Any Ebay sellers planning on using the new Managed Returns?

bigjpst · September 15, 2012 2:02AM

I don't really like the idea of ebay having even more control over my sales/refunds, but from the way I read it, it may help reduce the feedback extortion from buyers who expect refunded return shipping even when your return policy specifies buyer pays return shipping. The way the video explains it, buyers can print shipping labels with tracking no charge from ebay, and when the item arrives ebay will decide who pays the return shipping based on sellers specified return policy. Just curious if others were planning on trying it out, especially now that they are offering 5% off FVF.
Link

LanceNewmanOCC · September 15, 2012 2:06AM

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i signed up just to see what will happen. Thankfully returns have been minimal since I provide great images and communication
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streeter · September 15, 2012 2:16AM

You might want to be very careful about letting Ebay manage your returns.

If returns are significant for you and presenting a problem, change your return policy or adjust your item description and lower the buyers expectations a bit so they smile when they see your items.

IMO, having one more middleman in the transaction(EBAY on returns) just allows for more down time. Returns should not be a problem if you are on the correct track.

bigjpst · September 15, 2012 2:17AM

I have only had 2 returns in 4 years, I too try to properly represent all the items I sell. The first one was a couple years ago, and it was a toned coin the buyer wanted to see in hand. He paid return shipping, I refunded no problem. Second was recent, and buyer stated there was a scratch on a proof coin in original packaging, I immediately offered full refund, and buyers first response was" are you also going to refund my return shipping?" So what do I do, get a neg for using my stated return policy on a $25 sale? I chose not to risk it, but still waiting to see how the buyer handles feedback after I jumped through hoops. I just don't like the recent trends I read on the forums where buyers aren't happy and basically use the threat whether implied or otherwise of negative feedback to get sellers to go against stated return policies. I think this may help eliminate that. I have a 14day no questions asked return policy buyer paying the return shipping.

OPA · September 15, 2012 2:21AM

for the extra 5% kick back in FVF, I went for it. "Knock on wood," the only returns I've had in the last 10 years, was due to my foul up in sending out the wrong coins.

LindeDad · September 15, 2012 2:26AM

I have had two returns in the last year one the guy emailed me agout two hours after buying and said he bid on the wrong item. I had already mailed it. So it went out and he refused delivery and when it got back I refunded . The other guy tried shopping it at a show I think then sent it back, can't do much else with eBay's two week return if they are willing to pay shipping and insurance.
So yes I'll take their 5% for now doesn't change much that I see.

Kove · September 15, 2012 2:50AM

No. I was considering opting in until I read the fine print and discovered that all a buyer has to do is select "item not as described" as the reason for return, and eBay will override the seller's "buyer pays return shipping" rule. eBay will then take the shipping cost for the buyer's mailing label out of the seller's Paypal account. Somehow, I think most returns will be "item not as described."

It seems that every time eBay tries to position something new as good for the seller, there's always some fine print that takes away even more control from the seller.

LanceNewmanOCC · September 15, 2012 3:21AM

<< It seems that every time eBay tries to position something new as good for the seller, there's always some fine print that takes away even more control from the seller. >>

while i'm not into complaining about it, that is quite right.

i understand why this is. sellers have to sell, buyers don't have to buy. so from their perspective, it is all about attracting buyers and if they have buyers, sellers will come.

it is the stupid philosophy that usually gets companies ad income. if people are here and looking we can use that to attract advertisers which some companies use to create false wealth information for

valuations. ok, i'm biased ><
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illini420 · September 15, 2012 3:46AM

I got the emails about it but I haven't read the fine print yet.

Based on what I've heard here so far, it seems that with how much I pay in eBay fees, the 5% savings on the fees will more than pay for any additional hassle this policy will cause regarding returns. I've only had a couple of returns in the past couple of years and most of those were my fault anyways and I paid for the buyer's shipping costs back to me. If I had been saving 5% all that time on my final value fees though, I would have been able to tell those buyers just to keep the item, refunded 100% of the purchase price and would have still been way ahead!

bigjpst · September 15, 2012 3:50AM

The final value fee credit is only for listings sold between now and Sept 30th, I may just opt back out after that.

