I agree, it's a very bad idea.
Not to mention buyers not reading the T&C's then expecting sellers that don't even offer returns to honour the promo.
@springyzone wrote:
Oh and for those sellers not sure about restocking fees, catch of the day charges a 20% restocking fee (on item cost only not on item/postage combined cost). I suspect sellers on ebay who had it at 20% might cop a blast in their feedback. But 20% is the reality elsewhere.
This is what eBay thinks of restocking fees:
"Don't charge a restocking fee. If you do charge a restocking fee, be sure to select a reasonable amount and limit it to instances where the buyer isn't returning the item in original condition."
It really makes me laugh. And cry a little, actually.
If the item isn't in the original condition, IMO the buyer shouldn't be eligible to return the item for a refund (full or partial - this is my biggest problem with eBay's auto-acceptance of COM returns, I should be able to check the buyer's eligibility for a return 
).
The max. restocking fee you can set is 20%. Too bad if the buyer sends back something that's 100% worthless due to use, or misuse. *
I know this can be relegated to "cost of doing business", but it's only become a cost of doing business on eBay specifically.
@digital*ghost wrote:
@springyzone wrote:
Oh and for those sellers not sure about restocking fees, catch of the day charges a 20% restocking fee (on item cost only not on item/postage combined cost). I suspect sellers on ebay who had it at 20% might cop a blast in their feedback. But 20% is the reality elsewhere.
This is what eBay thinks of restocking fees:
"Don't charge a restocking fee. If you do charge a restocking fee, be sure to select a reasonable amount and limit it to instances where the buyer isn't returning the item in original condition."
It really makes me laugh. And cry a little, actually.
If the item isn't in the original condition, IMO the buyer shouldn't be eligible to return the item for a refund (full or partial - this is my biggest problem with eBay's auto-acceptance of COM returns, I should be able to check the buyer's eligibility for a return
The max. restocking fee you can set is 20%. Too bad if the buyer sends back something that's 100% worthless due to use, or misuse. *
I know this can be relegated to "cost of doing business", but it's only become a cost of doing business on eBay specifically.
I had occasion recently to ask COTD about a return because sandals were too small.
They were quite good about accepting it. Return was free for me. HOWEVER, I was left in no doubt that the item had to be returned in the exact condition it had been sent. That included tags etc. With 20% restocking fee. The instructions were clear.
There was a warning that if the item received was not in perfect condition, they reserved the right to refuse a refund and it would then only be returned if i paid for return postage.
So... I think ebay is doing sellers a disservice by trying to encourage them not to charge a restocking fee. I don't know of any shop (real or online) that accepts returns on items that are not in good condition or that have been broken or damaged by the buyer. I don't see why ebay thinks its sellers should give any refund at all in those circumstances, let alone consider the restocking fee as enough compensation.
I suppose the trouble is... COTD & others are in charge of the whole process, they send the goods, they decide what is and is not acceptable condition when it arrives back, whereas ebay is trying to mediate between 2 parties that might have conflicting stories.
It's a problem. But if ebay pushes things too far in the future, they'll find sellers have to raise prices a lot to cover all the free returns.
