returns are out of control

[lasantino]

oh my gosh,,  I have had more return requests in the last two weeks than i've had in the last 4 months!.. this is ridiculous,, this is exactly why I had a restocking fee on remorse returns.  !

I have no problem accepting returns if something doesnt' fit, or the buyer doesn't like it.  However, I did not want to have buyers purchasing things to try on ,, or check it out..!,,  The returns in the last two weeks are all legitimate.  But the reasons for return are ,, i just didn't like the color or bought three dresses and this was not my favorite!

This is exactly what I wanted to avoid.. Buyers starting to expect that they can buy something as a try it option!,, that's not in my business model!  If a buyer wants retail service and otions... (returns , just becuase, etc).. they should have to pay retail!  .. so basically,.. Ive had over a thousand dollars of return requests in the past two weeks!.. High dollar items(as compared to my average inventory item price).    

uggggg

[lasantino]

@zamo-zuan  

First, I continue to be in awe of your detailed , and thorough explanations.  Holy moly,, the pre information you gave regarding part numbers..i'm very familiar with that, but your explanation will allow any reader to understand what you are talking about!   I need this skill!  tips, hints, books, ??lol

 Second, yes, the change you describe is happening in other categories also,, listings that used to show up, because they were similar,, now aren't showing up.  

this is obviously a search engine programming problem,,, geez,, and we thought Casini was bad.. this new search should be named Clueless..

[lasantino]

again.   Some stores build that cost of doing business into their prices.. 

Ebay in general is known for having better prices than retail. 

sellers are already working on thinner profit margins. 

If a buyer wants to treat purchases from ebay sellers as a try on service.. or a try out period.  I would like those buyers to pass me up.. but ebay is conditioning buyers to expect to be able to do the same things they do at huge stores..  

theres a difference between someone buying something, and it didn't fit.. vs. someone buying something, not even thinking it will fit, but maybe hoping, or not sure they like it.

the second type of buyer, is not doing anything wrong, per se.. but it doesn't work for my business model.  and ebay should not try and apply macro policies to millions of different sellers.  ..  what may work for one seller who sells widgets.  doesn't work for a seller who sells rare collectible statues.. etc etc.

[lasantino]

also, in the example you give,, 

a seller who has multiple sizes and colors of an item is not the same business model as a seller who sells HTF, or high end designer items.. 

however buyers are being conditioned to think all ebay sellers operate by one set of rules.. and that seems to be ebays goal.. however,,  one set of rules does not work for millions of different business models

[bubbleman2010]

You need to pay close atention to your return ratio number thats where the damage will be coming from...

[culp424]

Not necessarily. Maybe sales have increased for larger resellers but as free retuns rolled out and I switched my items over to that.....my sales have tanked. I went from making $3000 a month to 1500 a month with increased Free returns. I may just go ahead and let my top seller status go and turn them off, and cut my losses.

Ebay customer service suggestrd i make use of my credit for promoted listings. I can't justify spending money on advertising if I have a high rate of returns and a low rate of sales.

[savent-0]

Ebay has become ReturnBay™ Half the time I don't even get my item back and they still issue a refund on the bases of a tracking number the seller provides to the same zip. So my guess is they are just putting tracking numbers on enevelopes sent to the local mcdonalds. So they can show delieved to same zipcode.

EBAY IS FOR BUYING SCAMMERS AND BULK CHINESE SELLERS ONLY.  THIS PLACE IS DYING.

[vintagecraze50]

Ya--the free return will be great IF the option produces an good increase in volume which may offset the cost like all the biggies do. The smallies may have a bit of a time with this, as you need VOLUME to offset big try on just for the heck of it buy it and return it folks. The other issue is that it is becoming common practice for people to buy it try it and return it. That is why there is the seriel returner monitor going on at most retail establishments at this time. The biggies do not like how it eats into theri costs either. Included Mr Bezos.

[sodelight]

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@couldabeenworse wrote:

However, I did not want to have buyers purchasing things to try on ,, or check it out..!,,

That describes a No Returns policy.   You're kinda tryin to have your cake and eat it too: you're getting extra sales because buyers want the security of being able to return stuff, but you don't want to let them return stuff.

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The OP doesn't offer Free Returns. The listings I saw show Buyer Pays. But that still costs the seller money, as they lose the intial shipping and risk the item being returned in worn condition.

It's beause of the use and abuse of clothing and related items I will not sell them. Too many use ebay as their own personal closet. People have no conscience. They want to shop with their fingertips, not lift a finger to drive anywhere, and give the seller that finger by returning the items for any reason they like.

[sm870298]

You describe NUBUCK the accuse a buyer of lying....ok

[mr_lincoln]

@zamo-zuan  How does one get to Terapeak to useit?

[grayirongolf]

The guy's that are running this place have been wasting other people's money for years & years.

I don't think they will be bending on this policy anytime soon.  The Free returns is a ticking time bomb for any company big or small.  Tic, Tic, Tic..

[ryanrobyn]

I think the reasoning to more returns marked as NAD is so that the seller will eventually be required to pay higher Ebay fees due to having too many. Ebay is enourging this probably figuring that the lost of a fee for a single item will be outweighed by the seller having to pay higher fees for everything they sell. 

[mr_lincoln]

@ryanrobyn

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@ryanrobyn wrote:

I think the reasoning to more returns marked as NAD is so that the seller will eventually be required to pay higher Ebay fees due to having too many. Ebay is enourging this probably figuring that the lost of a fee for a single item will be outweighed by the seller having to pay higher fees for everything they sell. 

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Regarding the new SNAD metric and threat of higher FVFs they should at least eliminate SNADs or ANY reason for a return if Seller's offer Free Returns.  Free Return listings should NOT be counted in any metric against Sellers since they are agreeing up front to accept and pay for a return shipment. 

While I do NOT agree with the F.R. offering I am actually testing it on lighter weight items to see if the 15% promised increase in sales is real or not ... I suspect it is not only because where in the world would they get that % having never offered F.R.s before?  I wonder if it came from the same hat that magicians use to pull rabbits from ... I think you can find those on eBay too ...

[ryanrobyn]

For me the F.R are a disaster as many forms of mail from Hawaii where I have 2 stores are much higher for me than for others. This is also why not as described items are killing too.

[lasantino]

i didn't accuse the buyer of lying.   i simply stated that the shoes were leather , not nubuck and thus, i refunded immediatly..  

it was an honest mistake I made in the listing.. I sell a lot of arche shoes and they are mostly nubuck.. but in this case.. the boots were regular leather ..... i'm not sure what the tone of your comment was..you may have been saying it with humor.. so i'll stop there.