ebay really wants to force all sellers to offer 30 returns

[tier1dc]

edit: meant "30 Day Free returns"

apologies if this has already been mentioned (please delete if that's the case)

We're making a change to the US Top Rated Plus badge requirements. Effective Jun 01, 2018,you must offer 30-day free returns and same or 1-day handling time to get a Top Rated Plus badge in the US.

what a load!

all for 10% off final fee. :doh:

[AnthonyCorona]

YOU'RE LIFE MUST REVOLVE AROUND EBAY!!!! Such crap especially for cards who can have value drop so quickly.

Sent from my LG-TP450 using Tapatalk

[casey]

It's a no-brainer to offer returns.

1. You already functionally do, whether you know it or not. Buyers can open a 'not as described' case (SNAD) and force you to take items back.

2. eBay basically always sides with the buyer. All they need to do is say "it doesn't look like the photo" or some other nonsense and they'll require you to take it back.

3. Returns are better than SNAD because, if returned, at least the buyer payers for return shipping. If SNAD, you'll be out your original shipping PLUS you'll have to pay for the buyer's return shipping to you.

[whyn0twynne]

It's a no-brainer to offer returns.

1. You already functionally do, whether you know it or not. Buyers can open a 'not as described' case (SNAD) and force you to take items back.

2. eBay basically always sides with the buyer. All they need to do is say "it doesn't look like the photo" or some other nonsense and they'll require you to take it back.

3. Returns are better than SNAD because, if returned, at least the buyer payers for return shipping. If SNAD, you'll be out your original shipping PLUS you'll have to pay for the buyer's return shipping to you.

Not true. They are trying to get buyers to offer free returns.

[checkoutmydeals]

You always had to jump through hoops to get top rated status.

Personally, I won't do the 1 day handling time. 99% of the time, I ship within hours, but there are some times when I might be out of town or something.

[tier1dc]

It's a no-brainer to offer returns.

1. You already functionally do, whether you know it or not. Buyers can open a 'not as described' case (SNAD) and force you to take items back.

2. eBay basically always sides with the buyer. All they need to do is say "it doesn't look like the photo" or some other nonsense and they'll require you to take it back.

3. Returns are better than SNAD because, if returned, at least the buyer payers for return shipping. If SNAD, you'll be out your original shipping PLUS you'll have to pay for the buyer's return shipping to you.

eBay is requiring 30 Day FREE return shipping now. That's the change.

[casey]

Ah, I didn't see that.

It still makes sense, since it's essentially the status quo + you get to advertise free returns, attracting buyers.

And, many people forget, that even if you don't offer returns and you think you can win the eBay case, you still have to deal with PayPal returns up to 180 days AND credit card chargebacks.

Basically, if you're selling online and think you're going to succeed by fighting off claims instead of making the buying experience as pleasant as possible, you're up against a stacked deck that will make it very, very hard for you.

[no10pin]

You always had to jump through hoops to get top rated status.

Personally, I won't do the 1 day handling time. 99% of the time, I ship within hours, but there are some times when I might be out of town or something.

Yep, I typically do as well, but the stress around it was making it not enjoyable at all. Also, eBay has no concept of business hours, so if someone on the west coast pays at 11:50pm their time, I wake up for work the next day already needing to ship to hit the proper window.

[shrevecity]

Ah, I didn't see that.

It still makes sense, since it's essentially the status quo + you get to advertise free returns, attracting buyers.

And, many people forget, that even if you don't offer returns and you think you can win the eBay case, you still have to deal with PayPal returns up to 180 days AND credit card chargebacks.

Basically, if you're selling online and think you're going to succeed by fighting off claims instead of making the buying experience as pleasant as possible, you're up against a stacked deck that will make it very, very hard for you.

Credit Card chargebacks are the easiest cases for sellers to win and if the buyer uses the Ebay checkout link then any case opened through Paypal is referred to Ebay not Paypal for resolution, and Ebay rules are applied.

I don't take returns on any of my items. The stress and headache of chasing Ebays carrot was just not worth it.

