eBay

iamonourside · ‎02-03-2018

Trying to find a last minute gift today I searched only listings with returns accepted. I spent the longest time looking at one item. I read the description but skipped over the blah blah about policies. I already knew what I needed to know. Just before buying I read the description again, more slowly and see this!!!

",,,RETURNS ALLOWED BUT ONLY FOR MISDESCRIPTION ,,,NOT BUYERS REMORSE,,,RETURN SHIP RESP OF BUYER,,,,A 15% RESTOCKING FEE APPLIES,,,"

This isn't a misprint or mistake. The seller even had feedback from a buyer who'd received something broken but didn't return it because they didn't want to pay shipping both ways!!

I wrote out the following message, but I won't send it and won't report the seller either. It would just be a further waste of my time. .... Maybe this seller will recognize their own writing and "self eject"!!!

"I am offended by your terms! Believe me, if I bought this item from you and it was "misdescribed" or damaged, you WOULD refund in whole and pay shipping both ways. If I bought it and changed my mind, I would pay shipping and your "restocking fee" but you WOULD accept my return and provide a refund. It is obviously dishonest to CHECK "accept returns" in your listing form, then SAY you do not take returns for buyer remorse in the listing text. It is dishonest to even insinuate to a buyer that they must pay shipping costs and your restocking fee to be held harmless from for your error. Your items are alright, and you have buyers, but you are after all, just a CHEAT.

Your listings were in my search results because you misrepresent your policies, leading me to WASTE time I didn't have to waste. "Live and let live" is a courtesy reserved for those who live by the rules. Now, PLEASE, waste YOUR time blocking me.

missjen831 · ‎02-03-2018

wrote:
wrote:
Many sellers do not understand that if they take returns, they take returns for any reason.

However, one should not make up a false not as described situation in order to return something to a no returns seller. If you have buyer's remorse, or it doesn't fit, or you don't like it, you can sell it, give it as a gift, or just give it away. Seller should not have to pay original and return shipping when he specified no returns and the item is not truly not as described.
Not seeing where OP indicated she would do that? Am I missing something, @castlemagicmemories? Or were you just saying as a rule of practice, a buyer shouldn't file a false SNAD (which, of course, I agree with)?

The issue here is the seller says he offer returns, then goes to great lengths to say it only applies to NADs. Clearly, the seller is only trrying to get out of paying the return shipping he should pay if he misrepresents an item and it isn't wanted.

Why should a buyer be stuck with an item that is not as described, simply because the seller makes up an unenforceable TOS stating he won't pay return shipping as required by the MBG? The buyer shouldn't have to try to resell it or gift it.

A return policy means you take stuff back and refund the dissatisfied buyer's money. For ANY reason. Including remorse.

I believe Castle made that comment after reading Message 3--"everything on ebay is returnable. Just choose the right reason". That right there is basically alluding to false SNADS if the seller doesn't take returns.

One life is all we have to live
Love is all we have to give

**Formerly known as MissJen316**

southernfriedbelle · ‎02-03-2018

Ohh. Okay. That makes sense. Thanks, @missjen831. My brain has been really foggy the last few days.

Sorry for misunderstanding, @castlemagicmemories!

Think I'd better get my foggy noggin to bed!

Belle

castlemagicmemories · ‎02-03-2018

wrote:
wrote:
wrote:
Many sellers do not understand that if they take returns, they take returns for any reason.

However, one should not make up a false not as described situation in order to return something to a no returns seller. If you have buyer's remorse, or it doesn't fit, or you don't like it, you can sell it, give it as a gift, or just give it away. Seller should not have to pay original and return shipping when he specified no returns and the item is not truly not as described.
Not seeing where OP indicated she would do that? Am I missing something, @castlemagicmemories? Or were you just saying as a rule of practice, a buyer shouldn't file a false SNAD (which, of course, I agree with)?

The issue here is the seller says he offer returns, then goes to great lengths to say it only applies to NADs. Clearly, the seller is only trrying to get out of paying the return shipping he should pay if he misrepresents an item and it isn't wanted.

Why should a buyer be stuck with an item that is not as described, simply because the seller makes up an unenforceable TOS stating he won't pay return shipping as required by the MBG? The buyer shouldn't have to try to resell it or gift it.

