eBay auction return policy

BAJJERFAN

When you are browsing or bidding on eBay items is it important to you that the seller have a clearly stated return policy? If so do you find that things like restocking fees for frivolous returns are a turnoff?
Is it too much trouble to ask if a seller has a policy even tho it is not stated in the auction?
Yer thoughts please.
I would want to do right by a buyer if I misrepresented an item but at the same time do not want to encourage umlimited frivolous returns.

goose3

I have never listed one and only had 1 coin returned to me. The guy goofed and did not read my description and stated so. He returned the coin and requested I NOT refund him. I sold to #2 bidder and sent him the $$.

I don't care much about it if the seller has excellent feedback. I will also email and ask if I am curious/serious about an expensive item. No reply and no bids from me.

gmarguli

I don't state a return policy in my auctions since I don't want buyers to use it as an "approval service".

However, if a potential bidder emails me and asks, I explain my policy to them. I rarely get emails asking about it.

I rarely contact sellers and ask about their return policy. Only on expensive items and if I don't "know" them.

If I see a "restocking fee" it is a major turn off. It will either affect my bid (a lot lower) or I will skip it altogether.

fairtraderzz

Ours is no questions asked!!!!.
We all at times disagree with graders, or just do not see if a coin is up to ones standards untill you get it in person..
We have about one every two weeks come back. We even have had to beg a few customers to send it back it they did not like it. They state they never send coins back, we would rather they send them back then live with a coin they are not happy with!

Gary

eBay auctions by fairtraderz

doops

<< <i>I don't state a return policy in my auctions since I don't want buyers to use it as an "approval service".

However, if a potential bidder emails me and asks, I explain my policy to them. I rarely get emails asking about it.

I rarely contact sellers and ask about their return policy. Only on expensive items and if I don't "know" them.

If I see a "restocking fee" it is a major turn off. It will either affect my bid (a lot lower) or I will skip it altogether. >>


WHAT? oh my GOD!! you dont have a return policy??? good gosh amighty you must think ebay is an auction forum huh instead of a timewating,crackouters approval service too huh? well,for once a agree with your smart A*S...

gmarguli

doops, unlike you, I'm not an ANA member dealer who is bound by their rules.

I will also accept returns. Unlike you, I don't have a blanket refusal policy.

Dog97

When you are browsing or bidding on eBay items is it important to you that the seller have a clearly stated return policy? If so do you find that things like restocking fees for frivolous returns are a turnoff?
If they have big bold leters & ½ page of text saying such then I bid only if I'm pretty sure I like the coin.

Is it too much trouble to ask if a seller has a policy even tho it is not stated in the auction?
Too much trouble, I only do it if it's something $500+.

I would want to do right by a buyer if I misrepresented an item but at the same time do not want to encourage umlimited frivolous returns.
My sentiments exactly; from reading the boards I see that collectors want to return a coin if you didn't note a scratch on the slab or a bag mark on a ms62 Morgan so I give an accurate, honest description & pict.

I've only returned 1 coin from eBay-it had very light cleaning hairlines from brushing all over the obv (not mentioned in listing) and the seller didn't list a return policy. I sent a polite email telling the seller it was cleaned and I would like to return it and he allowed me to.

Barry

I do like gmarguli. I don't state a return policy in the auction, but if asked, I'll do a 7 day, no-questions asked return. I've only had one coin returned, and one "almost" return when the (European) buyer freaked out when customs told him that he would have to pay VAT.

When buying, I'll sometimes ask if it's not stated, depending on the coin. I'll only bid on auctions when there is a good picture present. Isn't it amazing how some sellers think horribly out of focus pics are acceptable? I WON'T bid on any auctions that pull the "estate sale, no returns, I don't know anything about coins" crap.

RNCHSN

I also do what Greg does. Not stated, but 7 days-no question-send it back and get your money back!

Now, what do you do for anuninsured $10 item that bidder claims not to have recieved?

CarlWohlforth

I do state that I have a return policy. I try to accurately describe the coin, including any problems, light cameo, spots or whatever. Less than %1 of the coins I placed have been returned. People talk about "tire kickers" but I am lucky enough that I haven't had any.

