As a seller on ebay, should I just accept returns on all my listings?

t1redmonkey

I guess my question is twofold; one part around the pros/cons of accepting returns, and one part around whether being a 'Top rated seller' on ebay is worth it.  But some context:

Been on ebay for a long time, nearly 25 years.  I'm just a private seller though, but I am using it a lot at the moment as I'm disposing of a large collection which I've lost interest in so I'll likely be using it a lot for another year or so.

I never have officially accepted returns on my listings, but I'm wondering if I should, since my understanding is I would qualify for the 'Top rated seller' status if I did since I believe I fulfill all the other criteria. 

I'm also of the understanding that there are some situations where you kind of get forced into accepting returns anyway, regardless of if you say you accept them on your listings.  Thankfully, I've not had too many issues with the items I've sold, other than 1 occasion where customs opened and damaged my item (ebay took the hit on this one to be fair to them and covered me and the buyer), and 1 where a buyer hadn't looked at the photos or read my description properly (I just gave them a partial refund in this case to avoid the hassle of him returning it, maybe I was too nice, not sure!).

Just curious for any input, thanks!

soolin

If it’s just to be a TRS then don’t bother as you’d also need to offer a free postage option, and a fast tracked one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sellercentre/protection/seller-standards

I do allow returns even on my personal accounts purely because anecdotally it stops people having to do an SNAD if they change their mind. 

t1redmonkey

soolin said:

If it’s just to be a TRS then don’t bother as you’d also need to offer a free postage option, and a fast tracked one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sellercentre/protection/seller-standards

I do allow returns even on my personal accounts purely because anecdotally it stops people having to do an SNAD if they change their mind. 

Thanks, I do actually offer free Tracked 48 postage as default on all my listings though so that wouldn't be something I have to change (I don't have an express option though, unless over £150 then I have free Special Delivery in place, so I'd have to add that I guess to the items below £150).

With the second part of what you said, do you mean if I don't accept returns then they are forced into saying the item is not as described to force a return?

t1redmonkey

Actually, I've just realised there's also a requirement to have a business account to be a Top Rated Seller so I wouldn't be eligible regardless.

RFW

I've never seen a downside of accepting returns. I have it switched on for everything. Then again I almost never get any returns. Ebay can force a return even if you don't offer them.

There is said to be a benefit in search for items offering returns. It seems to be highly valued by all the marketplaces.

GadgetGuru

I generally do not accept returns as I'm not a 'try before you buy' service, but if someone wants to return something they will regardless TBH. I find they'll just state the item is not as described or is faulty, then you are stung with the return postage cost as well. 
You can report a buyer for misusing the returns system in this way, but we all know eBay favours the buyer so they need several reports against them before eBay take any action anyways. 

soolin

GadgetGuru said:

I generally do not accept returns as I'm not a 'try before you buy' service, but if someone wants to return something they will regardless TBH. I find they'll just state the item is not as described or is faulty, then you are stung with the return postage cost as well. 
You can report a buyer for misusing the returns system in this way, but we all know eBay favours the buyer so they need several reports against them before eBay take any action anyways. 

That's the exact reason I accept returns. If a buyer gets buyer remorse or whatever and wants a return and sellers accepts them then they often change their mind once they see the cost to them of returning. I get very few returns, a negligible amount really and more than half of the change of mind returns are never posted back to me so I never have to refund - my items tend to be low cost so once they see the return label on their £6 items is going to cost them over £3 they soon change their mind.

Anecdotally if a change of mind return is not available then buyers get silly and cross and just find a reason why it is an SNAD and return it at sellers cost. 

t1redmonkey

soolin said:

GadgetGuru said:

I generally do not accept returns as I'm not a 'try before you buy' service, but if someone wants to return something they will regardless TBH. I find they'll just state the item is not as described or is faulty, then you are stung with the return postage cost as well. 
You can report a buyer for misusing the returns system in this way, but we all know eBay favours the buyer so they need several reports against them before eBay take any action anyways. 

That's the exact reason I accept returns. If a buyer gets buyer remorse or whatever and wants a return and sellers accepts them then they often change their mind once they see the cost to them of returning. I get very few returns, a negligible amount really and more than half of the change of mind returns are never posted back to me so I never have to refund - my items tend to be low cost so once they see the return label on their £6 items is going to cost them over £3 they soon change their mind.

Anecdotally if a change of mind return is not available then buyers get silly and cross and just find a reason why it is an SNAD and return it at sellers cost. 

Do you put any sort of 'disclaimer' on your item descriptions around returns as well, to try and discourage them from returning?  Or just not make any reference to it?

soolin

t1redmonkey said:

soolin said:

GadgetGuru said:

I generally do not accept returns as I'm not a 'try before you buy' service, but if someone wants to return something they will regardless TBH. I find they'll just state the item is not as described or is faulty, then you are stung with the return postage cost as well. 
You can report a buyer for misusing the returns system in this way, but we all know eBay favours the buyer so they need several reports against them before eBay take any action anyways. 

That's the exact reason I accept returns. If a buyer gets buyer remorse or whatever and wants a return and sellers accepts them then they often change their mind once they see the cost to them of returning. I get very few returns, a negligible amount really and more than half of the change of mind returns are never posted back to me so I never have to refund - my items tend to be low cost so once they see the return label on their £6 items is going to cost them over £3 they soon change their mind.

Anecdotally if a change of mind return is not available then buyers get silly and cross and just find a reason why it is an SNAD and return it at sellers cost. 

Do you put any sort of 'disclaimer' on your item descriptions around returns as well, to try and discourage them from returning?  Or just not make any reference to it?

No disclaimer. I just used the returns policy box thing on ebay and opted for the return notification within 14 days , buyer to pay. I can't see what disclaimer I would really need that could be enforced anyway.

My private accounts have exactly the same policy as my business accounts.

RFW

t1redmonkey said:

Do you put any sort of 'disclaimer' on your item descriptions around returns as well, to try and discourage them from returning?  Or just not make any reference to it?

Disclaimers are, often, legally useless and no one reads them. If anyone does read them they tend to put them off. I know they do for me.

GadgetGuru

If I sell a new sealed item, and the buyer opens and uses it then wants to return as a change of mind, would I be able to deduct a certain % due to the loss in value (and state this on the eBay listing beforehand)?