"International returns policy"

[terrycanarsky]

We've been trying to revise our listings to comply with eBay's multiple policy adjustments (continual process the last two years, pretty ridiculous).  In reviewing the new returns policy FAQ, I came across the shown information BUT the ability to specify the international return information as shown is NOT available on our listings.  All we have is the ability to adjust the domestic returns as shown.

(I'd think the 29th of May would qualify as "late May", right?)

@Anonymous  could you please enlighten me/us?

~M

[Anonymous]

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@terrycanarsky wrote:

We've been trying to revise our listings to comply with eBay's multiple policy adjustments (continual process the last two years, pretty ridiculous).  In reviewing the new returns policy FAQ, I came across the shown information BUT the ability to specify the international return information as shown is NOT available on our listings.  All we have is the ability to adjust the domestic returns as shown.

(I'd think the 29th of May would qualify as "late May", right?)

@Anonymous  could you please enlighten me/us?

~M

---

Hi @terrycanarsky, I'm happy to provide an update on this! We are currently working on rolling out options for international return policies to our eBay.com sellers and should have this completed for every seller by the end of the day tomorrow. Keep an eye on this and let us know if you have any concerns after the 31st.

[green-night]

Good question by the OP @terrycanarsky  @Anonymous

I've been wondering myself this as well. 

Does this mean sellers literally have a day or two to fix their listings before international buyers can ask for free international returns?

[phono_0490xxxxxx]

@Anonymous

Re. International returns policy.

Watching and waiting on this as an International buyer.

Having zero issues with International trading in the past and so, no need for seeking MBG return, I still see this as being overly biased to the buyer and onerous on sellers if return is funded by the seller.

Having reviewed many threads here I also see valid grounds for objection by sellers and a growing distrust of buyers, notwithstanding the level of problem free trading occurring every day.

This distrust is amplified when in an International trade context given shipping costs involved.

I'm buy for my and sellers benefit, not for the benefit of shipping services or agents, especially PB.

Interested in difference between; 

1. Direct to me from seller [say USPS with NOD],
2. GSP  and,
3. Direct to my US Shipping Agent [being my US postal delivery address].

A link to this policy 'announcement' [seemingly only for sellers?] would be handy here.

[terrycanarsky]

Seller Update  "Simplified Returns"

There's a lot of info there, but this is the link to the page.

~M

[terrycanarsky]

According to the page, "Starting in August 2018, listings that you have not updated to one of the new returns policy options, including Good ‘Til Cancelled, will automatically be updated for you."

~M

[green-night]

I guess my question to @Anonymous would be this:  I've changed many of my listings over to offering free returns so that I will be eligible for the final value fee discount, but since as far as I am aware, the feature to separate domestic buyers from international ones isn't yet available, does this mean that until it is, sellers who offer free returns are offering it to international buyers as well since we can't differentiate at this point?  

[Anonymous]

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@phono_0490xxxxxx wrote:

@Anonymous

Re. International returns policy.

Watching and waiting on this as an International buyer.

Having zero issues with International trading in the past and so, no need for seeking MBG return, I still see this as being overly biased to the buyer and onerous on sellers if return is funded by the seller.

Having reviewed many threads here I also see valid grounds for objection by sellers and a growing distrust of buyers, notwithstanding the level of problem free trading occurring every day.

This distrust is amplified when in an International trade context given shipping costs involved.

I'm buy for my and sellers benefit, not for the benefit of shipping services or agents, especially PB.

Interested in difference between; 

1. Direct to me from seller [say USPS with NOD],
2. GSP  and,
3. Direct to my US Shipping Agent [being my US postal delivery address].

A link to this policy 'announcement' [seemingly only for sellers?] would be handy here.

---

Hi @phono_0490xxxxxx, can you elaborate on what differences you are talking about? If you let me know your specific concerns I'm happy to address them!

[phono_0490xxxxxx]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@phono_0490xxxxxx wrote:

@Anonymous

Re. International returns policy.

