paying for other people's mistakes

[jenniferh2111]

I do a lot of online shopping and am now moving away from ebay due to problems with the return policy. Ebay is the only place where I have to pay postage for returned goods that are faulty or incorrectly described.

Example 1. I purchased a child’s watch which literally fell apart when I opened the package. It only cost $12 but to get my money back I had to pay postage both ways which would have been $10 – plus all the effort of posting etc.

Example 2. I purchased a top which was not as described. My real complaint was that I wrote to the seller and asked a very specific question which she answered incorrectly – so now I have to deal with the problem and be out of pocket $20 to get my money back.

When an item is faulty or the seller has mis-represented, the buyer should not have to pay anything at all. With other online retailers, all monies are refunded with a free post service used for returns.

[harley_babes_hoard]

I figure you returning your item would be the same as having to drive to a B&M store to return an item. You pay for wear and tear on your car and you also pay for fuel and parking. Really no different here.

Most good sellers will work with you to resolve most issues. Whether that be paying full return postage or part of or even a small refund for your inconvenience.

[lemmayj]

You should only be out one lot of postage via the paypal return system, as the seller has to refund the original postage.

I understand your pain but much of it can be avoided by careful inspection of a seller's feedback. Many sellers (myself included) pay postage both ways if their description is at fault, and their feedback reflects this.

Paypal has no way to differentiate between a buyer who says an item is not as described because of change of mind, and a seller who's misdescribed something, so they take the mid point, both buyer and seller pay one lot of postage. (There are as many "bad" buyers on ebay as "bad" sellers, unfortunately, some people manage to be both!)

Small sellers on ebay often don't have the margins to pay for free returns,  (there's a reason why ebay is often cheaper than the bigger chains) and some of them don't worry about repeat buyers either.  Personally, if I had to pay return postage on an item where the seller was at fault I'd let my feedback reflect this, and then other buyers would know to be more careful.

[trulyspecialgoodies]

I purchased a watch which had been poorly packed and was received in 4 pieces. I took photos of it and sent them to the seller - you now have the ability to attach photos to eBay messages. I received a full refund without having to return the broken item (which I threw away anyway).  I'm sure that the majority of sellers wouldn't expect (or want) you to return a broken item.

[iamanark]

"I figure you returning your item would be the same as having to drive to a B&M store to return an item"

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That old furphy ... when you go to a B&M store you make an informed purchase after being physically able to examine the item, see the "quality", the colour etc ... so if a mistake is made THEN it is your own mistake and your own responsibility

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But online you have to trust the seller, and if they misrepresent, then they should be 100% responsible (as the OP stated)

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The buyer should not be out of pocket

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Please compare apples to apples !

[ratman0100]

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@harley_babes_hoard wrote:

I figure you returning your item would be the same as having to drive to a B&M store to return an item. You pay for wear and tear on your car and you also pay for fuel and parking. Really no different here.

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Are you serious? There is a huge difference

[belindabargainhunter]

In store u look at what u are about to buy and it's the buyers job to make sure everything is right.
Target, scoop on, cudo, catch of the day, robbos pet barn, grocery run are all places I use who will resend the item without having to return or if you do they pay return post

[thecatspjs]

IMO there are some inherent risks with purchasing on-line, and whilst there are ways to reduce the risk, you can entirely remove it.

This includes making considered choice of trader and very careful selection of goods including careful review of photos of the actual item, reading all of the description details, asking seller questions, reviewing a sellers refund policy and their feedback received from other buyers..  

IMO by adopting a highly discerning approach to internet purchasing and making your purchases very carefully you are far less likely to experience the same type of problems, or level of dissatisfaction, as those who due not take responsibility for their own spending. 

[thecatspjs]

^^^^^^ post above ... first line at end .... should be:  "...and whilst there are ways to reduce the risk, you can not entirely remove it..."

[phorum_junkie*]

there are plenty of sellers who state in their return policy that tey will not make you pay for the return of faulty or wrongly described goods, buy from them and you will probably find that you rarely have to complain. when you operate a polocy like that you are extra careful that your descriptions are correct and your packaging up to the task.