HERE IS JUST ANOTHER REASON WHY I WILL NEVER DO FREE RETURNS

[luxgoods]

I recently shipped a shirt to a seller.  I carefully packed the shirt first in a clear plastic shirt bag and then in a 12X15 Ebay poly Mailer.  The buyer opened a case saying the shirt was too small.  The shirt arriveD back smashed in the original envelope which was cut to a quarter of the original size.  I was amazed that people can treat a return like this.  The buyer had me send the shirt to his law firm.  If this is a reflection of how he treat his clients I can't believe he is too successful

I sent him a very polite e mail asking him on behalf of all ebay sellers to consider returning any items in the condition that it was received.  I have not heard back nor do expect to.  And Ebay wants me to pay for this? Never going to happen

[orangehound]

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@caninekopz wrote:

If a site certain policies, then I will choose what to sell and what I can take a chance on loosing.  Amazon, at least with us, has done a good job of weeding out bad buyers and will actually refund my money if a product comes back and the return issues was lied about or came back damaged.  Amazon protects us at least to the point where I can take a chance on a loss.

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Yep.  That's true.  We pay higher fees on Amazon, but that's worth it because Amazon makes efforts to (a) get rid of thieves and dishonest buyers; and (b) demonstrate trust with sellers.  eBay does neither.  As a result, we are hesitant to list items over $200 on eBay, but instead list them on Amazon (or other sites).

eBay's internal policies need significant revision.  I believe that they need to either have a "trusted seller" program whereby a certain category of seller is believed; or, eBay needs to absorb the losses of all returns since they have taken complete control over screening and handling of buyers.

Secondly, because of the liberal return atmosphere that is growing on eBay AND the penalties for returns, we are moving items that have a history of high returns over to other sites.

[sgtleftysauctions]

I'm with you, eBay is plumb lazy siding with Buyers for false returns I am so sick of it! Am not sure why they set out policies from them and ours in our listing when they just ignore them. Just had another dishonest buyer, wore & damaged a vintage piece of jewelry then returned. Oh did I mention eBay said I'm a "casual seller" I replied pardon me for fighting off cancer this past year, I was a bit busy!

[plumbingspecials]

There's no human factor in eBay's formulas.
Hope you are well now!

[theoldstuffpeople]

Agreed, agreed, agree! BEWARE IF YOU OFFER FREE RETURNS 30 DAYS BEFORE YOU GO ON A VACATION FOR MORE THAN A FEW DAYS YOU COULD LOOSE BIG! Your return rate will increase.  Those buying will be more likely to take advantage of the situation.   So a buyer starts a return while you are away.  Ebay automatically approves it after 2 days and provides a free (to buyer) shipping label.  Buyer ships right away.  You aren't back within a few days of receiving the return so you cannot examine the package.  After a couple of days your buyer calls ebay because you have not refunded (because you are not home to look at the return), and they get their refund.  You get back home and find a fraudulent return, you, the seller has to fight for your money, which a good chance you won't get back, and eBay will never ask for the money back from the buyer. AN EASY EBAY SCAM IN THE MAKING!  So when we go on vacation it might be wise not to advertise your return date to make it a little less obvious that the buyer's scam will work.   I offered free returns to help my expected loss due to the new policy of 14 days without a sales & markdown. But even with price matching my regular prices to my previous prices, offering free shipping, free returns, guarnateed delivery, order discounts, and promoted listings, without sales/markdowns - that little slash through the price & a deadline to buy, my sales dropped 100%%%%%. And now with free returns ebay does not guarantee that we will get discounted ebay shipping when we pay for the return label, I have experience this, pd more to return ship 1/2 order than i did to shop whole order to buyer. outrageous.  i spend hours on the phone with ebay.  my return rate has skyrocketed.  and i know that buyers will take advantage.  i discussed this thoroughly with ebay before i went with free shipping, they said they would penalize buyers who take advantege, ya **bleep**. 

[ceeceekittygirl]

Thank you for the info.  I also will not do free returns.  Since I no longer qualify for the best seller discount and sticker because of this new requirement and other ebay changes,  my sales are down over 60% over the last 31 days.  After sales were up every month over last August for 12 months, now this August my sales accross the board are down more than 20% over the last year and the number of items sold  from avg. of 57 month to less than 30 and that is with around 400 listings.  I can no longer afford a basic store since my profit is roughly $80 a month now and if this was ever a flegling business, now it is an expensive hobby!!!  I don't make any $$$$.  All my work is for making the post office, ebay, paypal and my customers richer.  Time to quit ebay!!!!  I don't get a lot of scammers, when I do ebay always finds in their favor!!!!  I call ebay almost daily with issues, I never get any resolve in my favor.  ebay itself is becoming a scammer and we sellers are the marks!!!!