Watching and waiting on this as an International buyer.

...

Interested in difference between [International returns policy as applies to]; 

1. Direct to me from seller [say USPS with NOD],
2. GSP  and,
3. Direct to my US Shipping Agent [being my US postal delivery address].

A link to this policy 'announcement' [seemingly only for sellers?] would be handy here.

---

Hi @phono_0490xxxxxx, can you elaborate on what differences you are talking about? If you let me know your specific concerns I'm happy to address them!

---

• The difference in the returns policy, to buyer or seller an International , in the 3 different shipping methods noted above.  

I'm 'unofficially advised', by some on these boards, that there are differences in a sellers liability limitations.

I find this may be true, but this information is spread across a number of ebay policy and advice pages and subject to marketing spin in relation to GSP. [I consider being economic with the truth to be akin to a lie] .

• I'm looking at this from all angles [buyer and seller] including other entities [shipping service provider and ebay] POV,  as we all should. 

You maybe aware that I have come across a seller that cannot understand [possably not capable of understanding] true risks and safety and merit in International shipping. 

Rather, they are 'guided' by misinformation from 'unofficial chatter' on dubious discussion boards and anti-social network sites such a 'facebook'.

The rhetorical tricks in ebay information/marketing pages doesn't help either.

It should be made clear, without need to search though pages of information to find comparison details.

It is not just a matter of my concerns [one being ripped off by expensive shipping], it's a matter everyone should consider.

• From a seller, buyer, shipper, ebay perspective the matter of liability of the various shipping modes. Each Party here has their own POV that suits themselves, obviously.

To that effect:

For these 3 shipping modes that all provide tracking, sign for, and notification of delivery  vs

a) shipping time liability  

b) not delivered liability

c) returns liability - various circumstances

d) damage in transit liability

OMIT any matters relation to payment of tax/import duty liability.

Tip: Comparison charts would be the easy way to answer this.

A simple easy to understand for anyone, no matter how much time or attention span they may have.

I'm not expecting answer in this format, yet.

[Anonymous]

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@phono_0490xxxxxx wrote:

---

@Anonymous wrote:

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@phono_0490xxxxxx wrote:

@Anonymous

Re. International returns policy.

Watching and waiting on this as an International buyer.

...

Interested in difference between [International returns policy as applies to]; 

1. Direct to me from seller [say USPS with NOD],
2. GSP  and,
3. Direct to my US Shipping Agent [being my US postal delivery address].

A link to this policy 'announcement' [seemingly only for sellers?] would be handy here.

---

Hi @phono_0490xxxxxx, can you elaborate on what differences you are talking about? If you let me know your specific concerns I'm happy to address them!

---

• The difference in the returns policy, to buyer or seller an International , in the 3 different shipping methods noted above.  

I'm 'unofficially advised', by some on these boards, that there are differences in a sellers liability limitations.

I find this may be true, but this information is spread across a number of ebay policy and advice pages and subject to marketing spin in relation to GSP. [I consider being economic with the truth to be akin to a lie] .

• I'm looking at this from all angles [buyer and seller] including other entities [shipping service provider and ebay] POV,  as we all should. 

You maybe aware that I have come across a seller that cannot understand [possably not capable of understanding] true risks and safety and merit in International shipping. 

Rather, they are 'guided' by misinformation from 'unofficial chatter' on dubious discussion boards and anti-social network sites such a 'facebook'.

The rhetorical tricks in ebay information/marketing pages doesn't help either.

It should be made clear, without need to search though pages of information to find comparison details.

It is not just a matter of my concerns [one being ripped off by expensive shipping], it's a matter everyone should consider.

• From a seller, buyer, shipper, ebay perspective the matter of liability of the various shipping modes. Each Party here has their own POV that suits themselves, obviously.

To that effect:

For these 3 shipping modes that all provide tracking, sign for, and notification of delivery  vs

a) shipping time liability  

b) not delivered liability

c) returns liability - various circumstances

d) damage in transit liability

OMIT any matters relation to payment of tax/import duty liability.

