CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME EBAY'S POLICY ON WHO PAYS FOR REPOSTING AN ITEM AFER AN EXCHANGE?

[leatherland1]

I can't find an answer to this subject on ebay.

After sending an item as "Free Postage"

and then the buyer asks for an "exchange", (wants a different color)

 and the buyer then pays for the return postage to the seller,

who pays for the exchanged items' postage, back to the buyer? (the second postage).

Does anybody know what ebay's policy is, on reposting items, after exchanging?

Regards, John.

[leatherland1]

I can't find an answer to this subject on ebay.

After sending an item as "Free Postage"

and then the buyer asks for an "exchange", (wants a different color)

 and the buyer then pays for the return postage to the seller,

who pays for the exchanged items' postage, back to the buyer? (the second postage).

Does anybody know what ebay's policy is, on reposting items, after exchanging?

Regards, John.

[digital*ghost]

eBay doesn't have a specific policy regarding the postage costs involved in exchanges, as that really is up to each individual seller. The most they say on the subject is to recommend offering to pay the postage for a return (the cost for the buyer to send it back to the seller, that is, and they suggest it more as a marketing stategy rather than it's the "right thing to do").

A common model is that for change of mind returns/exchanges, the buyer is responsible for all postage costs. If the item is being returned due to a fault or incorrect description etc, the seller is responsible for all postage costs. 

[phorum_junkie*]

If it is for change of mind then you can hardly expect the seller to pay for the replacement's delivery, if it is because the item was not as described then of course the seller must pay to send the replacement. If you went down the route of a Paypal dispute then the seller would have to send, with tracking, or refund the full payment if Paypal found in your favour.

[leatherland1]

Hi Digital Ghost,

                 thanks for the advice.

I have had a few exchanges lately, for choosing the wrong color etc. and all but 2 buyers have paid the reposting costs.

The last one demanded free postage for the reposting back to him, and then got upset when it didn't happen, and then wanted a full refund.  All resolved now, but wasn't a pleasant transaction.

Thanks again,

    regards, John.

[digital*ghost]

Sorry, for some reason the 'free post' bit didn't register, but I can understand why that can cause some issues for buyers. (Not that I would personally have an issue or demand free post on an exchange, just that I know it can create problems because once something is offered as free, it's often expected to remain genuinely free).\

I would recommend having a restocking fee equivalent to the postage costs for exchanges etc - the different name = a different impression. 😉

[harley_babes_hoard]

Nope change of mind, buyer pays.

[phorum_junkie*]

I would recommend having a restocking fee equivalent to the postage costs for exchanges etc - the different name = a different impression.

Excellent idea DG

[amber-eyed-girl]

I avoid sellers with restocking fees as I see this as a way to reneg on responsibility for faults or major errors.

It might say "for exchanges or returns" but has meant any type of return in my experience. Not that I have returned many items ( one in fact), but I have tried to return items received in appalling condition, to be told I would have to pay the restocking fee regardless. It was a discouragement for the return as I was also to pay the shipping.

So as it is next to impossible to read into statements every situation...I just avoid the possibility up front now.

I welcome a clearly defined position on shipping charge responsibility for faults, change of mind, exchanges etc. being provided in the listing.

[kustomizer99]

Any seller worth his salt will pay for the return postage on a damaged/faulty item. The buyer should not be out of pocket one cent due to a seller's negligence/incompetence.

[hello_gorgeous_designs]

As a seller I have repaid return postage costs for the 1 or 2 items returned to me over the years due to an unseen fault at the time of listing. I definitely believe buyers should not be out of pocket. However, as a buyer, I have yet to have one seller reimburse me for my return postage costs. Like other posters, I now consciously avoid those listings which do not clearly state that sellers will pay for return costs if the fault is theirs. With eBay not providing a clear policy, it's a consious vote as what sellers do. That is probably where the system falls down!