[casey]

CC chargebacks easy for the seller to win? That's a new one to me.

[Branesergen]

CC chargebacks easy for the seller to win? That's a new one to me.

They are. All you have to do is show it shipped. All cases are easy to win if you do everything like they lay it out for you. I've never lost a case and never even sweated losing a case.

[no10pin]

CC chargebacks easy for the seller to win? That's a new one to me.

Yep, they'll hold the money for a bit, but as long as you ship to the correct address, you won't lose a credit card chargeback case.

[casey]

How do you prove it wasn’t damaged?

[shrevecity]

Yep, they'll hold the money for a bit, but as long as you ship to the correct address, you won't lose a credit card chargeback case.

Yup all you have to prove is it was shipped, it does not even have to show delivered. That does not say that Paypal does not protect lose the case, but if the seller can prove they shipped then per the Paypal protection then the seller is covered.

[shrevecity]

How do you prove it wasn’t damaged?

I have never had to prove anything other than the item was shipped on a cc chargeback.

[gglenn3278]

My understanding is that if you offer the 30 day free returns, then your items will get better placement in the "best match" search results. I don't sell cards, but sell a wide range of random items. Some of them are quite expensive to ship, so I can't afford to eat the return shipping costs if they have buyers remorse.

I THINK, that on buyers remorse/does not fit returns, that the ORIGINAL shipping costs don't have to be refunded. I have been going through my listings and changing select ones to calculated shipping instead of free shipping, and offering free returns on those. I'm curious to see if sales pick up, and if returns increase. I currently have about a 2% return rate, which are mostly all buyer paid returns as of now.

For example, I had a jacket listed for $40 with free shipping. I changed the listing to $32 with $8 shipping. It sold today. If I understand how all this works, if the buyer returns the jacket because it does not fit, the refund amount should be $40 including the return shipping. If I had left it listed for $40 with free shipping, and it got returned, I would be out $48.

It remains to be seen if the free returns is a good idea or not. Although there are some dishonest buyers out there who will try to game the system, most buyers are honest people. If it increases my sales, then I will keep offering free returns. If it becomes a headache, then I can always go back to buyer paid returns.

[casey]

I might just be dense, it's quite possible, but if I as the buyer open a CC chargeback and say "hey, this arrived damaged, the seller won't refund" or "the seller sent a counterfeit card", I don't see how you proving that you shipped it would be much of a defense.

[hairysasquatch]

Well I grabbed my ankles one more time and changed to "free returns."

[shrevecity]

My understanding is that if you offer the 30 day free returns, then your items will get better placement in the "best match" search results. I don't sell cards, but sell a wide range of random items. Some of them are quite expensive to ship, so I can't afford to eat the return shipping costs if they have buyers remorse.

I THINK, that on buyers remorse/does not fit returns, that the ORIGINAL shipping costs don't have to be refunded. I have been going through my listings and changing select ones to calculated shipping instead of free shipping, and offering free returns on those. I'm curious to see if sales pick up, and if returns increase. I currently have about a 2% return rate, which are mostly all buyer paid returns as of now.

For example, I had a jacket listed for $40 with free shipping. I changed the listing to $32 with $8 shipping. It sold today. If I understand how all this works, if the buyer returns the jacket because it does not fit, the refund amount should be $40 including the return shipping. If I had left it listed for $40 with free shipping, and it got returned, I would be out $48.

It remains to be seen if the free returns is a good idea or not. Although there are some dishonest buyers out there who will try to game the system, most buyers are honest people. If it increases my sales, then I will keep offering free returns. If it becomes a headache, then I can always go back to buyer paid returns.

With free returns you the seller are paying for the return of the item as well as the original shipping costs even in cases of buyers remorse. Buyers are always entitled to the original shipping as part of the refund unless you state you have a restocking fee, however Ebay is restricting that even more. In your example you willbe out 48.00 if they return it.

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/faq/returns.html#m22_tb_a1__16

Do I have to pay for return shipping when I offer returns?