Tip: Comparison charts would be the easy way to answer this.

A simple easy to understand for anyone, no matter how much time or attention span they may have.

I'm not expecting answer in this format, yet.

---

Hi @phono_0490xxxxxx, thanks for the added detail! I believe the following information should cover your concerns:

1. Direct to me from seller

   1. Shipping time liability  - the responsibility for on time shipping/delivery does not change for international shipments, though the timeframe allotted is typically longer due to the distance the package has to travel.

   2. Not delivered liability - the seller is expected to ensure delivery to the address they are provided in the order details. With a direct shipment internationally, this would be the buyer's location in another country. 

   3. Returns liability - no difference regarding returns liability for this sceanrio; the seller is responsible for accepting a return and providing return shipping compensation for an item that arrives in a different condition than the one described in the listing. They also need to accept a return that is requested during their return policy timeframe, with the return shipping costs being determined by the return policy that they offer.

   4. Damage in transit liability - Damage in transit while the item is on its way to the address provided to them in the order details is the seller's responsibility in all circumstances.

2. GSP

   1. Shipping time liability - The seller is responsible for on time delivery to the third party shipper located domestically.

   2. Not delivered liability - The seller is responsible for successful delivery to the third party shipper, but loss in transit after this point would be the responsibility of the Global Shipping Program.

   3. Returns liability - The seller is not responsible for damage in transit after successful deliveyr to the third party shipping location, but would be responsible for damage that occurs on the way to the Global Shipping Program's sorting facility. For concerns with an item that was not described accurately and for any returns requested within their return policy timeframe.

   4. Damage in transit liability - See answer 2.3

3. Direct to my US Shipping Agent
   1. Shipping time liability - The seller is responsible for on time shipping and delivery to the address provided at checkout. If this is a forwarding service, then the seller's responsibility ends after delivery to the US Shipping Agent.
   2. Not delivered liability - See answer 3.1
   3. Returns liability - The seller would be responsible for damage on the way to the forwarding service, but once the item is forwarded the item is no longer eligible for the eBay Money Back Guarantee. If the third party forwarding service you employ retains and inspects the package, a return request could be pursued as normal. If the package was forwarded to you, a return request would not be an option.
   4. Damage in transit liability - See answer 3.3

[flyerfandan999]

Para 2.3:

"Returns liability - The seller is not responsible for damage in transit after successful deliveyr to the third party shipping location, but would be responsible for damage that occurs on the way to the Global Shipping Program's sorting facility. For concerns with an item that was not described accurately and for any returns requested within their return policy timeframe."

Assuming there should be a comma rather than a peiod in the red-highlighted text.

So is it correct to understand that, just like domestic Buyers, International Buyers:

(1)  Have no requirement whatsoever to document or otherwise substantiate a return for reason "significantly not as described"?

(2)  That all they have to do, like their domestic counterparts, is click on "not as described" and the burden of the return costs are 100% transfered to the Seller, and they have no responsibility to demonstrate that the item is indeed significantly different from what was described?

Is that how it is?

[terrycanarsky]

@Anonymous- June 1, and this still has not been implemented in the listing creation.  Have there been unexpected glitches precluding the option(s) being made available after all?

~M

[lloydsteventaylor]

i use a business policy for returns and this morning i noticed that now i have the option to set a different policy for domestic and international. just this morning.

[terrycanarsky]

Interesting.  We're not seeing the option for International (which is what this thread addresses).  Perhaps it is NOT yet for "all sellers" as stated.

~M

[green-night]

@Anonymous

I am amazed that this feature was only given to sellers less than 24 hours before today.   And I am having major problems doing a bulk edit to fix my listings thanks to what appear to be endless glitches so I have a big problem on my hands.   Any suggestions?

Also many of my listings on ebay.com which I thought were fixed (first screenshot shows buyer paid returns on ebay.com for UK shipment  BUT shows up on ebay.uk (as an example) as being seller paid returns.   Why would that be?