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?

[bubbles1234567]

Cosmetics, lotions and stuff by cheaper brand names that produce inspired versions of brand names. People buy them because they are economic and there are reviews by my customers saying how they appreciate the item because it is so close in smell to the actual brand.

The title of my listing is like this:

Lotion name here Inspired by brand name here 1 oz 30 ml

The item description notes the lotion's manufacturer's name (NOT the other brand name) and lotion name, size, etc.

In the listing I say:

This lotion is not related to makers of (brand name here)

[belo_1885]

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@bubbles1234567 wrote:

Lotion name here Inspired by brand name here 1 oz 30 ml

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Yeah that is the pretty much the eBay definition of keyword spamming.

[pjcdn2005]

It does sound as if your listings are violating ebay policies and the fact that you have a high snad return rates says that your buyers are being confused because you are using a brand name that doesn't belong to the item.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/search-browse-manipulation-policy?id=4243&st=2&p...

Brand names

You can describe an item by its brand, designer, model, product, style name, or its celebrity endorsement in a listing, as long as the information accurately describes what you're selling. Don't make a comparison or reference to a brand that isn't the same brand you're selling. This can confuse buyers and make it hard for them to find what they're looking for. See keyword spamming for more information.

Allowed

• A brand name can be mentioned in a listing, as long as the item is authentically branded with that brand name
• A celebrity name can be included in a listing, as long as the celebrity created, officially endorsed, owned, or signed the item. You can also mention celebrities if they're depicted in the item for sale, such as on posters or photos

[bubbles1234567]

Again, I am literally taking the "Inspired by..." text from the manufacturer box.

[pjcdn2005]

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@bubbles1234567 wrote:

Again, I am literally taking the "Inspired by..." text from the manufacturer box.

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But you are listing it on ebay so you have to follow their rules.

I'm actually surprised that a company could write inspired by another brand name on their packaging without getting into trouble from the brand name company.  Perhaps it is the same company and this is their cheaper version?? I'm just guessing, I have no idea how that works.

[bubbles1234567]

After their Inspired By (brand name here) statement, they also say:

"Item-name-here is not associated with makers of brand-name-here." So maybe that absolves that company and me too, I'd guess.

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

It doesn't absolve you on Ebay, it violates the keyword spamming rules.

[bubbles1234567]

I searched "Inspired by" and this is what I get:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=inspired+by&_sacat=0

[retrose1]

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@bubbles1234567 wrote:

I searched "Inspired by" and this is what I get:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=inspired+by&_sacat=0

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If you want to keep on trying to justify what you are selling on ebay to us, thats ok, but just to let you know that ebay will not listen or agree with you either.  And we might tell you I told you so if you come back after ebay removes all your listings and boots you.

Wait a minute - you aren't in China are you? 

[Anonymous]

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@blacktopautoparts wrote:

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.

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I'm in a similar boat too.  I sell new and used appliance parts.  I have people who buy the wrong part all the time, or buy a part, try it and realize that wasn't the issue with their machine.  They return the item using the "doesn't work or defective" reason because it "didn't work" for them which I can buy as a solid misunderstanding OR they now that they can get their return paidf for by lying about it.  I get the part back, test it and it's completely fine.  I used to call into Ebay **bleep** near every day to fight with them on this, often times they will realize that the item was classified wrong and either refund me the money for return shipping or make the buyer pay for it if there is still time.   I soon realized just how much time I was actually spending dealing with these guys everyday, trying to explain the same situation to them over and over as if they had never heard of this happening.  Finally I gave up and just took the returns as they came, not realizing that by not fighting them daily, this would result down the road.  

I've been getting robbed by the Ebay return policy for over two years now.  Then they tell us we need to offer Free returns to keep our TRS badge on our listing.....and now I get this email saying they are going to tack on an additional 4%.   Give me a **bleep** break!

[twnpopcards]

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@bubbles1234567 wrote:

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.

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Be prepared to begin paying 14% FVF (a 40% increase in fees) starting in October of 2018 if things continue the way they are.  This was Ebays plan all along and Sellers are falling right into their game plan.  Ebay needs to show major double digit growth fast and every idea including Promoted Listings has failed, so now they are going to try and force you to pay the increase if you want to sell on here at all by stacking the deck against all sellers all while encouraging buyers to return your items and they encourage them to file them as a SNAD if for any reason you are not 100% satisfied and happy with things, even if the buyer didnt't bother to read the description.  Somehow this is still the sellers fault and you and many other sellers ae going to pay the ultimate price while Ebay laughs all the way to the bank.

Hopefully once again Sellers decide that paying the extra 40% increase is not worth it and leave Ebay for other sites and leave Ebay with huge declines in sales.  Nothing else will wake up that management team I am afraid.

[vintagecraze50]

Many knock off of brand name products are on the market with the "inspired by" logo.  The problem the seller may be having is the issue that people who buy stuff online do not read the descriptions and really believe they are getting a brand name product. That is why the rule is set on Ebay that you cannot even use the name of the manufacturer in the title because if confuses these buyers, and contrubutes to the SNADS and returns. There was a seller here awhile ago that was selling those 24 to 48 hour keep thing cool or hot Yetti type stuff. You could not even say the word in the description or title becuase some people think they are getting an authentic Yetti--mucho expensive, versus a non branded Yetti .

[rslking]

I have the same issue. I sell used   Car parts and buyers are continually sending parts back that didn’t fix their problem...well they are just throwing parts at a problem and it fixes the issue...this increase will cost me $8000 in additional fees per year...I run about 8 to 9 percent returns on average...I would guess about half are legitimate....I state plainly I’m my ads that the parts are used and most of the time untested. I wish there was another option

[slippinjimmy]

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@bubbles1234567 wrote:

Again, I am literally taking the "Inspired by..." text from the manufacturer box.

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So you think that because somebody made a product with an intentionally misleading name which they hope will fool people that it's ok to just carry on the scam?

I'm sure some of your buyer know exactly what they are getting and are ok with that but clearly a bunch of your buyers are fooled as the manufacturer intended.

These buyers feel ripped off and for many of them they might never buy on eBay again and tell their friends "yeah eBay, full of knockoffs and other **bleep**....don't waste you time".

That's not good for you, not good for eBay and not good for all the other sellers here.

[gramophone-georg]

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@slippinjimmy wrote:

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@bubbles1234567 wrote:

Again, I am literally taking the "Inspired by..." text from the manufacturer box.

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So you think that because somebody made a product with an intentionally misleading name which they hope will fool people that it's ok to just carry on the scam?

I'm sure some of your buyer know exactly what they are getting and are ok with that but clearly a bunch of your buyers are fooled as the manufacturer intended.

These buyers feel ripped off and for many of them they might never buy on eBay again and tell their friends "yeah eBay, full of knockoffs and other **bleep**....don't waste you time".

That's not good for you, not good for eBay and not good for all the other sellers here.

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And if all that about not being good for eBay and running off buyers were true they'd get rid of all the fakes the site is overflowing with but the amount of them on site just keeps growing.

One of my categories is just getting taken over with fake "antiques" and the other with fake substandard "OEM Quality" parts.

And then, there's always this:

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/08/why-ebay-tells-chinese-manufacturers-what-you...

True then and even more true now.

You can't serenely tell me with a straight face that fakes "tributes" are killing eBay when the CEO was and is a major mover and shaker in the proliferation of them on here.