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.

[kmoriarg]

It doesn't matter if you turn off automatic returns according to the new rules.  As long as the customer is paying for the shipping back, ebay lets them ship it back regardless of whether they used it or not.

[kmoriarg]

Thank you. I changed the settings and hopefully it will resolve my problem.

[mr_lincoln]

@richard1rst

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@richard1rst wrote:

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.

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So, that explains why suddenly I was automatically accepting returns and advised that it was because of my returns policy ... which I never touched nor did I know where it was set up ... other than when it happened I guessed it was part of being politely and professionally invited (ie: forced at cursor point) in to Seller Hub.  Thus far I have not had many returns so I'll snoop around in there when time permits.

[missjen831]

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@kmoriarg wrote:

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.

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Why would you have such a silly unenforceable return policy? The money back guarantee means you automatically accept not as described and damaged returns period. When you have a return policy, you accept returns for ANY reason, period. You cannot limit the returns you accept, you accept them all. 

[pjcdn2005]

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@kmoriarg wrote:

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.

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@kmoriarg

Your return policy "Returns are only accepted on items not as described or damaged"  is not allowed. The MBG covers items that are not as described or damaged. Accepting returns means that you accept them for buyer's remorse, doesn't fit etc...

https://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/return-policy.html

If you accept returns, a buyer can return an item for any reason, even if they change their mind about a purchase. This is true as long as the return meets your return requirements, for example, returning an item within your stated time frame, and meeting item condition requirements.

Important: Even if you specify "no returns accepted," under the eBay Money Back Guarantee the buyer can still return an item if it doesn't match the listing description.

[stuff4divas]

Just rec'd an email from eBay a few mins ago stating:

Returns are now easier and faster

Refresh my returns policy to trim returns processing time

Update Policy

Automated returns acceptance - for any item that comes with a buyer pays return shipping policy, returns are now automatic. eBay will automatically accept the return request and provide the buyer with a return shipping label. 

Less than full refund returns - you can now deduct up to 50% of the item price if the returned item is damaged, missing parts, or otherwise not in compliance with eBay's returned item condition policy.

[pjcdn2005]

That less then full refunds option is for sellers that offer free return shipping.

 https://community.ebay.com/t5/Announcements/Fall-Seller-Update-Automatic-Acceptance-for-Returns-and-...

Partial Refund Option for Free Returns

Sellers who offer free returns--free return shipping and no restocking fees--now have the option to give less than full refunds. You can deduct up to 50% of the item price if the returned item is damaged, missing parts, or otherwise not in the same condition as when you shipped it.