I do like the idea of the buyer being able to print the label from ebay. At least then you know they aren't going to just stick the coin in a standard envelope, stick a couple stamps on it and let the sorting machines figure out who gets to keep the coin

LanceNewmanOCC · September 15, 2012 3:51AM

<< The final value fee credit is only for listings sold between now and Sept 30th, I may just opt back out after that.

>>

LindeDad · September 15, 2012 3:54AM

<< 

<< The final value fee credit is only for listings sold between now and Sept 30th, I may just opt back out after that.

>>

illini420 · September 15, 2012 3:59AM

Yep, forget about that then... I'm out!

CEOcoinshopcom · September 15, 2012 4:24AM

Maybe just send all your inventory to ebay and let them list it, ship it, manage returns, and have them send you a small profit check.
I'm just sayin

derryb · September 15, 2012 5:17AM

no

bigjpst · September 15, 2012 5:27AM

<< No. I was considering opting in until I read the fine print and discovered that all a buyer has to do is select "item not as described" as the reason for return, and eBay will override the seller's "buyer pays return shipping" rule. eBay will then take the shipping cost for the buyer's mailing label out of the seller's Paypal account. Somehow, I think most returns will be "item not as described."

It seems that every time eBay tries to position something new as good for the seller, there's always some fine print that takes away even more control from the seller. >>

Maybe you can get around that by charging a restocking fee that is equal to your standard shipping cost. I guess I may need to read the fine print for the fine print to find out.

JamesM · September 15, 2012 5:36AM

<< The final value fee credit is only for listings sold between now and Sept 30th, I may just opt back out after that. >>

Who says they will let you opt out?

In fact I can and expect eBay to come out with the following soon:

“the new refund process has been so well accepted, that we are now going to require all Power Sellers to use it”

bigjpst · September 15, 2012 5:43AM

<< << The final value fee credit is only for listings sold between now and Sept 30th, I may just opt back out after that. >>

Who says they will let you opt out?

In fact I can and expect eBay to come out with the following soon:

“the new refund process has been so well accepted, that we are now going to require all Power Sellers to use it” >>

As of right now they have an opt out option. I would not doubt that in the near future it will become mandatory, just like the 14day return policy, and tracking info requirements.

TwoSides2aCoin · September 15, 2012 7:07AM

eBay tries to be better at serving my customers than me, even though I'm the one paying for the service. Go figure.

UncleJoe · September 15, 2012 7:29AM

No. My auctions are listed with a no return policy because I refuse to allow 14 days.

Joe.

mustangmanbob · September 15, 2012 2:20PM

No.

I do not sell coins, but old automotive parts (65 - 68 Mustang). The shipping costs sometimes are more than the item, especially for large or heavy items. So if I sell a $10 pair of strut rods that costs $15 to ship, and the buyer states that it is not as described and ebay hits me with return shipping, a $10 part has just cost me $30 to tour the country. Even if I slap a 20% restock on it, it only gets me back $2. That business model is a quick trip to out of business.

Thankfully, I have only had 2 returns in the last 2 years, from the same person, and my rating is over 2300, I do not feel like being Uncle Sugar for shipping.

Think selling coins is hard, try a 45+ year old car part.

Ironically, the parts that were returned were NOS Ford still in the boxes.

ebaytrader · September 15, 2012 9:47PM

<< No. I was considering opting in until I read the fine print and discovered that all a buyer has to do is select "item not as described" as the reason for return, and eBay will override the seller's "buyer pays return shipping" rule. eBay will then take the shipping cost for the buyer's mailing label out of the seller's Paypal account. Somehow, I think most returns will be "item not as described."