[jawkoo]

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@sgtleftysauctions wrote:
I'm with you, eBay is plumb lazy siding with Buyers for false returns I am so sick of it! Am not sure why they set out policies from them and ours in our listing when they just ignore them. Just had another dishonest buyer, wore & damaged a vintage piece of jewelry then returned. Oh did I mention eBay said I'm a "casual seller" I replied pardon me for fighting off cancer this past year, I was a bit busy!

Ebay needs to step back and realize that Ebay was built on the backs of "casual seller". Ebay started out as basically an online yard sale. Now you get so much new stuff with stock photos and no description. You will see the same stock photo for pages if you look up phone chargers. I have been on ebay for 19 years as a “casual seller”. This has allowed me to be a stay at home mom to my special needs daughter and her 7 siblings. Lately it seems that ebay wants to cater to the big box stores and very high sellers who can afford offering free returns. Saying “this is what the buyer expects”. Well I expect the buyer to look at the listing check the photos and measurements and make a good decision on if you want to buy this item or not. No I don’t know if it will fit you.

I had one buyer a few years back that wanted to return a pair of women’s size 12 jeans because they did not fit. All measurements were provided in the listing. I told her ok but she would need to pay for return shipping. she was appalled that she would not get the original shipping and return shipping cost back. Claiming that all size 12 jeans fit her and there must be something wrong with them. well my wonderful ladies out there reading this. We all know that is a lie.

I have been a power seller plus for a long time until they implemented there new rule with the free returns. Just one more hoop to jump through. I miss the small business feel of the old ebay. I have had quite a few issues over the last 6 to 12 months with dishonest buyers Opening a claim to get the free return shipping. I have reported a few also.

I have been adding to my listings, “please look at all the photo and measurements carefully because the only one making money on returns it the post office”

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[calistas_closet33]

what is new is that ebay doesn’t look at cases, buyer can abuse system and they sanction

[sgtleftysauctions]

I often wonder if we have recourse to recoup some of these fees that eBay so generously apply to our losses? I mean if they want to give a frivolous refund that's their biz, I don't and won't!

[plumbingspecials]

..

[ceeceekittygirl]

How can you stop them from taking your money w/o closing your account?  The latest thing is that they will be charging a fee on sales tax with their new payment system!!! is that even legal.  And they will now be charging us a few for the buyer guarantee program they so graciously fund with our money anyway - but now a fee to impliment this system?  Look at the new payment system they want us to rush and sign up for.  Can we get even more Fu**ed?

[cccentral]

As of recent over the 9 months I have had more returns for "not as described" than over the last 5 years.  I have had 2 fraud/scam cases on $300 plus items where the buyer switched out with with used items.  Several returned items that were suppose to be returned in new condition but was opened or broken.

I am a power seller and have a no return policy.  I will always take a return on my dime if it is my fault or issue with my product.    Items that were brand new sealed were returned with torn packages recently.  I called CS to dispute.  Dispute was denied as the CS explained to me that I should assume a percentage of loss (from consumer fraud) in my business model.  I was told that since I am a power seller and not the casual seller; cases like this will likely be denied moving forward.

[ceeceekittygirl]

So sorry to hear this. Ebay is a real monster, chewing up sellers to make their buck. This is so far from what ebay started out as. Even though I average less than $50 a week in profit, I am also considered a power seller, so I don't have room to "absorb" any kind of loss without going down the hole. Only the big guys and people unloading unwanted gifts will remain on ebay! After the first of next year, I will become a very casual seller, it is just too much work for way too little $ to continue.

[spiprn1]

Why wait on the phone just have them call youback that is what I do.. they call me back so I dont have to sit on hold and I can do othe things...

[spiprn1]

But us newbies cant compete with people on Amazon  I do ok here but I have seen Amazon sell dirt cheap and fullfillment by amazon is great if you have the money to ship merchandise to them which i dont lol so i go where its cheaper i guess  I do have my own website tho and I have no rules there

[kennys-kollectibles]

What you say is so true.