is there such a thing as 'no returns?'

[baydealz]

I sold (notice not current 'sell') individual random items, well photographed, tested and described.  So I do not know why I need to compete with Costco or Amazon and pay to allow anyone to return for any reason?  I just saw a listing as 'parts/repair' which I used to do, but I came to the conclusion, 'parts/repair' and 'no returns' were code for 'they can still return it anyway.

I also know I'm only going to get negative replies about scamming buyers, deceptive ads or other, but there must be someway to properly advertise like a garage sale.  It seemed as too many buyers were just finding ways through loopholes to get items, or parts from items, or who knows?  

Everything is just so automated now, I'd like to know how to adapt, to see about posting again.  Just allow returns?  I did this when I realized there was no alternative, but then I still lost due to requirement of paying inflated return shipping. 

[inhawaii]

I have a "no returns" policy.

Of course I still have to accept INAD (item not as described) returns but I do not have to accept remorse returns.

Many sellers say this if you have a "no returns" policy  that buyers will file bogus INAD  returns just to get around my "no returns" policy but that simply isn't true - not with me anyways. 

[mam98031]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

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@lakefor94 wrote:

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@onefootflipper1 wrote:

Here is the deal. 

There is no such thing as no returns, however "No returns" sellers simply get far fewer returns than other sellers. I am a no returns seller and I have had one return in the last 3 months between both my accounts and it was a legitimate not as described situation (I unknowingly had a fake item). That was 1 return out of 1168 sales.

The return stats my "free return" friends have are incredibly high. 

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@onefootflipper1 

The other side of that coin is the 10% kickback on the FVF's far more than cover any return expenses I incur with Free Returns year in and year out. I expect I garner a few more sales with Free Returns as well.

1 out of 1168 is rocking it. Nice work.

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@lakefor94 

Very good point on the 10% TRS Plus FVF discount offsetting other costs, like returns.  I would fall into that category as well.

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I agree it can, but for sellers that have a large enough volume of sales for the 10% discount on fees to add up to something.

Example:  $1,000 in sales, times 13.25% FVF = 132.50 x 10% = $13.25 in TRS discount on fees.

[mam98031]

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@jg.mason wrote:

EBay has never required me to send a return label.

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Ebay doesn't force any seller to send a return label.  If a INAD has been filed by the buyer and the seller wants the item back before refunding, then the seller will need to issue a return shipping label for the buyer to use.  That applies to ALL sellers that get a properly filed INAD by the buyer.

For you, with a No Return policy, you can actually deny a Return Request from a buyer that files it with a Buyer Remorse reason.  Or you can accept it and the buyer will need to pay for return shipping.

But ALL sellers, no matter what their return policy is, have to process a properly filed INAD [other than buyer remorse exceptions].  Now the seller does not have to take a return, they are able to just refund the buyer if they want to.  That can often me more cost effective for a seller.

[stainlessenginecovers]

You are looking at selling on this site ALL WRONG!

First- yes, you ARE competing with Costco/Amazon! You are competing for the buyers dollars. 

2nd- Not sure WHY you are stating '...pay to allow buyers to return for any reason'...you are NOT paying anything for that. Where are you getting that from? 

3rd and most importantly- you are looking at EACH sale and NOT the big picture. What percentage of sales and/or dollars are returned in a year? 5%- meaning you get to keep 95% of your sales? 

[tobaccocardyahoo]

There is no such thing as an Ebay court, facts are not decided when a buyer claims an item is Not As Described or Damaged.

As Is, where is does not exist as a condition of sale on Ebay.

This means that a buyer can return an item which they claim is not as represented by the seller. It does not matter what the facts are.

Ebay offers sellers the opportunity to list items which do not work - "parts/repair". Many sellers fail to properly represent the flaws associated with their defective merchandise, and buyers will order items which they hope will require minor repair. They will also request a return for Not As Described when they discover they bought rubbish.

Many sellers have learned to avoid items which are likely to boomerang. Other sellers have learned to walk the fine line between getting the message through as the the real condition, and making the item sound so bad that no one will buy.

It is no secret that you cannot expect any item to be unconditionally final sale. But that does not mean that you always need to trash items which have obvious flaws. Some people will knowingly buy crap if the price is right AND they know what they are buying.

[baydealz]

you're too kind...

[baydealz]

yep, I've known and had done that for years (they will get to return it anyway, why not list it as such?).  But some items are truly at risk if opened or manipulated or have part stolen.  I don't know why I keep pushing on a rope in here, I rarely list due to the abysmal seller support and RISK, but I feel there must be a win-win work around of sorts. 

