@cushioncovers wrote:
Personally, I will never buy from any store that charges a "restocking" fee.
So what if you have to take back an item - that's part of doing business.
In the 14 years I've sold on this platform I have had less than a dozen returns and would never dream of charging this ridiculous "fee".
In my opinion there is absolutely no justification for it.
Please explain how it is "costing you" and why you feel you need to charge someone for simply being in business.
The main issue as i see it is does ebay allow people to charge a restocking fee or doesn't it.
From everything I have read lately, it has sounded as if ebay does not particularly love the concept of restocking fees but does allow them & even suggests that if a seller has them, they are charged when, for example, goods are returned in damaged condition etc
So if ebay officially allows them, then it is ridiculous if there is not a clear cut way for sellers to implement the fee.
Alexpop's questions are very relevant.
Alex said:
the only options were `refund' item cost or refund and add refund original postage. I contacted ebay & they said they are the only alternatives, so I wondered what is the point of putting in a re-stocking amount if the seller cant actually put it in practice.
Personally, Alex, I don't think it would be a good idea to add a price onto your items & say you will refund them the postage costs later if they keep the item. How long would you be willing to wait before refunding anyway? Buyers have up to 180 days in some cases to make a claim.
Nope, better to just charge a price that will completely cover you enough to give you profit plus a little bit extra for things that occasionally go wrong.
Cushioncovers, you asked why anyone might charge a restocking fee for taking an item back as it is part of business. Yes, it is, in many cases. But at bricks & mortar shops, I have always had to take my item in myself to show them & get either a refund, exchange, credit note etc
Most of the online places I buy from will pay return postage costs for faulty items. That's not an issue. But a change of mind return is different & some sites spell out that the buyer pays return postage.
I think where the restocking fee will need to come into play will be for sellers who opt into any ebay system where a buyer can return their goods for any reason & the seller will pay the return postage.
When you think about it, why should any seller be up for 2 lots of postage costs for a change of mind return?
I buy from COTD where there is indeed free postage to send back items (it is not automatic, you need to contact them- apply to return the item & get that approved). I imagine the restocking fee is there for 2 reasons.
1. To make consumers aware there is some cost involved in the process, so they will only go ahead if they are serious about it.
2. To cover the extra cost of providing free return postage.
I think it is fair as it only affects those buyers who use the return process. That way the overall postage cost or item cost doesn't have to go up for everyone to cover these expenses.
The trouble, as I see it, is some sellers are more likely to be affected by change of mind returns. Shoes, clothes etc probably carry more risk than some other things.