It seems that every time eBay tries to position something new as good for the seller, there's always some fine print that takes away even more control from the seller. >>

With all of feebay's machinations in the buyers' favor, people like me still shop at Amazon almost exclusively. In the last 5-6 years I think I've purchased 2 items off of feepay and yet there's hardly a month that goes by that I don't purchase something off of Amazon. I just ordered some car polish a few days a ago and didn't even consider searching feepay for it. Feepay's draconian measures have chased away many good sellers including me. What's left is often overpriced from what's left of the good sellers, undependable part-timers, or misrepresented Chinese junk (for instance, years ago I would order name brand electronic parts off of feepay and invariably I received cheap Chinese knock-offs. It's still going on and I can't see it ending anytime soon).

SportsModerator · September 16, 2012 12:07AM

I don't understand how people in our 'world' can continue to do business on the bay. The changes over the past few years, paypal/CC etc. plus all the other malarky, no negs for bidders, seller dashboards, etc. have made the site non conducive for a successful business model. I have personally gone from a seven figure a year enterprise to virtually nothing. The days of my personal rep calling me twice a week to make sure that all was well are a thing of the past! LOL. I think that it was in 08 perhaps early 09 when he asked why my numbers were descending and I was quite forthright in my answer by saying that ebay's attempts to become "Amazon-Lite" would eventually backfire and drive many sellers to seek alternative venues. I further explained that my working on close margins was now almost nonprofitable to me as ebay was making more than me, and that's IF I was making anything at all to justify the time and investment in doing so. Over a ten year period, tens of thousands of transactions with never a negative or even a neutral (Truth!), and having sold 'stuff' from .99 to 30K, I'm now barely a power seller with a couple of hundred transactions a year. I ran my business on the bay the way I wanted to run it and not by having some clueless morons do it for me and by changing the rules everytime some newly signed on marketing 'expert' figures out a way of draining my wallet further. Hey, it was great while it lasted and was a genuine auction site as opposed to today's back alley flea market with overpriced BIN merchandise.

Rant over.................

ebaytrader · September 17, 2012 7:09AM

Just read this on the Blackthorne forum. Blackthorne software is rented to hi volume sellers on feebay.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi XXXXX,

sunderheads is returning Sterling Silver Charm - CATHOLIC 4 in 1 CROSS MEDAL # 360482867245. We'll email you tracking information when the item is shipped.

Reason for return: Not as pictured or described

Buyer comments: I bought it for a man, but it just looks too feminin.

Because the buyer told us that the item was not as described, you are responsible to pay for return shipping charges.

Cougar1978 · September 17, 2012 8:49AM

No - I have very few returns. There really is no way to insulate yourself from bad buyers. Nor can you always please a crazy person. A return to the old days where sellers could neg buyers would help.

I don't give refunds on return shipping otherwise I am giving people free inventory to shop around. One of the first shops I did business with years ago took returns but there was a 20% restocking charge. Now people complain like spoiled little cheap a brats about paying return shipping on their returns. I would neg a bad buyer if provoked via my purchase account in the event this person happens to also be a seller. Ebay has gone out of its way to please buyers at the expense of sellers who are the real paying customers. Anyone who knows anything about the business can clearly see this.

I totally agree with SportsModerator1 on these issues and have considered pulling my business from the bay for the reasons he mentioned.

LochNESS · September 22, 2012 8:01PM

I posted this exact same thread topic a week or so earlier, and the response was almost unanimously YES ... interesting

tincup · September 22, 2012 11:16PM

<< I posted this exact same thread topic a week or so earlier, and the response was almost unanimously YES ... interesting

>>

The devil is in the details. Just took awhile for the fine print to soak in.

TwoSides2aCoin · September 22, 2012 11:23PM

<< I posted this exact same thread topic a week or so earlier, and the response was almost unanimously YES ... interesting

>>

Give me a link so I can respond.

Any Ebay sellers planning on using the new Managed Returns?

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