What do sellers think about offering returns?

[jane-de-cluttering]

[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.

[brerrabbit585]

But you can't see the details of the pattern on the vase in that picture. Showing the actual item clearly is far more important than having pretty 'fluff' in the picture.

Then you run into the problem of people expecting to receive everything in the picture.

[wide-world-of-stamps]

I agree with brerrabbit on this one.

While good clear pictures are important, and background decoration/colour can sometimes appeal, the example doesn't show the item clearly as the decoration blends in with the vase.

Although, if it's just the "cover" image, and others show the vase clearly, then there should be no problem.

[lyndal1838]

I have to agree with brerrabbit on this one too.

While it is a pleasing picture overall, the photo is taken at the wrong angle and the flowers on the neck of the vase are not seen clearly.

The camera needs to be lower so the neck of the vase is not shaded.

[jellybirddesigns]

In regards to the photo I put up of the vase, it is one of 10 pictures in the series, so the rest do show the item from different angles, positions etc.

The OP mentioned that sales had fallen away and that she was wondering about offering returns and if they were worth the risk to her business to help increase sales. After selling online for 16 years, I can tell you that one thing that that makes a huge difference is the type and quality of photos you present to your potential buyers and I personally feel that if she was to improve her images, she would probably improve her sales without necessarily having to worry about accepting returns. 

[springyzone]

Just a general reply here, not to anyone in particular.

I'm a buyer. If I were to think of paying $600 for a collectable, I'd be expecting numerous photos, not just one.

I do think the seller would have to try to make it as attractive as possible.

I've been constantly shocked lately, looking at some bigger items where people had clothes or rubbish strewn around the floor near it. or shelves they didn't dust before photographing.

So presentation to me is important. But item details are more so. I'd be expecting about 6-8 photos of an expensive vase, photos that are clear & sharp & show it from all different angles. 

[*tippy*toes*]

I do offer returns. The reason being, my items are fragile and I wouldn't want a buyer to smash it to force a refund. I'd prefer they return it for a refund. I've had one return in all my years selling, due to the buyer not liking it once she saw it. She packed it well for the return and paid for the postage herself. She went on to buy other things, which she did really like.

[brerrabbit585]

All the pretty flowers do in that photo is emphasise the ugliness of the vase.

You too said your sales had fallen away, so before you criticise others, perhaps you could check your own listings. $9 postage on an item that costs $2 plus an envelope is just a bit over the top. If they buy 2 it'd cost you $3 plus an envelope but you'd be charging them $14 postage.

[lyndal1838]

Ugliness is in the eye of the beholder (or not) but if English Series Ware floats your boat it is a nice item.....but it needs a plain background to emphasize the pattern on the vase.

[countessalmirena]

When I buy antiques, I look for photographs from as many angles as possible, plus close-ups of important details. I would expect to see maker's mark / hallmarks, any chips or dents - you know the sort of thing.

Sometimes one can see faked "Hester Bateman" marks over the original... done almost contemporaneously! (HB silverware became hugely popular and very collectable not long after her death.) But the photos have to be very clear and precise, with no fuzzy edges or blurs.

[yeoldecoinco]

As for returns, it depends very much on what you sell.

Books and things that can be used and returned (clothes etc) I could see that returns could be very problematic.

As for me, I offer free returns and get very few.

Like most sellers, I absolutely hate and loathe returns, knowing that it will cost time and money.

If people return stuff and it is not my fault, they immediately get blocked, they get to do it just once.

But, it is part of selling and one just has to deal with it.

Besides, as a business, I think that I have to offer returns under Australian Consumer Law.

For private sellers of second hand items, it may be different..

Selling on eBay, I don't believe there is such a thing as "No returns"

If the buyer wants to return it, they will and eBay will help them do it.