Buyers being prompted to start returns.

[ga-cracker]

I buy and sell on eBay.  Today I noticed an item I had purchased was listed under "Orders" with the prompt "Return this item" hightlighted in blue.  I as well as the seller had left positive feedback for each other and I was more than satisfied with the product and service, so why prompt me to start a return?  Was the seller in trouble, or was the product being recalled?  No, eBay thought it would just be easier to start a return if the the prompt was highlighted.

I don't like this as a buyer because it creates doubts about the transaction, and I don't like it as a seller because it may also put those thoughts in my buyer mind.

[dirk12955]

Ebay is working itself into a frenzy trying to be just like Amazon and Walmart.

Towards that end, Buyers need constant hand holding and reassurance that everything they do here can be reversed at the push of a button.

[plumbingspecials]

"Returns" is a selling point for eBay to entice more buyers, specifically buyers who do not bother to read descriptions. It is a bubble that will burst (not just for eBay, but all online retailers). This is dangerous. If there is a REAL reason to return something, ten it is necessary to have the returns available. But this and other sites encourage buyers to buy, use and return. No business can run that way very long. It is unbelievable that anyone with business management up at the top of the ladder is allowing this.

[mvondwin]

You are assuming someone at the top has business management skills?

[twobearstrekking]

As a Top Rated Seller, I will be eliminating returns beginning June 1 - I'm not going to offer FREE Returns just to get a 10% discount. I hope this backfires and enough TR sellers go to NO RETURNS that eBay reconsiders this nonsense.

[orangehound]

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@twobearstrekkingwrote:

I hope this backfires and enough TR sellers go to NO RETURNS that eBay reconsiders this nonsense.

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The 10% discount is enough of an incentive that it makes sense on high dollar, low weight, low-probability-of-returns items.

[twobearstrekking]

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@orangehoundwrote:

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The 10% discount is enough of an incentive that it makes sense on high dollar, low weight, low-probability-of-returns items.

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Definitely something that some sellers may consider, but even a $300 item with a 9% ebay fee would only yield a discount of $2.70. I can't think of many lightweight high-value items where there isn't inherent risk already. In any event, hopefully that still wroks for some sellers. It won't work for me or most of the sellers that I know.

The greater point is that eBay is making us beg for the few crumbs that they are still willing to throw us. Eventually they will get around to everyone, even if it doesn't impact a seller this time around.

[vintropalace]

I am in total agreement with you 

i dont have a huge social media presence, but my 1k followers and every eBay seller I know will be tagged in a message stating we should come together and start something like what you have suggested 

[ga-cracker]

I am now being prompted to start returns even before items purchased are received. I am thinking of going to "no returns" especially for items  I offer with free shipping. 

Been buying and selling since 1999 and remember when feedback was important!  Looks like returns for no reason is now paramount with eBay. Of course customer service says they are not prompting people to make returns, just making it easy.

[startmark]

@twobearstrekking-- I have never offered returns as a top rated seller. I do not care about the discount. Of course if something got damaged etc, I will definitely take care of my customer. But I saw the "free returns" when they rolled it out as a problem and stayed with my no returns policy. Whenever Ebay rolls out a new (great for the seller) gimmick, it is exactly the opposite. It is only for Ebay's bottom line. I never buy into their gimmicks. I am being dropped into guaranteed delivery because of my shipping. I have 3 days handling but ship most of the time same day or next day. On May 1st when it appears on my account- I will opt out. I do not want to add stress to my life by guaranteeing something that I may not be able to meet (sometimes a heavy work schedule and life get in the way). 

[fine_find]

🙂 🙂 🙂 You're so right! 🙂

Just like the doctors are not the ones treating you anymore. Someone who knows absolutely nothing about medicine is now telling the doctors what they can prescribe for which ailment. 🙂

[fine_find]

I'm with you. I have more than one store and I am 'NO RETURNS' for any reasons. If you wish to cancel a sell, do so before I ship it as I am always happy to work with the buyer if I can. I offer positive customer service and am there before, during and after a sale. Just don't ask me to accept something back after you buy, handle and whatever else you might to my things, because I stated clearly I would not. Read the description under 'RETURNS'.

[vintagepipes]

Right on!

[Anonymous]

But doesnt eBay side with the buyer anyways.  I thought if I did not offer a return policy, that eBay could step in and authorize it anyways. So I just take my chance.  I sell smaller priced items so the 10% does not amount to much anyways. I will investigate and will stop making returns acceptable if eBay cannot override that.   Am I wrong?

[fine_find]

EBay isn't forcing anyone to offer a return policy. They are encouraging the sellers to do so however. Things get so blown out of proportion on here so easily. The TRS are the only ones that stand to loose anything if they don't agree to the 30-day return policy as well. They get discounts for having the return policy and now eBay is telling them they need to make it 30-days or loose their eligibility for the discounts and badges. The truth is, sellers with the No Return Policy actually help eBay whenever they have a bad buyer and point that out to the Buyer so they don't have to grant that buyer a refund when they purchase from a seller who has it. I am totally 100% No Return Policy on all stores.

Now, that said. Any buyer can get a return from any seller regardless of the seller's return policy. But if the return was bad, the seller has the option to file for an Appeal and with their Sellers Protection protect themselves from bad buyers who abuse the return policy. Whheew! I hope I got it all on there.

Today's my birthday. 🙂