Losing my Top Rated Seller Status due to Ebays Policy I can't Offer Free Returns

[dm2756]

I have been a seller on ebay for 15 years, and a top rated seller since the program began. I don't agree with the free return policy, but I was willing to give it a try so as not to lose my top rated seller status and get lowered in search. Today I called ebay CS and have been transfered 3 times.  I wanted a clear clarification on exactly how this works before I opted in. I am a drop shipper I have 3 different address that returns go to. My suppliers all furnish prepaid labels for any defective, damaged or wrong item sent I do not have to pay for those.  I was told I can not furnish my own prepaid labels on free returns ebay will automatically send the buyer a label and charge my account. On buyer remorse items as I have it set up now the buyer pays I select what address I want the return to go to and provide a RA#  With free returns I understand I will now pay for the return shipping only ebay informed me that I can no longer select an address to return to all returns will now go to my home address.

This will bankrupt me, as my suppliers refund me back the cost of the item when return to them.

So thanks to ebay I will be lowered in search, and loss my top rated seller status because I can't offer free returns due to the way they set the policy up. So unfair. I could if they allow me to send my own prepaid label and select the address and provide a RA# for the return. But they said that is not an option at this time.  Whats even scarier is the on CS rep who was really nice and bent over backwards to find out exactly what the details was on this free return policy after being on hold, came back and asked if I could hold a little longer while he checked on somethng he found but could not disclose to me. So what is in that free return policy that affects the sellers but they can not disclose it to us??

anyone who wants to try this out really needs to call CS and get everything confirmed first.

[duckadoo]

dont blame you when they forget ebay is nothing without sellers  it will be too late for the them

[duckadoo]

30 day return is unfair to seller   it is now the race to the bottom for sellers  believe me 22 years on ebay worked great for many years and they now have  changed to Negative for sellers   you need a complete ebay degree updated all the time to keep up with there million policies  determined by people who have never sold on ebay  they want to make sure you know you are not independent but a employee with no benefits to say you need 30 day return just to get a break on 10 percent  perfered seller  well it doesnt take  a  smart person to realize maybe this is the end for a lot of sellers    whats next 60 day or 90 day return  or 120 day return 

[duckadoo]

times are a changing

[budunski]

Me too. It is just going to get worse. As small time sellers, we don't have our own business, as ebay controls all aspects. We dont mean anything to them, and there is always someone new to rereplace us. If you are truly unhappy, best thing is to sell all your merchandise and get out. The worst thing you can do is stock up on merchandise. You will totally regret it.

[whelan167]

Jumping through hoops is so true.  I'm sick of it too.  I sell items of all sizes and if I had a free return policy I would be broke the first time someone sent back a vintage chaise lounge because they were done using it for their camping trip.  I'm just going to take the loss of sales and look for extra ways to sell my stuff.  I'm just depressed about the whole thing.  I thought that since I was going to lose my 10 percent and my badge that I might as well change my policy back to 14 days and the system wouldn't let me on over half my listings???  

[whelan167]

I think I will change my policy back to no returns too.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@whelan167 wrote:

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 ... I might as well change my policy back to 14 days and the system wouldn't let me on over half my listings???  

The option to offer 14-day return policy is now available in just a few categories:

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

[whelan167]

I too am going to quit jumping through hoops to keep my Top Seller status.

[rt_21_trading_co]

I can't help but think that in reality, ebay exists because the sellers made it the place it is. WE offer the variety, the diversity, the uniqueness, and the service.

Sooo, maybe it is time to go with another platform.

I sell on Bonanza, Etsy, and BlueJay. I have had good luck on all of them. The sales may not be as FAST as ebay, but they are consistent and I believe that the MORE sellers go there the MORE buyers will. In fact I have sold some really weird stuff on BlueJay that I could not seem to sell anywhere, including a huge 5' wide lightbar that was the exact lightbar on the original Ghostbusters Ecto 1. It ended up going to Europe and the buyer paid $ 380.00 or the light bar and another $ 250.00 in postage.

The buyers only come to ebay because that is where they FIND the items we are selling. If they are being offered on other site then they WILL find them there eventually.

Just 2 of the item specifics are required to get the listing into google search engine. Most of my items listed on the above mentioned show up in google and I can trace the referrers back to google search for most of my sales on these other venues. That means it's WORKING.

Every item i sell somewhere else adds to my revenue and if it comes from a lower priced platform it also increases the revenue amount. And more importantly gives me a sale that ebay DOESN'T get to rip me off on.

I also have company web site, and that also shows up in google.

I don't recommend parting ways all together immediately, but start listing some items on other sites and see what happens. More sellers that do the better the other platforms will be. Put flyer in your ebay packages and point the sellers to the other venues.

There is Bonaza, Etsy, Addoway, Flea Market Online, E-crater, E-Bid, etc. You can even sell on Jet.com, Houxx, NewEgg, etc.

Here is another list with others and some of the same ones:

http://www.wheretosellonline.com/marketplace-comparisons/compare-fees-pricing/

And:

http://growingyourbiz.co/alternatives-to-eBay

Plus a dozen other sites with alternatives. You never know until you try. Alot of these other alternatives have been online for years and are in the search engines, and have had items from various sellers listed for years. If they weren't doing anything the would have went the way of the free GeoCities websites.

Now one ever though Ames, Zayres, GLF, Grants or any of those store would ever go out f business and they did. Maybe ebay will drop one day too.

[esg-enterprises]

Great post, we did not leave ebay, they have left us. If they want to be Amazon, have at it, but sellers of unique items need a platform that is what ebay used to be.

[kbcate]

It is not just the 30 day return that is irksome, it is PAYING for the 30 day return.

[annarborwatchcollector]

You'll need to drop the Free Returns to survive.

This push to offer "Free 30 Day Returns" is NOT in the best interest of sellers.

See:

Why Ebay is throwing its BEST Sellers under the Bus?

[luvclapton23]

Exactly... What is the point of having TRS (except to " reassure" a buyer) if you don't get to reap the 10% discount on final value fees if you don't comply with the FREE 30 day returns?!
I offer 30 day returns, but I will NOT offer free returns as I provide free shipping at purchase. My sales are not giving me much profit as it is anymore, so eBay's advice to "increase my prices" to cover potential free returns is ludicrous.
Fortunately I have only had one return request in the 15 years I've been selling. But I'm angry about this new policy. As a dedicated, fair, honest seller why should I be bumped further back in searches, lose a 10% TRS discount and earn less money now? I've said this before, but I really do think my eBay days are numbered. Spending time researching other venues now. Sad but eBay is not being fair or helping smaller sellers at all.

[luvclapton23]

Completely agree... Especially when I offer FREE shipping to begin with!
There are so many situations where I can see this policy is just plain wrong and is NOT going to bode well for the future of eBay.
I am fine with a 30 day return (I wasn't initially, but knock on wood it has not been a problem so far).
I am NOT fine in paying for the return either. I think I'll just start charging re-stocking fees then on returns.
But, for now, big deal being a TRS. I won't get the lousy 10% FVF discount now since I won't agree to free returns.

[luvclapton23]

Love your reply.
Succinct and to the point.
The solution for all of us in the same boat.
So much for working hard to retain a TRS / Power Seller status.
You are right. It just isn't worth it anymore...