Annoying returners

red_boots2

Following on from the opportunistic buyer thread I thought I'd start one about annoying returners!

I sold a very expensive Robot Vacuum / Mop on eBay a week ago. My returns policy is 'returns accepted'.

After a couple of days I get really positive detailed feedback about how amazing the item is etc...

Then I get a message asking for a return as apparently is has stopped working. Buyer opens a return request as item defective and when it arrives back with me and I start checking everything is in the box he hasn't even attempted to open any of it and until I went through it, it was still in the original packaging unused.

Contacted eBay who basically said "well at least it's new"

If he'd have just said he changed his mind I would have been okay with it.

Relisting as 'opened never used' will knock about £250 off of the selling price 

MattMattMattUK

It is annoying, but ebay gives buyers complete freedom to lie and get returns and they do not care about dealing with it, one of the unfortunate risks of selling on ebay, which is why so many people have moved everything possible to Vinted.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

MattMattMattUK said:

, which is why so many people have moved everything possible to Vinted.

But only a fool would buy an electrical item for hundreds of pounds from Vinted if they only give you two days to report a problem! 

Guess you are a private seller OP? 

savergrant

What category of return did they open? If you didn't accept returns their 'opportunities' would be more limited, but as things stand I'm surprised ebay didn't simply say 'you accept returns'

soolin

MattMattMattUK said:

It is annoying, but ebay gives buyers complete freedom to lie and get returns and they do not care about dealing with it, one of the unfortunate risks of selling on ebay, which is why so many people have moved everything possible to Vinted.

I certainly wouldn’t be selling anything that expensive on Vinted, and I love Vinted . Too much mention of no compensation when items are lost, and just recently they’ve apparently started refunding buyers without wanting them to return when items arrived damaged due to alledged poor packaging, even when something is double boxed and properly packed. 

red_boots2

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

MattMattMattUK said:

, which is why so many people have moved everything possible to Vinted.

But only a fool would buy an electrical item for hundreds of pounds from Vinted if they only give you two days to report a problem! 

Guess you are a private seller OP? 

I am yes, but happy to accept returns due to previous issues.savergrant said:

What category of return did they open? If you didn't accept returns their 'opportunities' would be more limited, but as things stand I'm surprised ebay didn't simply say 'you accept returns'

Item is defective

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

red_boots2 said:

I am yes, but happy to accept returns due to previous issues.savergrant said:

I'm not sure if you'd have any recourse under against the buyer for the diminished value but if you did it's likely to be a headache to enforce.

Personally I'd turn off change of mind returns for expensive or technical items (I know hindsight is always 20/20 ) 

If a buyer abuses the MBG then you have a clearer argument to claim any loses from them.

I know they have technically done so here but the only difference between that and a change of mind is the return costs unless your listings state change of mind returns must be unopened I don't see any recourse for the £250 loss in value.

Even if you did eBay says for change of mind returns you can deduct from the refund for opened/damaged/etc due to "the loss in value is due to handling of the goods which was not necessary for checking the condition, properties, or mode of operation".
 
I know you say the buyer didn't do such as it was still neatly packaged inside but it's no longer clear cut they've done anything wrong unfortunately (other than being a royal pain in the bum ) 

Deru

I had a return like this albeit a much cheaper item which I resold after i got it back. New buyer left glowing feedback so it certainly was not faulty. First buyer attached a random pic of a scratch on their car in the return car, which I used as ammunition. I complained to eBay as the buyer abused the return system by not choosing the appropriate reason for return and not including a picture of the fault. Ebay refunded the return postage cost I was charged.  

If the buyer chose Changed Mind as the reason, they would be liable for the return postage costs.  Any other reason, seller foots the cost so this is open to abuse.

RFW

It is a hazard of online selling. Returning items has become much more acceptable as a practice when buying online. I've occasionally had some returns at the sellers' expense where they've paid more for the return than the item cost. Now a lot of buyers are more savvy to how they can return without having to pay too. 
I'm a business seller but have gone from 0-1% returns to around 5-6% in the last couple of years. I'm looking at increasing prices shortly because of it.

goodfella66

I've had a buyer buy a brand new record but there is a rip on the top edge of the cover. Fully mentioned in the listing. Buyer opens a return for "item damaged" even thought they acknowledged that it is mentioned in the listing and they missed it (or couldn't be bothered to read the listing). 

I have to pay return postage because of their incompetence and lies, so obviously I will be putting a report into Ebay once received back to get the postage refunded back.

Hoenir

I ended up marking my new items with an UV Pen.  As found that items were being purchased and returned as damaged upon opening. Given the fragile nature of the items. Very easy to damage when handling. The items I dispatched weren't the one's returned.