You Still Have Time to Avoid Fees : Higher “item not as described” return requests ?

[bubbles1234567]

I sell cosmetics that are AUTHENTIC and "inspired by" brand names. That is, these cosmetics do not claim to be replicas of other brands but they are a cheaper version of other brands. Even though I don't have to, I mention clearly that "This (item name here) is not associated with the brand name (brand name here)" I have sold hundreds of such cosmetics.

Some of my buyers fail to read item title and descriptions and initiate return requests claiming item is inauthentic or "item not as described." I accept the returns to avoid the hassle of calling eBay to file for a wrong return request.

Today I get this email:

You Still Have Time to Avoid Fees

(my name), you have higher “item not as described”
return requests compared to your peers in one or more categ...

Take action now to avoid an additional 4% in final value
fees starting October 1. Sellers with “very ...

Currently, I have "high" rate of return. I was already forced to offer free returns recently and now this bullcrap?

[retrose1]

If you use the brand name anywhere and the item is NOT that brand, then you are keyword spamming and that is against ebay policy AND the cause for most of your problems.

You are selling fakes if they claim any link to the brands.  Buyers have a legitimate right to complain about that.

[blacktopautoparts]

I just received this message too. I sell in ebay motors, which the return rates are insane since people do not read descriptions, titles, and/or look at the pictures. Then they go out of their way to mark items as SNAD. We do get some issues that were are fault and we own up to it, but this is going to be bad with this latest ebay money grab. I don't get what the agenda is here with all of the crazy stuff that they are pushing. They are going to be chasing buyers and sellers away for a good portion of these changes the last 2 months.

[emerald40]

We really cannot advise you as this must be your posting ID>

But it is something you are doing that is confusing buyers.  Are you putting the brand name in the title?

That could e your problem.

But excessive returns is bad for ebay so they have every right to call you on it if your listings are confusing.

[bubbles1234567]

These are "inspired by" versions, which are perfectly fine to sell given that I don't associate them with other brands. Buyers who are confused have messaged me and I have clarified. Others have admitted that they did, in fact, fail to read the item title and description. Still others create these SNAD requests and I do have the option of calling eBay to file for a wrongful return but I choose not to because I don't have time to go through the explanation every single time.

In times I called eBay, supervisors and representatives agreed with me that the listing was in compliance. I even spoke with a listing specialist who confirmed. 

I accept returns but it seems unfair to punish sellers for a reason a buyer can come up with at will. It seems, like above said, every single policy in the last few months has been against sellers. This is just the latest in a row.

[agent006140]

ebay is telling you substandard seller pays FVF of 4% more,if you want to avoid paying 4% more,you have to look into the culprit and do something about it,

Ranting on this forum cannot change the fact substandard sellers pay 4% more.

We are not Ebay.

[belo_1885]

Can you take a screenshot of your seller dashboard and post it for us to see? a lot of times it's easier to help a seller when we know what their dashboard looks like

[agent006140]

'inspired'?

did the manufacturer describe his product as such,or you come up with it?

How about Rolex inspired,Prada inspired,Tiffany inspired,confucious inspired?

Why cant you just describe the product as to its content and results ,instead of being inspired by XYZ?

[retrose1]

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@agent006140 wrote:

'inspired'?

did the manufacturer describe his product as such,or you come up with it?

How about Rolex inspired,Prada inspired,Tiffany inspired,confucious inspired?

Why cant you just describe the product as to its content and results ,instead of being inspired by XYZ?

---

Because it probably wouldn't sell?

I have had a few really great interesting items that had no brand on them and I could not track down the maker.  There was no point in listing them because without a brand, no one searching on ebay would come across it.

Inspired is just another version of like .  Either way - if the brand name is in the ttle or description or Item Specifics, it is keyword spamming and the cause of your problem with ebay and if the company that makes the brand finds out, you can have problems outside of ebay.

[bubbles1234567]

 That's right. It wouldn't sell.

I am not coming up with the phrase "inspired by." That is what it says on the manufacturer box. 

