you block a repeat buyer for this?

[thefossildepot]

Have this repeat buyer who’s been buying from me for a couple years. Usually around 2 or sometimes 3 items a week most months. Higher priced items around $50-200. Yesterday he decided to open a return on pretty much half of the items he purchased within the last two months with the message “don’t want it” on every return. 9 returns all at once. Which is going to be a fairly large blow to my business. Some of these items were purchased nearly 60 days ago, some around a month ago, some just last week. Hard to believe he would wait 1 or 2 months to return items he didn’t like if that was really the case. Kinda seems like he probably found something else he wants to buy and figured out he could take advantage of free returns to get the funds. I have free returns enabled for better search placement. And I know getting rid of free returns would encourage false INAD. So nothing that can really be done there. I’ve made a lot selling to this guy. But not sure if the risk this buyer now poses is worth keeping this buyer. Would you block this guy? 

[dbfolks166mt]

I would stand with the posters who ask why, and wait a reasonable time for an answer before blocking the buyer.

I would make my message non-confrontational and professional. Given the nature of the merchandise the OP sells I'd want to know.

     I too would first attempt to contact the buyer to see what may have happened. I do the same when I get a non-payer. As others have noted there could be dozens of reasons for the returns. Any information I could possibly get from the buyer may help avoid future issues. 

[aproudparent2010]

Frustrating but you chose to allow 60 days returns so that means for any reason.

[gurlcat]

@thefossildepot  So have you come to a decision or heard anything more from the buyer?  Also I hope you saw the reply in the thread informing you (if you didn't know) that blocking the buyer would also block them from writing to you, or rather they could write and think you received the message(s) but in reality you would never know.  It can be a problematic feature in that regard, but it is what it is.  

[adamcartwright]

@thefossildepot 

Curious why you offer 60 days returns for fossils.

It's not like you can have issues of not fitting, not working, not the right color, etc.

[rugerskick]

Yes.  No longer reliable as a buyer.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@12345jamesstamps wrote:

The ones longer than 30 days for a return he needs to pay for shipping.

*snip*

Items longer than 30 days MBG...maybe ask what's wrong and perhaps a partial refund.

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@12345jamesstamps 

The OP has a 60-day free return policy. The buyer is within the 60 days. 

@thefossildepot 

Is there a chance that having a 30-day, buyer pays return shipping policy something that would work for what you sell? 

Are these multiple purchases the only ones that the buyer has bought from you ever? If it's not a long-time buyer, wonder if he's just playing games because he can, knowing you have 60 days free returns.

[gurlcat]

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@albertabrightalberta wrote:

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If it's not a long-time buyer, wonder if he's just playing games because he can, knowing you have 60 days free returns.

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It's long-time AND frequent buyer.  2-3 per week, for the past couple years.  So that's like 200-300 purchases overall!  I really doubt they'd be playing games after such a long and steady business relationship. To me it reeks of involvement by someone other than the buyer.  

[thefossildepot]

The reason I do 60 days is for better search placement. As for the free part I do that so buyers don’t file a false INAD if they don’t want to pay return shipping. 

[archivehobbyist]

Yeah he would be done, I've banned people for less that's ridiculous he must need the money and low on funds so he decided to return all the items he has bought .

[thefossildepot]

Only communication I’ve received from the buyer aside from the returns was the buyer asking how to find the return labels. Certainly frustrating. But I suppose some people forget most eBay sellers are individuals and not some big corporation. Added up everything the buyers purchased in the last couple years and this probably only accounts for 5% of his purchases. So will give the buyer another chance. But will certainly look at this buyers offers with more scrutiny given the increased risk. One more “changed mind” return from him anytime soon and the buyers going on the block list. 

[gloryglorygifts]

I had a slew of returns last year from someone. Turns out they were using me to dropship items they were selling on an Amazon account.  I include packing slips with every order and then notes saying we are not affiliated with Amazon, when I caught wise. It is very possible the guy is doing the same with you. 

If you have a relationship with him send a message, as inhawaii suggested. Some people don't care that sellers on other marketplaces use them for dropshipping, but if it is putting a dent in your bottom line, I would nip that in the bud and quick. 

[dirk12955]

I'd sprain my wrist blocking this "Buyer"

I'd do that after I informed him that I'd no longer be consigning 

items for him at zero risk or cost to him.  

Ask him why?    Who cares why?    This buyer is toxic.   

[tammiegoldenhair]

Sometimes people buy from eBay and place on FB market place  or other sites , when things don’t sell they return them . I actually had a repeat customer tell

me this is what they do .  Blocked them ! 

[adamcartwright]

@gurlcat 

Maybe his bookie came around.

[dolcetreasures]

Why on Earth would you offer 60 day free returns? How can you possibly run a profiting business with such a generous return window? Absolutely change it to 30 days.