A return policy means you take stuff back and refund the dissatisfied buyer's money. For ANY reason. Including remorse.
I believe Castle made that comment after reading Message 3--"everything on ebay is returnable. Just choose the right reason". That right there is basically alluding to false SNADS if the seller doesn't take returns.

Absolutely right, as always, Jen! Thank you!

castlemagicmemories · ‎02-03-2018

wrote:
Ohh. Okay. That makes sense. Thanks, @missjen831. My brain has been really foggy the last few days.

Sorry for misunderstanding, @castlemagicmemories!

Think I'd better get my foggy noggin to bed!

No worries!

7606dennis · ‎02-04-2018

Alas! If you're looking for a last minute gift, I'd probably advise against buying online.

Regarding your search. Might I suggest not skipping over the "blah blah about policies" since they are just as important as the description in many cases. For example; they show the seller's return and refund policy along with payment and shipping terms. That is why I always suggest that you read the Payment & Shipping tab which is actually a part of the listing.

Frankly, your admitted search for only listings that offer accept returns can be somewhat off-putting to sellers. Your posting about it could cause some raised eyebrows. Your message, even though you say you won't and didn't send it will probably result in some sellers not wishing to do business with you, in my opinion.

Of course, I really can't see where the seller's refund disclaimer is a good idea on his part either. Of course, he would be required to mention the re-stocking fee if he charges one for buyer's remorse returns. However, it is what is on the Payment & Shipping tab that really matters. Of course, the MBG takes care of SNAD items.

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

7606dennis · ‎02-04-2018

wrote:
Many sellers do not understand that if they take returns, they take returns for any reason.

However, one should not make up a false not as described situation in order to return something to a no returns seller. If you have buyer's remorse, or it doesn't fit, or you don't like it, you can sell it, give it as a gift, or just give it away. Seller should not have to pay original and return shipping when he specified no returns and the item is not truly not as described.

While I agree that the seller's terms as given in the OP's post weren't very tactfully written and probably not fully enforceable, the OP admits to skipping over the "blah blah policies." By now we all pretty much know that the MBG covers SNAD disputes regardless of the seller's return policy. However, seller's are free to set a no return policy if they wish or charge a re-stocking fee for buyer's remorse returns.

The Payment & Shipping tab is part of the listing and should not be skipped over.

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

duggmills · ‎02-04-2018

Thrill-Seeker

02-03-2018 03:19:09 PM

"Trying to find a last minute gift today I searched only listings with returns accepted. I spent the longest time looking at one item".

" I read the description but skipped over the blah blah about policies". This is something we all tend to do occasionally. We won't be so hasty in the future.

So, just what did you settle on for the last minute gift? I hope you found a nice gift, bought it, presented it, it pleased the recipient and you didn't have to return it before you wrote this thread.

"Fly the Big Ones"

robot-hands · ‎02-04-2018

That is my favorite kind of customer.

The ones that won't read and leave.

coolections · ‎02-04-2018

wrote:
I searched only listings with returns accepted.

I read the description but skipped over the blah blah about policies. I already knew what I needed to know.

If you already know a seller cannot have their own terms why search only the ones who do offer returns ?

*madison · ‎02-04-2018

wrote:
Trying to find a last minute gift today I searched only listings with returns accepted. I spent the longest time looking at one item. I read the description but skipped over the blah blah about policies. I already knew what I needed to know. Just before buying I read the description again, more slowly and see this!!!
",,,RETURNS ALLOWED BUT ONLY FOR MISDESCRIPTION ,,,NOT BUYERS REMORSE,,,RETURN SHIP RESP OF BUYER,,,,A 15% RESTOCKING FEE APPLIES,,,"

This isn't a misprint or mistake. The seller even had feedback from a buyer who'd received something broken but didn't return it because they didn't want to pay shipping both ways!!

I wrote out the following message, but I won't send it and won't report the seller either. It would just be a further waste of my time. .... Maybe this seller will recognize their own writing and "self eject"!!!

"I am offended by your terms! Believe me, if I bought this item from you and it was "misdescribed" or damaged, you WOULD refund in whole and pay shipping both ways. If I bought it and changed my mind, I would pay shipping and your "restocking fee" but you WOULD accept my return and provide a refund. It is obviously dishonest to CHECK "accept returns" in your listing form, then SAY you do not take returns for buyer remorse in the listing text. It is dishonest to even insinuate to a buyer that they must pay shipping costs and your restocking fee to be held harmless from for your error. Your items are alright, and you have buyers, but you are after all, just a CHEAT.
Your listings were in my search results because you misrepresent your policies, leading me to WASTE time I didn't have to waste. "Live and let live" is a courtesy reserved for those who live by the rules. Now, PLEASE, waste YOUR time blocking me.