[tlx1601]

I can't believe that eBay will have such a stupid idea to compare sellers in this way and ready to impose much higher seller fees. Sellers like me who sell USED items obviously will have a much higher return rate compared to the sellers who sell BRAND NEW items. High value item is also subject to much higher return rate compared to cheaper items less than $10. How could you possibly measure sellers in different selling modes and try to increase the final value fee 66% higher? It is insane! I am a top-rated powerseller with close to 100% positive and my feedback "item as described" rate is 4.9/5. If I am in risk of getting such an increas on the final value fee. The system has some obvious problems. Whoever popped out this idea at eBay should be fired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     4% additional final value is A LOT!! I am currently paying 6.15% and around $50,000/year FVF to ebay, adding 4% additional means 10.15% FVF which would be $83,000. It is 65% increase on the fees and it surely will KILL MY BUSINESS. I am always being considered one of the most reliable seller in the category, Powerseller, top rated, close to 100% positives. If I am below the selling stardard. There must be something wrong with that stardard.

[papermoneyforme]

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@tlx1601 wrote:

I can't believe that eBay will have such a stupid idea to compare sellers in this way and ready to impose much higher seller fees. Sellers like me who sell USED items obviously will have a much higher return rate compared to the sellers who sell BRAND NEW items. High value item is also subject to much higher return rate compared to cheaper items less than $10. How could you possibly measure sellers in different selling modes and try to increase the final value fee 66% higher? It is insane! I am a top-rated powerseller with close to 100% positive and my feedback "item as described" rate is 4.9/5. If I am in risk of getting such an increas on the final value fee. The system has some obvious problems. Whoever popped out this idea at eBay should be fired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     4% additional final value is A LOT!! I am currently paying 6.15% and around $50,000/year FVF to ebay, adding 4% additional means 10.15% FVF which would be $83,000. It is 65% increase on the fees and it surely will KILL MY BUSINESS. I am always being considered one of the most reliable seller in the category, Powerseller, top rated, close to 100% positives. If I am below the selling stardard. There must be something wrong with that stardard.

---

Ebay is using whatever means they can to get rid of non brand name used merchandise sellers.

This has been Ebay's plan for a long time and if we don't fit in the mold they want, they don't want us here.

[iamonourside]

Your word or theirs, you can't say it.

To be clear, what others are advising you of is that in addition to having to pay higher fees as a result of high return rate, your listings could be removed due to a violation of the key word spamming policy.

Even if you had bothered to call ebay saying these were "wrong requests," ebay would have informed you that the requests were indeed valid not as described or not authentic.

Take the authentic name out of your listing and title (Showing a close up photo of the maker's box where the comparison is made - about as far as you could go.)

Then spend your time, figuring out if you'll profit even under higher fees and/or how to BETTER inform buyers.

[gramophone-georg]

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@papermoneyforme wrote:

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@tlx1601 wrote:

I can't believe that eBay will have such a stupid idea to compare sellers in this way and ready to impose much higher seller fees. Sellers like me who sell USED items obviously will have a much higher return rate compared to the sellers who sell BRAND NEW items. High value item is also subject to much higher return rate compared to cheaper items less than $10. How could you possibly measure sellers in different selling modes and try to increase the final value fee 66% higher? It is insane! I am a top-rated powerseller with close to 100% positive and my feedback "item as described" rate is 4.9/5. If I am in risk of getting such an increas on the final value fee. The system has some obvious problems. Whoever popped out this idea at eBay should be fired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     4% additional final value is A LOT!! I am currently paying 6.15% and around $50,000/year FVF to ebay, adding 4% additional means 10.15% FVF which would be $83,000. It is 65% increase on the fees and it surely will KILL MY BUSINESS. I am always being considered one of the most reliable seller in the category, Powerseller, top rated, close to 100% positives. If I am below the selling stardard. There must be something wrong with that stardard.

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Ebay is using whatever means they can to get rid of non brand name used merchandise sellers. 

 increase revenue by increasing fees.

This has been Ebay's plan for a long time and if we don't fit in the mold they want, they don't want us here.

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Fixed that for you.

If eBay didn't want sellers or their products here they'd just boot them. This is a money grab, no more, no less.

Encourage "hassle free returns", then slap increased fees on the people taking the bait.

Classic.

[emerald40]

Since we cannot see your listings can you tell us what you are trying to sell and how you worded it.