Return policy - Help me understand...

[illinoismoose]

Good morning.  As eBay is no longer going to reward me with a rate reduction (as I will not offer to pay for shipping on returns - for a small seller like me that is simply ludricrous), why should I even offer 30-day returns any longer?  I've never had any returns in 17 years, and I know that eBay/PayPal (both friends of buyers only) can force a refund, but why even open myself up to the option by making it available?  Just not feeling it.   

[juststuffisell · Accepted solution]

I would not let eBay's policies (desires) dictate your return policy beyond their minimum requirement. There are items I list that I simply don't want back and I try to price them accordingly with no return and usually free shipping to the buyer depending upon what it is. The items I am more interested in I will offer a 30 day return and drive on. I always try and maintain adequate capital reserves to account for any return. Free return shipping for most small sellers does not make sense on many used items and some new items. But....that is only my small seller opinion.

[illinoismoose]

Inclined to agree, which means going forward, returns will be offered on almost none of my listings. I'm confident enough in my representations of what I sell.

[kaelykat]

Keep in mind that no returns only applies to buyer's remorse returns. If the buyer claims item not as described, you will end up having ro refund them. If you want the item back, you will have to pay return shipping also.

[buyselljack2016]

@illinoismoose

I do not offer returns.  Only did on one item as the buyer did not understand the MBG. Was concerned that if there was a problem with the item that they would have to take the loss.

Rather than explain the MBG I just went ahead and added a 14 day return to the listing. I was confident that the item was exactly what it said it was, and was in good condition. All went well. That was the only time in 17 years that I got the TRS + discount.

So, having a "no returns" policy may deter some potential buyers if they think "no returns" means "no refunds". Personally I do not care if that happens. I do not rely on eBay sales to pay my bills. 

[illinoismoose]

Yes, I think we all understand that.

[woodwerk]

Seems the new return policy is creating an unnecessary strain on the seller. In practice, the seller can't depend on the money from the sale for 30 days, given the seller wants to retain the top seller rating. Likewise, if a new item is sent and used for 30 days and it comes back, the item could be worth practically nothing. I'll likely forfeit my rating and let the feedback speak for me. I'd like to hear some other opinions.  

[buyselljack2016]

---

@woodwerk wrote:

Seems the new return policy is creating an unnecessary strain on the seller. In practice, the seller can't depend on the money from the sale for 30 days, given the seller wants to retain the top seller rating. Likewise, if a new item is sent and used for 30 days and it comes back, the item could be worth practically nothing. I'll likely forfeit my rating and let the feedback speak for me. I'd like to hear some other opinions.  

---

(seller can;t depend on their money for 180 PayPal days, and maybe 1 year for C/C days)

How a "no returns" policy affects sale is probably pure speculation.  I don't know, and have no way of knowing if I would sell more items if I toon return for "any reason". 

There are probably studies/surveys that give those results. They may be skewed because some do not know that "no returns does not mean no refunds". eBay apparently believes that a returns accepted policy generates sales.

For me even if it decreases my sales I feel I am still ahead of the game.

As I sell mostly smalls with "free shipping",  if I took remorse returns through the resolution center, I would have to eat the initial shipping costs, and 30 cent Paypal charge.

If I did "free returns" there again I lose money on a "not my fault" return.

Can't chase the dwindled TRS + carrot.

[dudeboy777]

I totally agree. No use paying for someone to borrow your item and then having to pay to get it back. That's not what I am here for. let Ebay pay to have it shipped back if they want to offer free returns. I have found that people are smart and will find a way to contact you directly and avoid all ebays fees for a 10% discount because they are feed up with the bull.

[luv2findbargains]

Small Hobby seller here.  I do ZEbay as a hobby.  My sales are well under 2 grand a year.  Recently I sold some skin care as a lot.  The buyer contacted ebay and claimed items were old and out dated.  I was offered no choice, they took her refund from paypal and she returned the lot dumped in a box, not carefully packed as I sent it.  Interestingly enough I am selling the same products individually and have had no complaints, they are not old and outdated.

I pointed out to Ebay that the buyer made a false claim.  Ebay's response---- Selling the same items without complaints is not proof

Ebay does not nor ever will support sellers.

[babalu20]

A major online retailer and competitor, ahem, just said it was rolling out a policy to let buyers try on clothing before they paid for it. So do not look forward to anything but more lenient buyer centric policies here. It is sort of a race to the bottom to see who can devour the other.  Lots of sellers getting messed over.

Actually I think the future bodes poorly for eBay because unlike its competitors, it lacks any means to verify or even engage in the returns acceptance process.  Unlike a big box, eBay loses nothing when the returns process is used as enrichment by dishonest buyers.  So really it has no motivation to intercede in the process. I'm now waiting for a special policy to be carved out for Pacific Rim sellers so they do not have to eat the full return shipping on SNAD / EBMBG cases.

[subapete]

I agree, the new return policy just backfired. Since I am losing my discount anyway ( Why would I pay people to return my items? ) I am slowly changing all my listings to no returns. With no benefit to me for accepting returns, why bother?  

I considered offering "free" returns but after researching the community, those that did it switched back after return volume increased.  I will listen to their experience and become a "no return" seller now. I still would like to hear more  other sellers experiences  with this new policy both with returns and if your sales volume took a hit due to loss of discount / badge

[illinoismoose]

Yep.  I converted all of my listings yesterday to "no returns".  Today I get the canned email reaponse form eBay (Email reference id: [#153003713493639101933#])  - "We want to make you rmore profitable.  Become TRS" ... lol.  Seriously; I'd have sooooooo much more respect for eBay f they'd just come right out and say "Look; you're a hobby seller - we don't give a dang about you andwe'd actually prefer you don't clog up our site with your trivial little sales".  At least them I'd geve them some credit for being honest.