Mr. Lincoln (Honest Abe?), I see you sell random, rare items like I previously did.  So what happens when you get an order for "Obergs spelkort BLAKLOCKA Deck" and the guy complains 'not as described' because it was missing one of the cards?  Yet you **bleep** well it was in there.  Maybe I just have bad luck as I find that the norm.  First, the buyer here would have emailed in advance and ask if said card was in there (because he needs it), then would reply, 'you said it was in there, and sure enough it's not, that's the only reason I bought it, I need my money back'...if you're lucky and you pay shipping, you might get the other 51 cards back...then when you go and look at the buyer's profile, you see he was a collector and trader of "Obergs spelkort BLAKLOCKA Deck"...hmmm.

How come no one discusses tamper proof seals?  This venue just isn't worth it anymore.  I gladly stand by my products and waste(d) a ton of time testing and photographing, but it doesn't matter. 

[baydealz]

Thanks.  I removed that photo.  But does that mean my photo of the bike rack with bike and car must include bike and car?  Ridiculous. 

[mr_lincoln]

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@baydealz wrote:

yep, I've known and had done that for years (they will get to return it anyway, why not list it as such?).  But some items are truly at risk if opened or manipulated or have part stolen.  I don't know why I keep pushing on a rope in here, I rarely list due to the abysmal seller support and RISK, but I feel there must be a win-win work around of sorts. 

Mr. Lincoln (Honest Abe?), I see you sell random, rare items like I previously did.  So what happens when you get an order for "Obergs spelkort BLAKLOCKA Deck" and the guy complains 'not as described' because it was missing one of the cards?  Yet you **bleep** well it was in there.  Maybe I just have bad luck as I find that the norm.  First, the buyer here would have emailed in advance and ask if said card was in there (because he needs it), then would reply, 'you said it was in there, and sure enough it's not, that's the only reason I bought it, I need my money back'...if you're lucky and you pay shipping, you might get the other 51 cards back...then when you go and look at the buyer's profile, you see he was a collector and trader of "Obergs spelkort BLAKLOCKA Deck"...hmmm.

How come no one discusses tamper proof seals?  This venue just isn't worth it anymore.  I gladly stand by my products and waste(d) a ton of time testing and photographing, but it doesn't matter. 

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@baydealz 

Yes, that can certainly happen but fortunately we've only had it happen once on a NIB movie set on one account here  The movie set was factory sealed when shipped to the customer, they filed a bogus return and sent back a bunch of junk discs.  This was before Free returns and the present day Seller protections so we were out the $ 50 sale pus shipping.

So that was 1 out of many, many transactions.  It could occur more frequently depending on what one sells and who they sell to.  

Funny you mentioned the Obergs spelkort deck of cards ... I had two and sold one recently ... customer was very happy and their FB reflected that.

[baydealz]

"2nd- Not sure WHY you are stating '...pay to allow buyers to return for any reason'...you are NOT paying anything for that. Where are you getting that from? "

 - you pay to ship the item out, they inspect, dislike, file claim and get ALL their money back including shipping out and a label (paid by seller) to send item back - not bad, zero risk for buyer.  I've become a buyer instead of a seller on ebay, and still do very little.

Regarding percentage, I WAS much closer to 100%, mainly due to volume of more unique items (which pulls in scammers and collectors. 

[baydealz]

THEY Do, you just don't check your stats.  You get a complaint and figure, 'whatever,' next you get item in the mail.  If you check your history, not only did you pay for that label, it's higher than if you sent one to them.

[mam98031]

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@baydealz wrote:

THEY Do, you just don't check your stats.  You get a complaint and figure, 'whatever,' next you get item in the mail.  If you check your history, not only did you pay for that label, it's higher than if you sent one to them.

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I don't think you understood my post.

[fbusoni]

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@baydealz wrote:

Just allow returns?  I did this when I realized there was no alternative, but then I still lost due to requirement of paying inflated return shipping. 

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@baydealz 

Yes, offer 30 / 60 day paid returns.  

The reason I shop on Amazon is because of its return policy.   The absolute last thing I want to deal with is an eBay amateur who says he does not accept returns.

All that means to me is that I have to file an INAD to get him to pay return shipping.  And quite honestly, that's 35 seconds that I do not want to waste.

With paid returns, you don't get any INADs.   And depending on what categories you sell in, you don't get any returns either.

[lakefor94]

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@fbusoni wrote:

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@baydealz wrote:

Just allow returns?  I did this when I realized there was no alternative, but then I still lost due to requirement of paying inflated return shipping. 

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@baydealz 

Yes, offer 30 / 60 day paid returns.  

The reason I shop on Amazon is because of its return policy.   The absolute last thing I want to deal with is an eBay amateur who says he does not accept returns.

All that means to me is that I have to file an INAD to get him to pay return shipping.  And quite honestly, that's 35 seconds that I do not want to waste.

With paid returns, you don't get any INADs.   And depending on what categories you sell in, you don't get any returns either.

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I have had pretty good luck with Free Returns.  Even a few experienced buyers have selected a remorse reason when the item was INAD.  Those were not coincidences, they new what they were doing, cutting me some slack. Less hits on Service Metrics.