How many people actually return their items? (if they're not happy with something)

[Anonymous]

I've never done a return on eBay. I only get a sale maybe once a month. I wasn't selling at all for like a year after going through a bad situation with a buyer. I was going along good though for awhile until a couple of days ago, I get a buyer complaining about an item not being as described and wanting a refund. I approved the request for return. I thought it was unfair that I should have to pay for the shipping back to me because her complaint was the item was poorly made and not what was shown in the pictures. I've been making and selling these cloth pads for years, and have never gotten a bad feedback on them. It is also EXACTLY what was shown in the pictures. But, I do this anyway because I really have no choice, and explain to the buyer that everything needs to come back to me as I sent it to her for a refund. She didn't respond to me. It's been like three days, and as far as I know, she hasn't sent it back. 

People who do high volume selling - what % of people actually ship the thing back for a refund? I really just think she was trying to get a free thing, and thought it would be that easy. Is there any way that she can not send it back and get refunded? 

[lamber9347]

Once buyer opened a return case they are obligated to submit tracking, which eBay uses to verify the item was shipped back. Just be patient and wait for the timeline to expire. If buyer fails to return item within the time limit the case will close in your favor, congrats. 

If buyer tries to open a similar case via PayPal, you can then upload the case info and try to get that closed as well, but I think she may get a second chance to return if she choses that option. 

You really should stop all messaging with this buyer. Perhaps she was just trying to see if you would fold and offer her a refund but you called her on it and now she is stuck having to follow through. For your sake I hope you never hear from her again and you will succeed. patience is what will help you here. Best of luck to you....

[Anonymous]

Thank you, Amber. 🙂 

[onlinecentral]

Q: What % of people actually ship the thing back for a refund?
A: My return rate is 1.4% of transactions.
64% Pay the return postage.
36% I pay the return postage due to buyer dishonesty or incompetence.

[julitempleto_4]

There certainly are unscrupulous buyers in eBay land. I've had to begin putting tamper proof stickers on ALL of my items because despite very careful packing buyers still claimed that things were broken. 

[Anonymous]

How do they pay the return postage? eBay forced me to when I approved the return. I guess if it's a buyer's remorse thing, they have to pay it? 

[kensgiftshop]

I think it depends on the buyer and what they are after.

Some will file an INAD, to see if you'll just refund or offer a partial refund.

Once you accept the return, you done messed up their plans and they just keep the item.

[Anonymous]

I don't really care about this either way since it's $20. I just hope I don't run into more cases like this. I'm starting to get a lot more sales on my reusable cloth items. These really aren't items I'm going to want back as returns esp with covid going on. I'm surprised eBay even ALLOWS returns of these items. They can just say they don't like it, open a case, and I have to refund them. I can't afford to be doing that. In this case, the item was unused (I hope.).

It's bad, but people don't have as much money with the covid stuff going on, so I'm sort of bracing myself for more scams and buyer's remorse. 

[onlinecentral]

The seller pays return postage for these reasons:
1: Doesn't work or defective
2: Doesn't match description or photos
3: Wrong item sent
4: Missing parts or pieces
5: Arrived damaged
6: Doesn't seem authentic

The buyer pays return postage for these reasons:
7: Doesn't fit
8: Changed my mind
9: Found a better price
10: Just didn't like it
11: Ordered by mistake

[disneyshopper]

The buyer pays return postage for these reasons:
7: Doesn't fit
8: Changed my mind
9: Found a better price
10: Just didn't like it
11: Ordered by mistake

Only if the seller has a No Returns policy.

If the seller has 30 days return policy, seller pays for return policy regardless of the reason.

[pro-2a-solution]

Way too many! Not to mention, maybe 10% of returns are actually my fault....probably less. It sucks, but Amazon changed the game and us little guys have to adapt or die I suppose. The fact that eBay encourages returns (oh yes they do) is ridiculous. eBay needs to stick to their roots...they will NEVER be Amazon, nor should they be. Stand up for sellers more often and you will reap the rewards...

[mtgraves7984]

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@disneyshopper wrote:

The buyer pays return postage for these reasons:
7: Doesn't fit
8: Changed my mind
9: Found a better price
10: Just didn't like it
11: Ordered by mistake

Only if the seller has a No Returns policy.

If the seller has 30 days return policy, seller pays for return policy regardless of the reason.

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@disneyshopper 

I have 30-Day (buyer paid) returns. I can still reduce the refund if it's a remorse return. Unless that's changed...

I haven't actually had one in years, but thought I still had that seller protection. No?

[buyselljack2016]

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@Anonymous wrote:

How do they pay the return postage? eBay forced me to when I approved the return. I guess if it's a buyer's remorse thing, they have to pay it? 

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On "approved" buyers remorse returns the  buyer is presented with the option of purchasing a return label on eBay.

Other option is they pay elsewhere, and load the tracking # into the return.

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@disneyshopper wrote:

The buyer pays return postage for these reasons:
7: Doesn't fit
8: Changed my mind
9: Found a better price
10: Just didn't like it
11: Ordered by mistake

Only if the seller has a No Returns policy.

If the seller has 30 days return policy, seller pays for return policy regardless of the reason.

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For sellers with thirty day BUYER paid return policies, if they approve a buyer's remorse return the buyer pays the return shipping, not the seller.

FREE RETURN sellers pay for the return regardless of the reason.

[animal-house-8]

I get very few returns but did just get one for a $225. vase her reason was it was the wrong color your pictures showed it was yellow. Well it stated clearly in the description it was tan and brown and looked like it in the pics but she may have been using a phone and monitors show colors different, she did pay for the postage to and from so really no big deal. I would say about a 1-2% return is normal.