New eBay Survey - Buying on eBay

[gec2002]

Just got the latest eBay Your Say - Buying on eBay   After the usual preamble and a question on rating shipping and returns service provided by eBay Sellers the rest of the survey was on eBay considering offering Free Returns. 

Nothing new in that, but how about If you just change your mind you can return the item for free by just dropping it off at your local chemist, bottle shop, post office, supermarket or service station.  Then there was the usual "have you stopped beating your wife type questions" ie which would be most appealing, a list of 5 different sites, but no none answer.  Can see it now we asking about free returns at a location near you and you told us that you all want to leave them at ???. 

The idea of a paid return service from your home or work was then surveyed.  Now i wonder who would be paying for that, eBay, Buyers or perhaps the Sellers. 

Lets hope this doesn't get off the ground.

[the4masters2013]

I have the survey but I think I might be brave enough to do it in the morning!

Thanks for the warning about the usual questions.

I've bought one item in the last 3 years... not sure how relevant the survey will be.

Tomorrow.....!!

[6508.froggy]

Yes - Just completed the survey and it is all about the buyer having options to return at there will.

Reading between the lines they would be encouraging sellers to offer a free return service.  This would deplete the little profit margin for most of us.  I agree I hope it does not get off the ground. 

[digital*ghost]

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@gec2002 wrote:

Lets hope this doesn't get off the ground.

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From recent posts on the boards, I think eBay has actually run a few trials on this, as it's been mentioned they offered it to selected members (no idea how selective that was, or whether their rate of returns in the past played a factor - if eBay were smart, they would have picked a range of people based on that factor, particularly those who returned very little to nothing over the years to see if rate of return increased or changed if free returns were available).

I have mixed feelings about this to be honest. Some online shopping safety nets are necessary, others are not, and the more safety nets that are around to 'save' people not from being ripped off, but just from poor decision making, the less comfortable I am as a seller; sure, I accept change of mind returns, but I feel that the responsibility for change of mind rests with buyers. Also, I am not a free costume hire shop. 

On the other hand, I've also had people make up BS about damage in order to get out of paying return postage costs, leaving me to foot the postage bill both ways  So at least this would likely curb that kind of behaviour - either way, it seems, I'm paying for other people to take advantage and change their mind (since I assume these costs - even if 'covered' by eBay - will be reaped from sellers one way or another; maybe that's what the latest fee rises were for).

[lyndal1838]

But it is already a free return service if the buyer is smart enough to find something wrong with their item.  How many buyers admit to changing their minds when the seller has to pay for the return if they "say" it is not as described.

All they want to do is make it easier for buyers....they don't have to be inventive with the reason for return.

[gec2002]

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@lyndal1838 wrote:

But it is already a free return service if the buyer is smart enough to find something wrong with their item.  How many buyers admit to changing their minds when the seller has to pay for the return if they "say" it is not as described.

All they want to do is make it easier for buyers....they don't have to be inventive with the reason for return.

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Actually I find that there are a number of buyers who admit to changing their mind and will pay return postage.  However as I only sell small items with letter rate postage that is probably understandable.  I think the majority of buyers are honest and do not want to tell lies to the seller, and sure they would like free returns.  It's a bit like asking staff would they like a pay rise or sellers would they like a fee reduction, of coarse nearly 100% would say yes, that doesn't mean it's a good idea or makes financial sense.

Unfortunately eBay have very little skin in the game when it comes to returns, and if it means sellers have to increase their prices to cover the cost of more returns, that's a win for eBay.  If this goes ahead you can bet eBay will promote it to the max, it will be in buyers faces on every page and in every email.  The big boys can probably absorb it but the small sellers hit with 2 x postage are going to feel the pain.

[springyzone]

I think it is a bit over the top if they did offer no holds barred free returns for simple change of mind.

Not even all real shops provide returns. In fact a lot will only allow exchange for change of mind and you have to take the item to them.

The bottom line is postage isn't free. It isn't even particularly cheap, especially if you want it tracked.

I buy quite a lot online. Probably hundreds of dollars worth a year. Not on ebay, mainly on sites such as Catch of the Day.

As far as I am aware, returns are only possible for items that arrive damaged. I have had it happen a couple of times with glassware and an air fryer. The latter had to be boxed up and returned to a chemist shop in another suburb, with the return label fixed to it.

Before a return of funds was approved I had to provide photos or a description of the problem. It wasn't a free for all, return things on a whim. It was free return postage only because the goods were not working.

If it becomes the norm for buyers to be lulled into the mindset where they think they can return any ebay item, any time, at the seller's expense, then i predict the small occasional sellers will have to leave in droves.