What do sellers think about offering returns?

[Not free returns.  And obviously not talking about ‘not as described’.]

 

I feel under some pressure by Ebay to offer this service, and due to my sales falling away vastly over the last couple of months (everyone seems to be saying that), am considering.

 

I guess no-one is going to pay to return an item unless they really don’t like it, because clearly they’ll end up out of pocket.  But I suppose there is a tipping pointing in terms of value of the item & the cost of the postage.

 

What have others experienced in terms of increased sales, if any?  Or were expenses the only increase?

 

Are there some classes of items with which it is better to include this offer, than others?  Or more high risk?

 

Thanks for talking to me.

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Re: What do sellers think about offering returns?

Thanks Ye old coin.  I suppose one of the other benefits of offering returns is that it staves off disputes (which according to these pages always allow for the Buyer to win), and hence having to pay for the return.  

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Re: What do sellers think about offering returns?

If you do get anyone wanting to return but they don't want to pay the postage, suggest they sign up for paypal's free returns (where paypal pay the return postage).

If you do good pictures you'll have less people wanting to return because they'll know exactly what they're getting when they buy. Some things aren't easy to photograph, no matter what you do, but the main thing is that they know what they're getting. Poor pictures can actually be an advantage in some situations because the item will look better in real life and the buyer won't want to return it.
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Re: What do sellers think about offering returns?

When it comes to returns, I also believe the system could be at much higher risk of being abused for some items than others.

Clothing in excellent or new condition could be a huge one, with some buyers thinking they could buy an expensive frock for a one off wear, then just return it.

But at the same time, the categories that are high risk for sellers are also, I think, probably the riskiest to buy from online-clothes & shoes. Having the option to return if the fit isn't right might swing the sale for a lot of buyers.

The thing that often stops a buyer making a change of mind return though is the cost. If they were to buy a relatively cheap item, the return postage can cost almost as much as the original item.

That's why I think, even if a seller allows returns, there might be some buyers who know the system and will still elect to angle for a 'not as described' return on some spurious grounds so they save on postage.

 

With items such as collectables, special coins etc I don't imagine there would be much call for returns because they are usually things the buyer would want to keep, not things for short term use.

 

Do most sellers here see ebay allowing the current situation to continue? At the moment, it seems to me ebay is stuck in a hard place, trying to decide whose claims are true or false etc and often in the process being unfair to sellers. It is probably also costing ebay some money where they occasionally repay sellers after a protest. It is also the only system I have come across in real life or online, where any buyer could even begin to try to scam sellers, because usually items are examined carefully before there is a cent refunded. Do any of you see ebay changing some time in the future to eg a more Amazon type model?

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Re: What do sellers think about offering returns?

Thanks Brer Rabbit.

 

Is there any evidence that Sellers offering returns get better visibility on ebay?  

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Re: What do sellers think about offering returns?

I don't know because I don't offer them. Ebay "say" it's one of the things that'll help you get a higher ranking but I don't necessarily believe it.
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