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Returns Concerns

 

So I’ve told by a few buyers that I'm known on the community for being a bad buyer.  Not sure how true this is but I can see why some average/low grade sellers would assume that. I purchase NEW items and many sellers on ebay are resealing packages or claiming the item is new then it's not. So I have much more returns than I wish I did. So many buyers think I’m scamming them. Which makes little to no sense to me why I would order an item, receive it, and then decide I don't want it and ship it back...Anyways,  I just wish sellers were disciplined more for trying to pass used items as new. I don't think a single seller has ever received a warning or anything negative for doing this. While, in my business I will lose my customer and/or job selling used items as new.

  Any advice or has anyone else experienced issues like this? Thanks guys!

Message 1 of 29
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28 REPLIES 28

Re: Returns Concerns


@b-elite* wrote:

 

 I purchase NEW items and many sellers on ebay are resealing packages


Some sellers use the manufacturer’s catalogue picture for their listings. I, and many others, prefer to take our own photographs of what we are selling. Mostly because sometimes the manufacturer changes the design but not their stock photo.

 

So the package is opened, the item photographed, and then packed back in the box and resealed.

 

Additionally, if the item was fragile or susceptible to damage I would open the box to be sure it was OK before shipping it to be sure it did not get damaged between the manufacturer and me.

 

Those do NOT constitute used even the package has been opened and resealed. If an open and resealed box is your reason for sending it back then I would consider you picky too and add you to my bad buyers list.

"Laissez-faire capitalism (AKA The Great Material Continuum) is the only social system based on the recognition of individual rights and, therefore, the only system that bans force from social relationships." ~ Ayn Rand
Message 2 of 29
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Re: Returns Concerns

Opening the package (breaking manufacture seals, tape, etc) and putting it back in the box is NOT considered new.. Please read the ebay guidelines regarding item conditions. It's pretty frusterating for people to steal others photos and claim it's their product, when their product has been opened and they're selling it as new because they know they will get more for it. It's very shady business..

Message 3 of 29
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Re: Returns Concerns


@b-elite* wrote:

Opening the package (breaking manufacture seals, tape, etc) and putting it back in the box is NOT considered new.. Please read the ebay guidelines regarding item conditions. It's pretty frusterating for people to steal others photos and claim it's their product, when their product has been opened and they're selling it as new because they know they will get more for it. It's very shady business..


Actually what the guideline says is:

 

New with tags: A brand-new, unused, and unworn item (including handmade items) in the original packaging (such as the original box or bag) and/or with the original tags attached.

(Notice that there is no comment about a broken seal).

 

So tell me, if I can not break the seal then how do I get the pictures that you surely want to see?  New is "unused and unworn" and that is what you get even if I have to break the seal to get pictures.

 

Or are you suggesting I should use someone else's pictures? Nope - you already addressed that.

"Laissez-faire capitalism (AKA The Great Material Continuum) is the only social system based on the recognition of individual rights and, therefore, the only system that bans force from social relationships." ~ Ayn Rand
Message 4 of 29
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Re: Returns Concerns


@b-elite* wrote:

Opening the package (breaking manufacture seals, tape, etc) and putting it back in the box is NOT considered new.. Please read the ebay guidelines regarding item conditions. It's pretty frusterating for people to steal others photos and claim it's their product, when their product has been opened and they're selling it as new because they know they will get more for it. It's very shady business..


Yes, that is technically true.  But, this is a lose-lose situation for an eBay seller ... on the one hand, eBay's policies clearly state that we are to take our own photographs for items ... on the other hand, we can't sell an item that isn't photographed.

 

(I suppose I just expect eBay buyers to understand.)

 

By the way, customers open packages all the time in stores to inspect them, and sometimes even try them on (e.g., shoes).  Technically, these are now "used".  Could you imagine how expensive things could get if retailers had to declare all these products as "used"?  But .... they just put them back on the shelves as new, and buyers understand.  Stores (and Amazon) also reshelve/resell customer returns that do not appear to be used as new ... pretty common practice.

Message 5 of 29
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Re: Returns Concerns

What kinds of products are you buying?   Depending on the nature of the product I would think at the very least the seller should indicate that though the item appears to be unused, the package has been open to verify contents on his listings or maybe mention that product will be opened prior to shipment.   It's a bit of a grey area though.     One thing that gets me is the use of the vague terms "New Old Stock" or "New without tags".   These are descriptors that open the seller up for potential problems down the line.    I think it's very important to select the words that are used to describe the condition (new/used/etc) and we do so carefully in our listings.     It also would be a good idea for the buyer to ask questions regarding the state of the items they are purchasing.  I would assume that having had to return a number of items for the same reason, that you would be doing that now.   A good seller is careful about the words they use to describe their product and a careful buyer always asks questions.  🙂

Message 6 of 29
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Re: Returns Concerns


@b-elite* wrote:

Opening the package (breaking manufacture seals, tape, etc) and putting it back in the box is NOT considered new.. Please read the ebay guidelines regarding item conditions. It's pretty frusterating for people to steal others photos and claim it's their product, when their product has been opened and they're selling it as new because they know they will get more for it. It's very shady business..


Stock photos does NOT = "stolen photos".


mam98031  •  Volunteer Community Member  •  Buyer/Seller since 1999

"I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you." Quote from Edward I Koch

Message 7 of 29
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Re: Returns Concerns

This is how Ebay defines the various item conditions.

 

New

A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). Packaging should be the same as what is found in a retail store, unless the item is handmade or was packaged by the manufacturer in non-retail packaging, such as an unprinted box or plastic bag. See the seller's listing for full details.

