Does choosing no return policy in your listing mean anything?

[mnss]

The short answer is No. Then you ask why is it even there? Please read my actual conversion with ebay rep below when I called to complain why ebay sided with the buyer who wanted to return my item although it was clear he/she had not been honest about the reason for return

Me: So basically what you saying is the buyer does not have to provide you with any proof that my description and pictures were any different from the item they  received. 

ebay rep: correct

me: So If I list an item with no return policy and the buyer just says that the item was not as described then you side with him/her without any proof and you deduct the return shipping costs from me right?

ebay rep: right.

me: So what does no return policy in the listing mean and is it fair that sellers put all the time in selling their items and the buyer changes his mind and just file a dispute with ebay that the item was not as described and I even lose money on that for shipping both ways?

ebay rep: That is a good question. Unfortunately you are correct. No return does not mean much. The buyer can just say the item was not as described and he can return the item at your cost. This is the risk you are taking for doing business on ebay. 

[edealsunlimited]

ebay doesent protect the sellers ,,,,,, I sell gun parts and many people think they can be a gunsmith and do there own work, 9 I ALSO HAVE IN DESCRIPTION AFTERMARKET PARTS REQUIRE FITTING )when they find out they cant do the work they say NOT AS DESCRIBED and always get to return. I the seller then lose shipping both ways

Ive complained 900 thousand billion times to ebay support to no evail. I say they need a new system for 
" not as described" 

[kensgiftshop]

A no return policy only covers remorse returns.

When you have a no return policy, buyer knows the only way they can return an item is to file an INAD, even if it is a false one.

When they file an INAD, about all you can do is accept the return and pay to have the item returned.

[mam98031]

The return policies options are as follows.

1. No Returns
2. 30 day returns w/ buyer pays shipping
3. 60 day returns w/ buyer pays shipping
4. 30 day returns w/ seller pays shipping, AKA Free Returns
5. 60 day returns w/ seller pays shipping. ALA Free Returns

With option number 1, No Returns the seller can completely deny taking a return for a Buyer's Remorse Return Request.  Or if they want to they can accept the return and have the buyer pay the return shipping.  If the seller so chooses they can withhold the original shipping if it was separately stated on the listing [not free shipping] when it is time to refund the buyer.

On options 2 & 3 the buyer is responsible for the return shipping on a Buyer's Remorse Return.  Plus if the seller so chooses they can withhold the original shipping if it was separately stated on the listing [not free shipping] when it is time to refund the buyer.

On options 4 & 5 above, they are also known as Free Returns.  If a seller that has either of those policies they will pay the return shipping even on a buyer's remorse return.  A seller can withhold the original shipping value from the refund if the shipping was separately stated in the listing [not free shipping].  Also Seller’s offering options 4 or 5 have the ability to do partial refunds in certain cases if the item arrives back damaged, missing something or in a condition less than what it was sent to the buyer in, see the policy for more details, the link is below.

ALL OPTIONS [1, 2, 3, 4 and 5] are required to process SNAD claims without exception.  Even if they are improperly filed and should have been a Buyer’s Remorse claim.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/handle-return-request-seller?id=4115

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/seller-updates/2018-spring/simplified-returns.html#m17-1-tb1

[nsmit128]

I agree 100% I love when I get the "not as pictured or described" return requests 6 weeks after they received the item. C'mon ebay! Does it really take a person 6 weeks to figure out the item they received was not as pictured or described?!?!?!?!?!   Not as pictured or described returns should not be allowed more than three days after an item has been delivered. 

[nsmit128]

Sad but true. Ebay has become a very lousy place to sell stuff online. It is hard to believe that I once loved this website as much as I once did. My love for this website has been replaced with a deep seated hatred due to the financial position it has put me in the past two years. 

[mnss]

Did you even read my message before bothering with so  much typing.  Please read and respond appropriately like every one else. Thanks!

[mam98031]

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@mnss wrote:

Did you even read my message before bothering with so  much typing.  Please read and respond appropriately like every one else. Thanks!

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I provided information on the various return policies on Ebay.  It may not be useful to you, but it may be to others.  You know we all come here on our own time to try and assist others, find information and sometimes just to vent.  

[orangehound]

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@mnss wrote:
Does choosing no return policy in your listing mean anything?

The short answer is No.

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Actually, choosing a no return policy does mean something.   There is lots and lots of evidence that it hurts sales ...  a lot.  So, I would interpret that to mean that it scares away a lot of buyers who want the security of returns.

Most buyers who do make purchases from "no returns" listings also want returns because it is simply life in America these days ... but they didn't notice that the listing was "no returns", so many will lie to activate the MBG and get a return.  eBay supports this position because they want to be known as the most liberal returns marketplace on the internet.

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Then you ask why is it even there?

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It is legacy from many years ago.

