Am I better off not allowing returns due to ebay's automatic return policy? I am losing money!

[kmoriarg]

Ebay has automatically allowed 3 returns now due to buyer Remorse.  My return policy always states that I only accept items on not as described or damaged items and I always work with the customer on issues.  2 of the items came back in opened packaging and were a mess.  I am waiting on the next automatic return to come back and am hoping that the $200 handbag is in the brand new condition that I sent so that it is resellable.  Ebay has taken away a good seller's ability to work with the customer first before allowing a return and so far it has raised my returns by 50%.  I am a long standing seller and shouldn't have this policy enforced on me.  I can understand if I was a new seller to ebay and needed to be on a probationary period.   I have no choice to just have "no returns" be my return policy.  I think more sellers will move in this direction to gain back some control over their sales.  It is too bad that ebay, once again, does not care about their sellers.

[sam9876]

If you set your policy to "no returns", buyers will simply start filing SNAD complaints so that they will get a 100% refund and have you pay for return shipping.

[creoleorchid]

If you check the box for "returns accepted" on your listing, then put qualifers in your description like "only for not as described" or whatever, the return is automatically accepted.

You can opt for No returns but like Sam said, be prepared for SNAD claims. You can fight some of them if you have a message from the buyer indicating remorse but it will require a lot of time and energy. I just accept them and don't list anything I'm not willing to take a hit on.

[johnvan1]

All part of eBay's War on Sellers. They believe that they need more buyers, screw the Sellers.
If you're losing money on eBay consider other sales venues, Amazon has similar return policies but they track buyers' return habits and impose limitations for having too many returns. Of course there is also Craigslist, Kijiji, etc., etc.

[richard1rst]

There is a place on the returns page to set your return policies. Click that link and there is a place where you can turn OFF the automatic return feature.

[stuff4divas]

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@richard1rst wrote:

There is a place on the returns page to set your return policies. Click that link and there is a place where you can turn OFF the automatic return feature.

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Hello, where is this feature to turn OFF the auto returns? I see a 'set up return automation rules'  but it only allows a set up for certain conditions to 'send a refund' or 'approve a return', nothing to stop auto returns.

[richard1rst]

From Seller HUB, click on OVERVIEW.

On the right side of that page in the block to the upper right click on “all open returns/replacements”

On the left side of the page under a list of options click on “return preferences”

That will get a page that says “Create Basic Return Rules”  

Near the bottom of that page it will say “Approve a return”. In your case it most likely says “ON”

Change the info as follows:

"The total refund is" change it to "$1 or less”

Then there are a list of reasons. Click “clear all” and then click “Ordered by mistake”. If you don’t do that, showing a specific reason, then it will default to “any reason”

Then click the TURN OFF button.

Other sellers, one already has, will caution you that they can then file a SNAD complaint. They can do that anyways.

The point here is that if they file a return request you get a chance to review it and maybe contact the buyer to work out a deal instead of an automatic return.

[stuff4divas]

That is what i already looked at and mine says 'Turn on' in light blue (non-clickable), but as soon as I put the $1 in, it turns to the dark blue (clickable) 'Turn on'. I even clicked on the bottom 'create your own rule' 'go to advanced return rules' and it allows 3 choices to automatically approve a refund, replace or return, but no 'stop auto returns'. From the 3 return requests over the last few weeks, ebay automatically approved 2 returns 'changed mind' and 'ordered by mistake', but not the 'doesn't work or defective'. But thank u for your info.

[green-night]

If you accept returns there is really not much of a reason to not have automated returns.  You have  to accept all returns. 

With the exception of NADs which I don't automatically accept since I might just refund those w/o reutrn. 

[shoptalkid]

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@richard1rst wrote:

There is a place on the returns page to set your return policies. Click that link and there is a place where you can turn OFF the automatic return feature.

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This is what I did.  I still accept returns but manually approve them.  Amazed at how the number of return requests declined when I turn it off. 

[woodyscollectibles]

Turn off your auto return so you can work out the problems with the customers first. I refuse to let them do an auto return for me. When I sell an item I always send a message that states if you have any issues at all message me first so I can help out. That has saved me on a couple returns. I was able to work them out without negative feedback. Not that it always work but I don't deal with alot of returns. Good luck................Woody

[creoleorchid]

@stuff4divas

I just looked at one of your listings and it does say 30 day returns accepted. Then you go to put qualifiers under the shipping tab. 

Return policy

After receiving the item, contact seller withinRefund will be given asReturn shippingRestocking Fee

30 days

Money back

Buyer pays return shipping

20% restocking fee may apply

Return policy details

Items must be returned as originally listed, where applicable, ie: tags attached, unused, labeled packaging, etc.

You must have set up your listings with Returns Accepted, I'm not talking about in your preferences, they've already told you how to opt out of that.  I'm talking about how you set up the listing form. Are you using the advanced form?

[stuff4divas]

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@creoleorchid wrote:

@stuff4divas

I just looked at one of your listings and it does say 30 day returns accepted. Then you go to put qualifiers under the shipping tab. 

Return policy

After receiving the item, contact seller withinRefund will be given asReturn shippingRestocking Fee

30 days

Money back

Buyer pays return shipping

20% restocking fee may apply

Return policy details

Items must be returned as originally listed, where applicable, ie: tags attached, unused, labeled packaging, etc.

You must have set up your listings with Returns Accepted, I'm not talking about in your preferences, they've already told you how to opt out of that.  I'm talking about how you set up the listing form. Are you using the advanced form?

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I don't remember, I've been selling for about 10 yrs and have always accepted returns, no matter the reason, I just remember changing the 14 day to 30 day policy in order to maintain the TRS status and 'supposed' benefits. I never went into the procedures mentioned by 'richard1rst'. I explained what happens when I do the different procedures on my answers to 'richard1rst', including the 'advanced return rules', but I will try again. I just don't know how to stop the automatic approval process, I'd rather do them manually as I have always done. Thank U.

[kmoriarg]

Regardless of the return policy (even with specifications), as long as you allow returns, ebay is now automatically accepting the returns.  Ebay told me the only way to not have this happen is to not offer returns at all.  I am trying the no returns route for awhile and will see if my sales decrease because of it.  

[kmoriarg]

My return policy was to just accept returns on not as described or damaged items.   I wanted to limit the buyers who just bought stuff to try-on and return.  Now, even though I have that written in my return policy, it doesn't matter.