The only time I bid on a no return auction was a Heritage auction. I won't do it again unless I get to see the coin in person before I bid. Some images are made by people who pride themselves on accuracy others are made by people who want to show the coin in the best possible light. The latter tends to disappoint.

Outhaul

I clearly state in my auctions that there are no returns for third-party graded coins. I, like Greg, am NOT an approval service. I am but a humble collector and sell only to upgrade. I do not buy coins certified by anyone but PCGS, NGC, and ANACS, and I send my raw stuff only to PCGS or NGC. I do not bother with other grading companies. If I were to sell an MS raw coin, then I would allow a return. Anyone who does not like this policy is free to bid on someone elses auction.

Cheers,

Bob


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tjkillian

Since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, yes, I have a return policy. Just because a picture is good, does not mean the coin is good. We all know that there are all kinds of quality in all kinds of holders. A return policy is important, both selling and buying. I give a seven day no questions asked.

Tom

ms71

From a "nuisance" perspective, I guess I can understand how a seller doesn't want coins returned. What I can't understand is how anyone can expect an educated collector to buy coins based on computer images. Plus, of course, the images are completely under the "creative" control of the seller. Maybe on relatively low-value coins it would be acceptable to some, but I would consider it just plain stupid to commit to the purchase of a coin without having the opportunity to have a good look at it in person. I spend a lot of time browsing ebay, any coin that has a "no return" policy I pass by immediately. If no policy is stated, I'll usually pass, but if the coin is something I'd really like I will email the seller. About a third of the time they come back & say returns are OK. Another third of the time they say no returns (goodbye!), and a third of the time they don't get back to you at all (goodbye!). I'm more than happy to let somebody else lay out good money for coins they are stuck with before they get a chance to examine them.

Pushkin

I don't state my return policy on my auctions; all of my coins are undergraded, premium quality super gems and anybody who would even consider returning one must be totally whacko and out of their frickkin mind!

However, for those few nuts, should one ever want a return, its five days less shipping costs.

Seriously, all of my eBay problems so far have been with sellers, not buyers, like the two who Negged me for non-payment; with one I paid via PayPal, received the coin, and left positive feedback- still Negged me for non payment - !!! - go figure . The other never sent payment instructions even though I sent multiple emails via eBay and to his email address asking. The third Neg was from a slimy, scumbag, filthy piece of dung creepo who sold a corroded, porous piece of junk and lied repeatedly in the description and wouldn't take the coin back, so I got a retaliatory Neg and lost $100.

So, to make a long-winded diatribe short - I'll accept returns but I don't advertise it all over the place. If the buyer wants to shot himself in the foot by returning one of my gems, fine, no problem!

I had one coin returned - my error in grading - I gave the buyer his total costs back plus a $15 credit on his next purchase - and he did buy again. He also received an apology for my gross stupidity on grading that coin as VF-20 rather than F-15. He's a really nice guy and great customer! I made a mistake, I wasted the customer's time, so I tried to make amends.

Seriously, I've been lucky so far to have many great, super customers - I know its anecdotal, but my eBay problems have been with scallywag scumbag sellers and whacko sellers!

Thank you for your attention, time to clean the cat's toilet. Free, used KittyLitter, all natural, bio-degradeable, guaranteed organic - PM for Info - great to send to scumbag sellers as a "little present".

gmarguli

Now, what do you do for anuninsured $10 item that bidder claims not to have recieved?

I assume they declined the insurance offered to them? If so, I would scan a copy of the Post Office receipt showing I mailed it and tell them I am sorry it didn't arrive and they can contact their local Post Office and have a trace put on it.

I am not an insurance company for people who decline to purchase Postal insurance.

braddick

I'd rather prevent all problems. Even a $2. coin is insured. It stops the 'opportunists' from making that first step in an unjustified refund.

Like Greg, I don't post the policy (unless the bidder wants to click on the SquareTrade logo on my auctions. My policies are stated there)- but will accept a return and will also pay postage both ways.

I probably don't have too, but life's too short and if the buyer is unhappy, what effort is it on my part to "make it right".