There will be a day in the not-too-distant future that eBay will eliminate it entirely.  As it is, I agree that it should be eliminated ... if eBay isn't going to have a "No returns. All Sales final." option, then what is left is deceptive.  The current policy really is "No returns (unless a customer wants to return it)."

[mnss]

If you don't think my above conversation with ebay rep is weird enough continue reading. I as a seller had a complaint about another return that the buyer clearly had not even read my description for the item.  Please  read the actual conversation between ebay rep and me and judge for yourself. 

me: So you agree with me that the buyer did not even read the description as it is very clear in the buyer’s first message to me and you ebay still side with the buyer that the item was not as described. 

ebay rep: Yes I can see that you explained it in your description and he did not read the descriptor but the fact is the computers make these decisions and we don't have much control over it. If the buyer says the item is not as described then he can return the item.

me: So you do not really investigate or ask for any proof from the buyer like pictures and not even an explanation why he/she thinks the item is not as described.

ebay rep: Correct we don't investigate or ask the buyer for any proof.

me: When ebay says that they step in to resolve the dispute there is an assumption on the part of the seller that ebay is acting as an arbitrator. Arbitrator is usually a person who tries to be fair. Now you tell me no matter how much proof the seller shows if the buyer says item is not as described you side with him/her. What kind of arbitration is that? This sounds to me ebay is all about business not fairness. Ebay is trying to do business like Walmart with their return policy. The difference is ebay does it in the seller's expense. If the transaction is successful ebay makes it's 10% and it not successful it will be only the seller who has spent time listing and answering questions and taking a loss after shipping costs both ways What is fair about this?

ebay rep: I am sorry you feel that way about it. I am just letting you know what ebay policy is. 

[mam98031]

I get where you are coming from however it just doesn't work that way on Ebay right now.  Last October they pretty much changed the system to a no fault return system.  Buyer can win for any reason they want to dream up no matter how much proof you may have to the contrary.

I had one where the buyer filed a SNAD, said they didn't receive what they ordered.  The buyer even verbally described what they received and even attached a picture.  Everything they said and even the pic matched the listing perfectly.  It also matched the purchase record and the PP payment notification.  Ebay still would not stand up for me.  I had to take the return and refund.

I've had similar situations happen a couple other times since October of last year too.  None of which I should have lost because by the buyer's own admissions they got what they ordered.

[fern*wood]

Yes, that's pretty much how all NAD returns play out.  Most of us have had false ones.   If a buyer wants to return something, and you have a no return policy, then some will just make up something in order to be able to return the item.  

Also, some make up things to avoid paying the shipping, but not all buyers will be dishonest.   So if you have a return policy and the buyer just changes their mind, many will pick a remorse reason if one is available.  Most of my returns fall into this category and I am not on the hook for the shipping.  

Of course, not all buyers will take the false NAD route, if you have a no return policy, either.  I know I wouldn't, so a no return does mean something to honest people. 

 I just wish ebay would not feature that big easy return button so prominently, as if to encourage them is the end goal. 

[orangehound]

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@fern*wood wrote:

 I just wish ebay would not feature that big easy return button so prominently, as if to encourage them is the end goal. 

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Yea, eBay wants to make returns easy.  But, I actually got a wee bit excited about the return interface for about a month or two.  Up until about 4 weeks ago, eBay had changed the display of the return reason ... remorse reasons were only shown, and the user had to manually expand the list to see the SNAD reasons.  As a seller, I really liked that approach.  But, alas, it looks like it has now reverted back to the older format.  😞

[mnss]

I hope you read my second conversation with ebay about another sale too. You do not even have to give a reason and tell ebay why the item is different from the description. Just select the item is not as described and you are good. I sold an iPhone with cracked screen which I posted pictures of and described it also. The buyer returned it and his reason for not as described was "it's not safe to use a phone with cracked screen". Can you believe that ebay sided with him. 

[mam98031]

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@mnss wrote:

I hope you read my second conversation with ebay about another sale too. You do not even have to give a reason and tell ebay why the item is different from the description. Just select the item is not as described and you are good. I sold an iPhone with cracked screen which I posted pictures of and described it also. The buyer returned it and his reason for not as described was "it's not safe to use a phone with cracked screen". Can you believe that ebay sided with him. 

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I'm not surprised.  Ebay made significant changes to the return process last year with the introduction of the Service Metrics.  Nothing in those changes were good for sellers.  You are absolutely correct.  We can deliver EXACTLY what was described and pictured in the listing but if the buyer files a SNAD for Not as described, they can type in a reason that is completely correct as to what the listing says and Ebay will still force the seller to accept the return for refund or refund without a return.  

Heck the buyer can even attach a picture to the claim that further supports EXACTLY what the seller said in the listing and Ebay will side with the buyer.  Believe me as I've had this happen a few times now since the changes in the system.