Returns...

[dieselram94]

Ok, my position is I do not accept returns for two reasons. The first being I'm not a business and once I sell an item I don't want to see it again; and the second being I just flat out don't want the hassle. I am very clear about this fact in my listings and have never had any buyer ask to return something. However eBay wants sellers to offer returns. What do you guys do on this issue?


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[ConceptualizedNetherlandr]

You can keep that setting, but you are still at the mercy of that system for like 6 months. It is unreal. And the buyer doesn't have to prove anything.

 

[dieselram94]

I realize eBay can force a return. I guess what I'm asking is those of you who accept returns voluntarily, how often do you run into taking returns?


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[2Minnesota]

I think the amount of returns would depend more on the type of stuff you sell. Clothes, shoes, boots, etc will most likely have a higher return because of the chance of not fitting. I've had a few returns but not a very big percent of my sales. Many CL ear pictures, accurate descriptions, and a return policy stated under the "return policy" are helpful to deter the returns. This is my policy:

Buyer to forfeit initial shipping charge on returns unless item grossly misrepresented in listing. Many photos provided for description adjunct. Item must be exact item sent. Money will be refunded when item is returned in exact condition it was received.


I've only paid for the return shipping once because my measurement was off in the listing.

 

[Joe777Cool]

I accept returns because it's part of top seller requirements and I like the discount. I've had 174 transactions in the last 12 months, and have had a total of 3 returns. I stipulate that I do accept returns but buyer must pay shipping cost both ways. I sell mostly coins, some jewelry and other antiques.

 

[dieselram94]

These are great points. How much is the discount? I sell mostly used truck parts but am always looking to mix it up some. I rarely sell any type of clothing or jewelry.


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[Paleo_joe]

I accept returns because I began ebay buying and selling arrowheads and there no returns means what you are selling is fake. I don't sell arrowheads anymore but I still deal in collectibles and I get MAYBE 1% returns. A couple a year, usually my fault somehow.

 

[dieselram94]

I accept returns because I began ebay buying and selling arrowheads and there no returns means what you are selling is fake. I don't sell arrowheads anymore but I still deal in collectibles and I get MAYBE 1% returns. A couple a year, usually my fault somehow.

That's excellent. I can see offering returns if your only getting a 1% rate of returns.


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[mugsisme]

I see higher returns when I offer free shipping. It states very clearly in my auctions that free shipping is not refundable, but I have still had people pitch a fit. So basically, I rarely offer it.
I do give 14 days. I'm not going to offer 30 days. I'm not Amazon. This is just to support me,but ability to buy more. In the last 2 years, I've only had one person wait until the 14 days was almost up to return. Everyone else wrote to me with in a day or two of receiving the item that they wanted to return.
My thought is, if you don't offer returns, they are just gonna use INAD to be able to return it anyway.

 

[Joe777Cool]

If I remember correctly the top rated seller discount is 20%.

 

[huntsman53]

If I remember correctly the top rated seller discount is 20%.

20% of what? I see folks state that eBay takes 13% of everything a person or business sells but that figure might be higher or lower depending on whether the Seller has an eBay Store, gets the Top Rated Seller discount or how the item(s) is/are listed. I know that with all of the fees they charge me on Reserve Price, Sub-Title, Listing Designer, Final Bid Price and on Shipping, they are into my' pocket at over 20% on most items. In fact, I just calculated the fees that eBay charged me on two small items sold together for $28.50 and the fees came to 0.2350877 percent. I did much better on a Fajen Rifle Stock that sold for $127.50 that did not have a Sub-Title in the Auction and the total fees were 0.1323137 percent. How do they expect me to stay in business and keep selling on eBay when they hit me with such fees on practically everything I sell and which sells for under $100 and especially under $50 and then PayPal gets another 3% or more on top of that??!!


Frank

 

[ConceptualizedNetherlandr]

20% of what? I see folks state that eBay takes 13% of everything a person or business sells but that figure might be higher or lower depending on whether the Seller has an eBay Store, gets the Top Rated Seller discount or how the item(s) is/are listed. I know that with all of the fees they charge me on Reserve Price, Sub-Title, Listing Designer, Final Bid Price and on Shipping, they are into my' pocket at over 20% on most items.

I would drop all the extras. Use the free listings they give you and only pay final value fees.

In fact, I just calculated the fees that eBay charged me on two small items sold together for $28.50 and the fees came to 0.2350877 percent. I did much better on a Fajen Rifle Stock that sold for $127.50 that did not have a Sub-Title in the Auction and the total fees were 0.1323137 percent. How do they expect me to stay in business

they don't, they expect them to stay in biz

and keep selling on eBay when they hit me with such fees on practically everything I sell and which sells for under $100 and especially under $50 and then PayPal gets another 3% or more on top of that??!!