New other (see details)

A new, unused item with absolutely no signs of wear. The item may be missing the original packaging, or in the original packaging but not sealed. The item may be a factory second or a new, unused item with defects. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections.

Manufacturer refurbished 

An item that has been professionally restored to working order by a manufacturer or manufacturer-approved vendor. This means the product has been inspected, cleaned, and repaired to meet manufacturer specifications and is in excellent condition. This item may or may not be in the original packaging. See the seller's listing for full details.

Seller refurbished

An item that has been restored to working order by the eBay seller or a third party not approved by the manufacturer. This means the item has been inspected, cleaned, and repaired to full working order and is in excellent condition. This item may or may not be in original packaging. See the seller's listing for full details.

Used

An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections.

For parts or not working

An item that does not function as intended and is not fully operational. This includes items that are defective in ways that render them difficult to use, items that require service or repair, items that are locked or can't be activated, or items missing essential components. See the seller's listing for full details.

 

Not all items that are NEW come in sealed packages.  And that is an important fact to remember.  You may be judging the sellers you are buying from a bit harshly.  You have high expectations and you have a right to feel that way.  But sometimes are high expectations really are caused or the fault of the seller actually doing something wrong.  We just want something a certain way.  And sometimes we will read more into something that is really there.


mam98031  •  Volunteer Community Member  •  Buyer/Seller since 1999

"I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you." Quote from Edward I Koch

Message 8 of 29
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Re: Returns Concerns


@siamdao wrote:

What kinds of products are you buying?   Depending on the nature of the product I would think at the very least the seller should indicate that though the item appears to be unused, the package has been open to verify contents on his listings or maybe mention that product will be opened prior to shipment.   It's a bit of a grey area though.     One thing that gets me is the use of the vague terms "New Old Stock" or "New without tags".   These are descriptors that open the seller up for potential problems down the line.    I think it's very important to select the words that are used to describe the condition (new/used/etc) and we do so carefully in our listings.     It also would be a good idea for the buyer to ask questions regarding the state of the items they are purchasing.  I would assume that having had to return a number of items for the same reason, that you would be doing that now.   A good seller is careful about the words they use to describe their product and a careful buyer always asks questions.  🙂


"New Old Stock" is a common thing in some categories.  It may not be in the categories you buy or sell in, but in others it is.  It just means it is old stock, not currently in production, but it is still new and never used.  It happens a lot with books of all kinds.


mam98031  •  Volunteer Community Member  •  Buyer/Seller since 1999

"I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you." Quote from Edward I Koch

Message 9 of 29
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Re: Returns Concerns


@siamdao wrote:

What kinds of products are you buying?   Depending on the nature of the product I would think at the very least the seller should indicate that though the item appears to be unused, the package has been open to verify contents on his listings or maybe mention that product will be opened prior to shipment.   It's a bit of a grey area though.     One thing that gets me is the use of the vague terms "New Old Stock" or "New without tags".   These are descriptors that open the seller up for potential problems down the line.    I think it's very important to select the words that are used to describe the condition (new/used/etc) and we do so carefully in our listings.     It also would be a good idea for the buyer to ask questions regarding the state of the items they are purchasing.  I would assume that having had to return a number of items for the same reason, that you would be doing that now.   A good seller is careful about the words they use to describe their product and a careful buyer always asks questions.  🙂

 

 

This is a very good question, many of the item I purchase are electonics. So once the factory seal has been broke, it's considered used in our book (ebay's as well) since that's no longer in "New A brand-new, unused, unopened" condition

 

 


 

Message 10 of 29
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Re: Returns Concerns

Yes, Amazon does resell items IF they are factory sealed still. Amazon is incredibly strict on anything that has been opened. You will get banned in no time selling on there doing that.. I wish Ebay was much more strict.
But again, I see some of your points, it depends on the item. Obviously, no one will know if you tried on a shirt and sold it with the tags on. This is not the same as opening a sealed Camera, checking it out and then putting it back in the box and selling it as "new". That would be "new other".
Message 11 of 29
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Re: Returns Concerns


@b-elite* wrote:
Yes, Amazon does resell items IF they are factory sealed still. Amazon is incredibly strict on anything that has been opened. You will get banned in no time selling on there doing that.. I wish Ebay was much more strict.
But again, I see some of your points, it depends on the item. Obviously, no one will know if you tried on a shirt and sold it with the tags on. This is not the same as opening a sealed Camera, checking it out and then putting it back in the box and selling it as "new". That would be "new other".

You seem to be convienced that all new products that come in a box are "sealed" boxes.  They don't.  Some manufacturers seal boxes and some do not.  


mam98031  •  Volunteer Community Member  •  Buyer/Seller since 1999

"I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you." Quote from Edward I Koch

Message 12 of 29
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Re: Returns Concerns

I understand that as well.. That's not my point.
Message 13 of 29
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Re: Returns Concerns


@b-elite* wrote:
I understand that as well.. That's not my point.

It certainly seems to be part of your concerns.  Just because a package isn't sealed, it can still be described as New.

 

Or are you saying you have knowledge of the manufacturers that seal their packages and those that don't?  I'm not trying to pick on you, I'm trying to understand.


mam98031  •  Volunteer Community Member  •  Buyer/Seller since 1999

"I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you." Quote from Edward I Koch

Message 14 of 29
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Re: Returns Concerns

If a package doesn't have a manufacturing seal, I'm aware of that before hand... If it does and its been broke, then it should NOT be classified as new. Not sure why this is blowing everyones mind here? This is the policy of Ebay and Amazon. Amazon is just much more strict.

My point is that i'm tired of buying new items and receiving opened used items.. Mostly electronics. 

Message 15 of 29
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