Instead of posting here and typing out a big fat message you are not going to send, about you being offended and calling the seller a cheat--wouldn't it have been easier just to hit the back button ?

city*satins · ‎02-04-2018

wrote:
wrote:
Many sellers do not understand that if they take returns, they take returns for any reason.

However, one should not make up a false not as described situation in order to return something to a no returns seller. If you have buyer's remorse, or it doesn't fit, or you don't like it, you can sell it, give it as a gift, or just give it away. Seller should not have to pay original and return shipping when he specified no returns and the item is not truly not as described.
While I agree that the seller's terms as given in the OP's post weren't very tactfully written and probably not fully enforceable, the OP admits to skipping over the "blah blah policies." By now we all pretty much know that the MBG covers SNAD disputes regardless of the seller's return policy. However, seller's are free to set a no return policy if they wish or charge a re-stocking fee for buyer's remorse returns.

The Payment & Shipping tab is part of the listing and should not be skipped over.

The terms are totally not enforceable, especially now that eBay has automated non SNAD returns. If a seller selects they accept returns (as the OP's seller did) and a buyer submits a return request for a non SNAD reason, the request is automatically accepted and if (and only if) the seller hard-coded a retocking % into the return policy then that can be deducted at time the return is delivered.

Sellers who don't realize the current implications of setting their return policy to allow returns are in for a big surprise.

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city*satins · ‎02-04-2018

wrote:
wrote:
I searched only listings with returns accepted.

I read the description but skipped over the blah blah about policies. I already knew what I needed to know.
If you already know a seller cannot have their own terms why search only the ones who do offer returns ?

Because when you search the listings that offer returns, that return policy is enforceable whereas the blah blah blah in the listing text that might seek to undermine the "returns accepted" setting is not enforceable.

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penguins_dont_fly · ‎02-04-2018

@iamonourside

You already know that you won't be buying from this seller ... and you already know that whatever you say, it is likely to get you blocked ... so, why not just send a toned down version of your message?

Dear Seller;

I read your terms of service regarding returns and restocking fees. Your "terms" are hostile and against eBay policy ... and are probably costing you sales (like mine).

As a friendly heads-up, I would like to mention that the MBG already covers returns of items not as described. The MBG overrides any and all terms that you have written.

https://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/money-back-guarantee.html

Having a return policy means that you take returns for any reason. And, in fact, eBay will automatically accept remorse returns for you (this was part of the Fall 2017 Seller Update).

And, one more thing ... you can only charge a restocking fee if it is selected in your formal return policy.

I suggest you do some reading of eBay policies.

Thank you.

Buyer (but not from you)

penguins_dont_fly is a Volunteer Community Mentor
Buying and Selling since 2013

fern*wood · ‎02-04-2018

Frankly, since ebay micromanages about everything on their platform, why do they allow this to continue?

The rules are rather clear and yet many sellers think they can get around them in one way or another---even well known posters on this board.

Since ebay allows return policies to set limited guidelines, such as the return must be within the time frame allowed or in the same condition as sold, why don't they have these options as pre -filled caveats to pick from when listing? Obviously, saying "no returns for remorse" will not be among them.

buyselljack2016 · ‎02-04-2018

wrote:
@iamonourside

You already know that you won't be buying from this seller ... and you already know that whatever you say, it is likely to get you blocked ... so, why not just send a toned down version of your message?

Dear Seller;

I read your terms of service regarding returns and restocking fees. Your "terms" are hostile and against eBay policy ... and are probably costing you sales (like mine).

As a friendly heads-up, I would like to mention that the MBG already covers returns of items not as described. The MBG overrides any and all terms that you have written.

https://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/money-back-guarantee.html

Having a return policy means that you take returns for any reason. And, in fact, eBay will automatically accept remorse returns for you (this was part of the Fall 2017 Seller Update).

And, one more thing ... you can only charge a restocking fee if it is selected in your formal return policy.

I suggest you do some reading of eBay policies.

Thank you.
Buyer (but not from you)