Good advice from TT, but I probably don't go to that much effort. Photographing every inch of clothing doesn't really help because
- it's impossible to prove a negative anyway - this is a scientific truism that applies to many facets of life (ie it could be argued that you photographed every inch but somehow happened to miss THAT spot - how do you prove it?). Like the mythic Flying Spaghetti Monster, lol.
- it would take so much time it's honestly not worth my while selling at all
- returns are so rare I'd much prefer to swallow the costs of returned items, rather than take all those photos
- buyers can force the issue anyway with the MBG system no matter what.
I sometimes make an exception for really high priced items and will take extra photos. I also have a look at the buyer's feedback to see if any extra precautions might be required.
In reality, I find that people just want the item they paid for and cause no trouble. Even I'm happy to overlook minor flaws, and I'm stricter than most because I also consider if I need to resell the item. On the whole I reckon about 90% of what I buy is exactly as it should be. But I hate when flaws are so obvious that you know the seller is just trying it on. So don't send anything you're not sure about.
My best advice would be to include measurements. No question (sorry Lane, I know well you're opinion here! ๐ ). For a buyer to open a NAD because your measurements are wrong is very rare in my experience, and unless they can prove it, it can be fought as a change of mind return. That's a few hurdles for a buyer to jump through to provide photos with a tape measure etc and not many will actually do it, and in reality the item probably doesn't fit because the buyer didn't check the measurements in the first place. Secondly, if you get a neg because the item didn't fit, and you have measurements in your listing, this is grounds for removal. I have had this done 3 times now. Well worth the effort of providing measurements.
Lastly, on the whole I don't fight returns, but I've only had a couple. If the item isn't worth the return postage, then just refund. Look at it as a cold business decision. However if it's worth getting it back, accept the return or you risk losing the item and the funds, as ebay will promptly refund the buyer if they get a chance to escalate. Accepting the returm will protect you. Make it as easy and flawless as possible, apologise, privide a return label etc. I suspect strongly that trying to fight the return will encourage the buyer to really damage the item. The quicker it's out of their hands and finished, the better it feels, and really in the scheme of things returm postage is never going to break the bank. There are exceptions, and this is my opinion only because I know that other members are more wary of being scammed by buyers..... BUT for ME, if I get the item back in the condition I sent it, I've got a chance to recoup my funds - and if it was truly faulty and worthy of being binned then I deserved to pay the costs anyway (hasn't happened though, cross-fingers).
That said I haven't had to fight a case where a perfect item was returned in an appalling state... I've read many cases on these boards. I agree there is that risk but I'm hoping it is so rare it won't bankrupt me. There are some legal avenues to try if it does happen. This is stuff I can't control so I don't worry about it.
I'm really looking forward to the new dashboard, that will be a big relief. I think clothing sellers particularly got a raw deal with this, compared to those who sell stuff brand new out of the box, etc.
**EDIT - sorry for the essay