To attract more buyers, you should consider offering free return shipping on your items. However, eBay only requires sellers to pay for return shipping when the buyer requests a return and reason for one of the following reasons which are considered “not as described”:

It doesn’t work or is defective
It doesn’t match description or photos
The wrong item was sent
There are missing parts or accessories
It arrived damaged
The item doesn’t seem authentic

Reason for Return Responsibility for return shipping
Doesn’t fit (for example: clothing) Per Seller’s return policy
Changed mind Per Seller’s return policy
Found a better price Per Seller’s return policy
Just didn’t like it NEW Per Seller’s return policy
Ordered by mistake NEW Per Seller’s return policy
Doesn’t work or defective Seller
Doesn’t match description or photos* Seller
Wrong item sent* NEW Seller
Missing parts or accessories Seller
Arrived damaged* Seller
Doesn’t seem authentic* Seller
*Considered a not-as-described reason for return. In this case, sellers are required to pay for return shipping

As far as it affecting your listing rank and such I see no difference in placement. In fact my sales went up when I dropped it.

[Branesergen]

I might just be dense, it's quite possible, but if I as the buyer open a CC chargeback and say "hey, this arrived damaged, the seller won't refund" or "the seller sent a counterfeit card", I don't see how you proving that you shipped it would be much of a defense.

Quite frankly you should never get to that point. In which case then yes you'll lose, you'll lose any type of case in a damaged scenario. That is the law, not ebay, not PayPal, the US law. So yeah, if you let it get to that point youll lose every time. That's illegal. If you get a random chargeback (99.99% of the time it's as unauthorized purchase) then all you have to do is show you shipped.

[Branesergen]

As far as it affecting your listing rank and such I see no difference in placement. In fact my sales went up when I dropped it.

You did that prior to the June update tho didn't you? Anything since June is "supposed" to see an increase in placement - tho we all know how that really works. Early tests are leading to believe it is true. Although placement doesn't always lead to sale, it does help.

[gglenn3278]

With free returns you the seller are paying for the return of the item as well as the original shipping costs even in cases of buyers remorse. Buyers are always entitled to the original shipping as part of the refund unless you state you have a restocking fee, however Ebay is restricting that even more. In your example you willbe out 48.00 if they return it.

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/faq/returns.html#m22_tb_a1__16

Do I have to pay for return shipping when I offer returns?

To attract more buyers, you should consider offering free return shipping on your items. However, eBay only requires sellers to pay for return shipping when the buyer requests a return and reason for one of the following reasons which are considered “not as described”:

It doesn’t work or is defective
It doesn’t match description or photos
The wrong item was sent
There are missing parts or accessories
It arrived damaged
The item doesn’t seem authentic

Reason for Return Responsibility for return shipping
Doesn’t fit (for example: clothing) Per Seller’s return policy
Changed mind Per Seller’s return policy
Found a better price Per Seller’s return policy
Just didn’t like it NEW Per Seller’s return policy
Ordered by mistake NEW Per Seller’s return policy
Doesn’t work or defective Seller
Doesn’t match description or photos* Seller
Wrong item sent* NEW Seller
Missing parts or accessories Seller
Arrived damaged* Seller
Doesn’t seem authentic* Seller
*Considered a not-as-described reason for return. In this case, sellers are required to pay for return shipping

As far as it affecting your listing rank and such I see no difference in placement. In fact my sales went up when I dropped it.

You are obviously far more experienced than I am when it comes to ebay selling. I did read on one of the forums that sellers will not be required to refund the original shipping costs on "free returns" UNLESS the item was sold with free shipping. I guess I will have to wait until I get a return to find out for sure. Hopefully, I never will.:) I will say that the last return I processed (before free returns), there was a box to check to include the original shipping in the refund amount or not.

June has been a slow month for me, but the last couple of days have been better. Hopefully that is the start of a trend.

[cardsrus1]

As far as it affecting your listing rank and such I see no difference in placement. In fact my sales went up when I dropped it.