Frank

 

[trdhrdr007]

If you are paying more than the standard 10% for eBay fees & 3% for Paypal you are doing it wrong. I have a basic store that runs $15.95/month that lets me list 150 BIN in any category & 100 auctions in collectibles each month for free. With the store you pay a maximum of 9% in fees with a lot of categories a lot less. If you use good keywords, 12 clear pictures, & an accurate description you don't need to pay for the extras AND you will have a low rate of return. Getting & keeping Top Rated Seller status gives you an additional 1% discount plus gives you discounts between 13-60% on USPS postage purchased through eBay. That more than makes up for the fee on postage.

 

[Joe777Cool]

Frank - I average 9-11% in fees including my store subscription price ($15.95/month), final value fee of 6% for coins (discounted because I have a store), paypal 3% fee, and any other misc fees. Subtract 20% for top rated seller and you get 9-11% depending on $ sold for the month. TOTAL.

you need to skip -> "Reserve Price, Sub-Title, Listing Designer," ESPECIALLY reserve price. big money for that. Start your auction at the lowest possible you would take for it or do a fixed price listing.

If I could get the same price for some of my items locally, I would sell locally and avoid Ebay. I cant. Some things just do better in other parts of the country, world, or have a very small market/audience that will never see that item in an antique mall case.

 

[JustinNH]

The TRS discount that comes with returns/1 day ship is sizable for me... I'm close to $300 this year (I track it, might as well).

I figure: returns are going to happen if the buyer really wants it... and a forced return is a defect and probably poor feedback... a normal return does not count as one (unless they check defective to get out of paying return shipping).

I ship 1 day anyway and the several hundred bucks I save on fees more than offsets any cost of returns due to my error or the customer lying.

 

[dieselram94]

Thanks for the replies everyone. If I want the discount I have to offer returns on all items, no exceptions? Correct?


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[trdhrdr007]

Thanks for the replies everyone. If I want the discount I have to offer returns on all items, no exceptions? Correct?

When I 1st got TRS status I had listings that didn't comply with every requirement. I was still able to sell those items but didn't get the discount. It didn't affect my discount on those listings that met the requirement. That may or may not have changed since last year and/or with the upcoming policy update.

 

[JustinNH]

Thanks for the replies everyone. If I want the discount I have to offer returns on all items, no exceptions? Correct?


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No, you can set which ones you want to. I remember I didn't allow returns on rolls of pre 60's nickles for the first few I sold but then figured I might as well. All my other items got the 20% without issue. That is why they have TRS and TRS+ items. TRS means you qualify and TRS+ items are items a TRS sells that meet the returns/handling.

Wow, that sounded way more confusing than it is... lol... sorry

 

[dieselram94]

No, you can set which ones you want to. I remember I didn't allow returns on rolls of pre 60's nickles for the first few I sold but then figured I might as well. All my other items got the 20% without issue. That is why they have TRS and TRS+ items. TRS means you qualify and TRS+ items are items a TRS sells that meet the returns/handling.

Wow, that sounded way more confusing than it is... lol... sorry

Nah, not confusing at all. I have TRS. status already. I was just confused if you wanted TRS+ status if that meant all your items had to be returnable.


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[NJcigarman]

So you all know the 14 days means nothing on a return. The ebay policy is 30 days on a return. I just had a battle with them and lost twice.
I had a sale go to Chicago ordered on July 1st and delivered on the 6th. This hood rat contacts me on Aug 1st that she wants to return candy. She states she did not receive it until July 27th? and it tastes funny. I ask where has it been for 25 days and my returns clearly state 14 days. So I refuse the refund and she opens a case. Ebay rules in her favor as part of buyer protection all items have 30 days to be returned. Having 14 days on the auction really means nothing. I am instructed to refund her once I receive the return. I have an open case until August 27th as she never returned the candy. eBay sends me a message case closed, buyer never sent return. Three days later I get the return shipped on the 27th. I refuse it and return to sender. On the 28th eBay took the money out of my paypal account and refunded the buyer. I got a defect for not refunding her as promised when I received the return. I called eBay and asked what does it mean case closed? I kept at it and eventually spoke to someone in this Country. In so many words if a buyer requests a refund within the 30 days. It does not matter when they send the return you have to refund them. I never could get an answer about Case Closed. If any of you are thinking why did I do the return to sender? I did not want any fleas or bedbugs in my building!!!!!!