I've only had two returns- both PCGS coins that simply didn't meet the expectations of the collector. No problem.

Outhaul

Insurance is NOT an option when I ship a coin, it's automatically included. If the buyer doesn't like it... tough titties...he can pass as well. I'm not interested in getting negged by a bidder who is penny-wise and pound-foolish. Just MHO.

Cheers,

Bob

walkerman

I sometimes mention my return policy on expensive coins to give a potential buyer who doesn't know me more confidence.I only offer 48hrs so as to discourage hustlers from shopping my coin all over town trying to make a profit and returning it when they can't.They also want to show the coin to all their crackout buddies to get a consensus as to whether or not it will upgrade. I truly believe a buyer should be able to decide if a coin is a keeper or not within a few minutes.At coin shows when a prospective buyer asks to see a coin in my case they either buy it outright,start haggling price or politely say thank you and put the coin back.On many occasions they want time to check out other dealers for the same coin and that makes good sense.But never have they bought the coin and 5 days later call me to return the coin.48 hrs is definitely long enough.I also believe that a restocking charge is a rip off. I refund the entire purchase price less postage and insurance. Dave Weygant

Pushkin

I also forgot to mention - no insurance, no sale. Its not worth the hassle to me to deal with "lost" items.

Catch22

The industry standard is that a return policy should be used.
As far as i am concerned, the difference between a legitimate coin dealer and a coin peddler is in having a reasonable return policy, clearly stated.

Don't kid yourself, if you do not offer a return policy you are a coin peddler, not a coin dealer.

Why encourage these peddlers by giving them your business? The hobby has suffered these guys for too many years.

gmarguli

The industry standard is that a return policy should be used.
As far as i am concerned, the difference between a legitimate coin dealer and a coin peddler is in having a reasonable return policy, clearly stated.

Don't kid yourself, if you do not offer a return policy you are a coin peddler, not a coin dealer.

Why encourage these peddlers by giving them your business? The hobby has suffered these guys for too many years.


At the same time, as a "coin dealer" you have to protect yourself from the people who will take advantage of you. I believe it was wondercoin who mentioned someone returning a coin off eBay because the buyer didn't think it would UPGRADE. This was long after he paid off the consignor. To me, that is not a legit reason to return a coin. That's like returning a losing lottery ticket to the store where you purchased it.

What I have the biggest problem with for returns is when someone wants to return something because of a reason they could have easily found out about BEFORE bidding. I don't think it is fair to return a coin because you don't like "light gold toning" when you could have asked the question before bidding if the coin had any toning. If you want the coin to be fully struck, then ask if it is. Don't buy and then return if you don't like it.

I don't believe a blanket no return policy is EVER right, but there are many times when a seller should have the right to refuse to take a return and a buyer shouldn't even ask.

Outhaul

Catch22:

It must be nice to be so self-righteous as to be able to stand in judgement of everyone else and attach labels. If you prefer not to deal with those who do not offer a return policy then that is your prerogative. Name-calling is totally unnecessary and not offering a return policy does not make you any more or less scrupulous than the next person. After all, eBay is an auction. When I bid on items in an auction I am fully prepared to deal with the results. The only exception to this rule is if an item was totally misrepresented.

Bob

Catch22

Outhaul, I do indeed pass judgement on this subject. Just as the hobby suffers from the likes of Accugrade, it suffers from the peddlers looking to make a quick buck. And, you are correct, I will not do business with anyone that doesn't stand behind their product.

BAJJERFAN

I never asked whether a seller should have a return policy or not. I simply want to know if it is important to you as a bidder that a seller state his policy up front. Just because a seller doesn't state his policy doesn't mean he doesn't have one. As a casual seller I will deal with returns if it becomes an issue.

ms71

I often wonder why a fair number of sellers don't list their return policies on the listing. Seems to me that it's asking for complications. What did the buyer "assume"? What is it reasonable for him to assume? If I had a no-returns policy, I'd certainly want to have it right out front.

mbbiker

It's not to important to me the coins i buy from e-bay aren't worth enough to go through the trouble to send them back.