topic Re: Returns policy in Selling

Returns policy

5kazam — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 23:05:28 GMT

I've just received an email stating I need to update my returns policy, or items will not be auto relisted

Currently 7 days, (as I always thought the buyer will know within 7 days whether it's broken or not as described), but now need to increase to 30 days. Peeves me a bit as I only sell pottery, so now if someone breaks something within 30 days they can get a refund. Though I guess I could argue that it can't be returned in the condition it was sent.

Anyway I would have thought I could do this from Site Preferences, but I can't see where there is the option to change the return time. And I really don't want to have to change each and every item one at a time.

So it would be appreciated if some members could steer me in the right direction.

Re: Returns policy

countessalmirena — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 23:46:35 GMT

Hi, 5kazam,

I'm replying from my phone...

If you only have Returns selected in case item is broken or not as described, you should probably select No Returns.

The returns option on eBay is only for change of mind. Buyers will always have the right to return if item is damaged, broken, or not as described.

(Someone else will probably post how to change returns - If not, I'll reply later when in front of the computer.)

Re: Returns policy

5kazam — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 23:58:00 GMT

Thanks for that. If I've read the changes correctly, I think I have to update to 30 days.

"Hi 5kazam,

Some of your listings need to be updated in order to comply with eBay policies or security changes.

What do you need to do?
We've identified the listings that need to be changed to meet our updated standards.

96 of your listings have an unsupported return policy. Listings with unsupported return policies won't be automatically relisted. Learn more about our new return policy guidance."

And I'm not sure what is meant by 'unsupported return policy'.

Re: Returns policy

djavusydney — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 00:19:35 GMT

If you have eBay business policies you can update your return for ALL listings in few clicks.

If item is not functioning as should under ACL, your obligations as seller doesn't just stop at 30 days. There is 'reasonable' period of time you need to provide as warranty. However if you are private seller you are not bound by this law And yes those 30 day is for change of mind, if you don't want it you can choose the no return policy.

Re: Returns policy

*tippy*toes* — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 00:34:22 GMT

Go to your My eBay All Selling page. Click the box at the bottom of all your listings so all listings are ticked, then click edit. Wait for them to load on the next screen (could take a minute or 2), then click the box at the top of them all so they all tick. Next click the edit fields box and then select return policy. Change it to 30 days (or to no returns). Click save and close, then click submit changes, then confirm and submit. Done and done.

Re: Returns policy

5kazam — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 00:37:51 GMT

Thanks for the answer. Much appreciated.

Re: Returns policy

5kazam — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 00:42:12 GMT

Just thought I'd let you all know the 'No Returns' is not there any more. And eBay had already automatically changed it to 30 days.

Re: Returns policy

digital*ghost — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 01:12:02 GMT

You can switch to no returns by unticking the returns accepted box (I got the same email last night).

Re: Returns policy

ozstockman — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 04:17:45 GMT

I have received this email too. It seems based on what eBay is asking I have to stop accepting returs at all. I sell wedding and event signs and I have 3 days return only to avoid using my signs for an event and returning them. Extenting return to 60/90 days will tell my customers it is ok to rent for free this way and return them when they do not need it.

Re: Returns policy

digital*ghost — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 04:28:51 GMT

I have concerns about extending my return window to 30 days (I had it at 7, and would have been more amenable to extending it to 14 days). I will continue accepting returns for now, as they happen quite rarely and I like to offer the option for buyers because it can be easy to pick the wrong item / size, or find something won't work for what they had in mind, but I'll rethink it if it increases returns past 7-14 days to an unacceptable level.

The other concern for me is that switching to no returns will encourage a few people to use an INAD reason when they don't want something, which increases my costs etc, so I'm hesitant to do that but I can't really know how it will play out without trying each option for several months, unfortunately.

If worse comes to worse, I'll probably switch to no returns, but have a disclaimer (in listings, for whatever that would be worth) that exceptions may be made, on a case by case basis.

Re: Returns policy

5kazam — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 04:30:07 GMT

Couldn't agree with you more. And definitely a no returns for you. Ludicrous new policy.

As I said above, I only ever offered 7 day returns/refunds, because if Aust Post/Courier broke it on the way (which has only happened twice), or if the buyer believed it wasn't as described, then I considered that fair enough. Fingers crossed, I've never had a return request.

(Now I've got to figure out how to do no returns, 'cos that option wasn't there when I bulk edited before)

Re: Returns policy

gumleaf_goodies — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 04:40:35 GMT

So choose No Returns. You will only have to return if the item is NAD.

Re: Returns policy

*tippy*toes* — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 15:20:36 GMT

If you do the bulk edit I described, unticking the box after clicking the returns option, should make your listing no returns.

I have always offered returns, but think I might change it to no returns, but still not sure. My items are of the type where they will know upon opening if it doesn't meet their expectations. I don't want people holding them for a month then changing their mind. Although they might decide them they do like it! That said, I think I've only had one change of mind return in all my selling years.

Of course if an item is NAD or arrives broken, the a returns policy means nothing.

Re: Returns policy

elegant--u — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 23:15:40 GMT

So if you do "No Returns" you will no longer qualify for "ebayplus" do you think this will affect sales ??? just wondering.

Re: Returns policy

5kazam — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 23:52:40 GMT

I've never bothered to find out about eBay plus. I'm only a small seller, and most of eBay's 'innovations' I don't concern myself about.

But from the posts above, it appears there may be quite a few sellers who will now opt for the 'no returns' - until eBay brings in something else to make everyone have at least 30 day returns!!

Oh, and Tippy, I did untick that box, so all is well.

Re: Returns policy

aussie-picker — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 04:20:07 GMT

Thanks Tippy ,

My notifications have been piling up . As I sell only S/H stuff I thought 7 days was a fair and reasonable return policy.

Anyway been doing it long enough now , since 2002 so I've seen the goal posts change many , many times lol.

Its only always been secondary business for me , so nothing really riding on it at the end of the day.

Ive decided to go 30 day instead of No Returns and see what happens as to see if it makes any difference at all .

Like you said Ive never had people wanting to return stuff for whatever reason .

Its either what they wanted or isn't straight away .

Cheers Rick

Re: Returns policy

aussie-picker — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 04:29:34 GMT

Why would you want to get involved with Ebay Puss ?

Would work well for some with the Free Post as long as you had Mega Margins on cost to cover it 🙂

Its got knobs on it , whilst it may push you higher up the search result rankings its just eating up your bottom line profit .

Been there done that , thats why now I only sell S/H stuff 🙂

Re: Returns policy

cezm — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 06:15:54 GMT

I used Ebay plus for the month's trial and purchased over $1000 of products from sellers that had Ebay plus and saved over $200 on postage/freight kindly paid by Ebay.

I certainly didn't join just so that I would be able to return items. I think those that want to shop with the intent of returning after use would just open an INAD rather than outlay for Ebay plus

Re: Returns policy

aussie-picker — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 07:05:35 GMT

But you are using it as a buyer not a seller 😉

Re: Returns policy

aussie-picker — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 07:08:24 GMT

$1000 of products from sellers that had Ebay plus and saved over $200 on postage/freight kindly paid by Ebay.

Ebay didnt pay for it , the seller did in the end 😞