My sales hit a wall June 1st with the policy change. Once I changed to free returns my sales picked back up immediately after doing so.

[Chris Henderson]

I had to drop to 3 day handling due to my health and lost my Top rated seller status. I noticed little difference in sales. The only thing I've ever noticed that consistently affects my sales is how often I add new listings. The more consistently I add items the more consistent my sales are. Nothing else seems to really make a difference.

[shrevecity]

I had to drop to 3 day handling due to my health and lost my Top rated seller status. I noticed little difference in sales. The only thing I've ever noticed that consistently affects my sales is how often I add new listings. The more consistently I add items the more consistent my sales are. Nothing else seems to really make a difference.

That seems to be the bigger measure than anything. Keeping new inventory in your store will boost. Even if it is merely ending GTC listings and relisting them via sell similar item, do not use the relist item because the Ebay metrics have reportedly recognized that as the same item not a new item so it gets no boost.

[xbignick]

Just got my first 'free return' request. First time I've ever had an item returned to me through eBay either through the return system or item not as described so hope it goes well. Funny part is it was sent 8 hours ago so won't reach the buyer until some time next week.

[shrevecity]

Just got my first 'free return' request. First time I've ever had an item returned to me through eBay either through the return system or item not as described so hope it goes well. Funny part is it was sent 8 hours ago so won't reach the buyer until some time next week.

What is the reason for the return? I would call Ebay on this one and point out the item has not even arrived yet.

[xbignick]

What is the reason for the return? I would call Ebay on this one and point out the item has not even arrived yet.

Changed his mind. I have 30 day free returns so have to take it regardless I guess, just wondering how he's going to do it if package gets delayed. It says he has to ship back before the 17th.

[3AND4]

Can you put a stop on its delivery so you dont have to pay return postage?

[shrevecity]

Can you put a stop on its delivery so you dont have to pay return postage?

I think that costs 10.00 or something like that and its not guaranteed. I would actually be hoping that they just refuse the package and use that to hopefully win the case then refund them minus the shipping.

[xbignick]

Yeah would have cost me more.

So he shipped it back to me today but I don't see a charge anywhere (on my paypal or in my fees). Not sure where to look for it but maybe he just paid for the return himself which would be nice :)

[xbignick]

Just an update since my first return.

Because he used "changed my mind" eBay allows me to keep the original $2.66 he paid for shipping. I just decided to refund it, however, since with it being my 1st return I value not getting a negative or neutral more.

He never opened the package, just put a return label on it.

So my actual loss on it was $3.09 to send it and $3.09 for him to return it (eBay finally added it to my fees).

At least I got to see the process I suppose.

[xbignick]

Just an update since my first return.

Because he used "changed my mind" eBay allows me to keep the original $2.66 he paid for shipping. I just decided to refund it, however, since with it being my 1st return I value not getting a negative or neutral more.

He never opened the package, just put a return label on it.

So my actual loss on it was $3.09 to send it and $3.09 for him to return it (eBay finally added it to my fees).

At least I got to see the process I suppose.

He just left me a positive :flex:

[shrevecity]

Did Paypal keep the full fee or did they refund the 2.9% like they used to. I have not had a refund since the change so am curious if they stayed with that idea or not.

[xbignick]

Did Paypal keep the full fee or did they refund the 2.9% like they used to. I have not had a refund since the change so am curious if they stayed with that idea or not.

I was confused by that, thought they said May 7th they'd no longer refund fees but this was originally purchased on May 9th and fees were refunded.

Guess they either cancelled the idea or the actual policy won't be with sales and purchases through eBay, only straight through paypal.

https://i.imgur.com/EFi331g.png

[jjcan]

Returns are tough.

I sold a 10 card base rookie lot of Acuna and it was returned. With Buyer saying they dont look good. I hand picked them out of a bunch i had top loaded.

But I cannot do anything even if they are not the same cards returned, and they were replaced.

Better off selling cards as one off to control returns, is my lesson than selling card lots.