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Misuse of the returns policy

Is anybody else experiencing a lot of buyer claims for 'items received damaged/incomplete'? I pick, check and pack all my items myself, so i know exactly what condition they leave in. Each time i offer to replace the item i am told 'i want a refund, i already bought a replacement myself as i needed it quickly'. 

 

This to me suggests that for the 'incomplete' claims they either only want a certain part of the item, which they remove and claim was never there and get refunded and the item collected for free, and for the 'damaged' items they have changed their mind when it arrives, no longer want the item, and purposely damage the item in order to not have to pay the return costs (i accept returns if the buyer changes their mind if they pay the return costs). Some of them are not clever enough to also damage the packaging in the relevant area, and the latest one to try it actually admitted the packaging was undamaged and still sealed when it arrived, yet claimed the inside of the sink bowl was received with very obvious, large scratches!

 

As obvious as some of the attempts are, eBay then ususally, despite the evidence against the buyer rule their favour, and i have to fork out!

 

Is it just me?

Message 1 of 6
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Misuse of the returns policy

I have same issues. Buyers claim item not working, which they are when shipped. I have a restocking fee for just this issue but Ebay ignores the issue no matter if I report buyer. Seller protection does not exist with Ebay and no matter how many times I complain to them, they won't do anything. Scam buyers are ALWAYS the winners and the sellers are ALWAYS the losers.
Message 2 of 6
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Misuse of the returns policy

It seems we've had more returns requested in the last week so far than in several previous months combined.  In our primary category (Business & Industrial), it's not unheard of to have a used thingamabob not work, but this is becoming ridiculous.  "I don't like the way this new thing looks even though it looks just like what's in the picture."  Returns all over the place, new/used/for parts only - doesn't matter, just file a NAD.

 

But it's all about the "buyer experience", not the truthfulness of it.

 

~M

Message 3 of 6
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Misuse of the returns policy

eBay created the misuse of the return policy - buyers know they can return for any reason whatsoever at the cost of the seller whether the return is truthful or not.    Since you are in EU, the same applies which is why I've stopped shipping internationally as I refuse to pay for international return shipping as I would be bankrupt soon.  

Reporting buyers does not help,  because even if "warned" more than likely the buyer will just start a new id or find some way to finagle out of rules.  I stopped selling here last year because, between eBay and PayPal, it is not worth it for me.  I do not sell new items, mostly vintage so there will be some that are not in perfect condition and it should not take anyone six (6) months to figure out that an item/product "does not fit" or whatever.  I do realize that online selling is far different from B&M, however, even B&M stores and some online businesses are stopping the blood flow. 

Message 4 of 6
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Misuse of the returns policy

this just happened to me recently....sold a sub that was working and buyer opened a return request stating that the sub ws not working. Accepted the return and got the sub in  bad shape. The main speaker was torn up and the magnet structure was rattling around inside. Bench testd the sub for a week using another speaker and there was nothing wrong with the sub.  Had no choice but to refund the buyer his money and had to pay for the return shipping.  I had a strong suspicion that the buyer replaced the main speaker with his defective one  from his other sub that was the same model as mine.  Makes me sick to my stomach since I didn't take steps to protect myself from this possibility.   From now on, it is good practice to write down any serial numbers or make marks on your items and take pictures of them before shipping.

Message 5 of 6
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Misuse of the returns policy

eBay doesn't take serial numbers into consideration when making a decision about a SNAD complaint.

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