Wow. A change to an eBay policy that's actually in the seller's favor.
nencoin
Posts: 1,312 ✭✭✭✭
eBay Money Back Guarantee policy changes for Bullion, Coins and Paper Money, effective May 7th.
We’re making an update to eBay Money Back Guarantee coverage for Bullion, Coins and Paper Money.
What’s changing
Starting May 7th, coverage for items that don’t match the listing or arrive damaged will be more aligned to sellers’ policies for these categories:
• If a seller does not offer returns, you’ll need to request a return within 3 calendar days from the delivery date (previously up to 30 days).
• If a seller offers returns, coverage will apply within the seller’s stated return window.
What’s not changing
Your purchases in these categories will continue to be covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee, provided all eligibility requirements are met. This means you’re still protected if your item doesn’t arrive, arrives damaged, or is significantly different from the listing description, giving you added confidence when you shop.
As always, do check your item when it arrives and contact the seller promptly if there are any issues. We’ll be here to help, if you need it.
Thank you for being part of the eBay community.
Sincerely,
eBay
Added by OP: Eliminates the free approval potential.
Comments
As a buyer, one issue that I see right off the bat is the 3-day window. Several times I have gotten a notification from ebay stating that my package was delivered when, in fact, it doesn't show up for another day or two.
I only buy on eBay, don’t sell, and this is not a huge deal, but still doesn’t help. I deal with so many scam sellers that I feel the buyers need as many resources for help as possible. I currently have 2 open cases with fraudulent sellers, and on average have between 1-5 problems monthly.
I got that email also.
I make it a point to check out the sellers return policy, I will look for "free returns" when coins are listed.
When they say "no returns" I just move along..........
Mike
My Indians
Dansco Set
I haven’t been a seller for some time, but I found it a lot riskier than being a buyer. So, I think reducing the free look period is a good idea. But, 3 days does seem too short. I guess I’ll place more emphasis on the seller’s return policy than heretofore.
That still gives you a day or two to examine the item. If that's not enough, don't buy from sellers who don't offer returns.
Problem solved.
Here's one reason why I, as someone who scours eBay for deals, think the 3-day window is way too short:
About a month ago, I purchased a lot of coins that included a gold coin at a good price. When it arrived, I was surprised to see just one silver dollar. I communicated with the seller and, thanks to the then 30-day return window, I somehow managed to get the gold coin. If the same thing happened today, I would have to return the silver dollar and get my money back, missing out on the deal. Building on this experience, what if a seller used the new 3-day window to their advantage? They could intentionally ship the wrong coin to bait an unsuspecting buyer into waiting for another package, and by the time the empty package arrived, the INAD refund window would be over.
Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
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Irrelevant. Just means the buyer will file a charge back. You still have a 6 month return window.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
If I sell you a coin and there's a problem that's my fault, I'll make it right. If you buy something in good faith and decide my description was accurate but it's not quite for you and you cover the cost to send it back, no problem. If you just want a looksie because it costs you nothing, I'm not going to be the one funding it.
I would recommend against buying from sellers who do not offer returns (online).
I wonder what eBay's "experts" think significantly different than the item description means. An undisclosed cleaning that isn't visible in the photos? Or does it have to be something like a completely different coin than pictured?
"I don't want the coin anymore" works for the eBay's experts. They'll also accept outright lies from the buyer, agree with the seller that the buyer is in violation of eBay policies and still force the seller to pay return shipping.
So there's that.
Yes, EBay has always been more protective of buyers than sellers IMO, having been both frequently. But I have never had a problem either way that was not easily resolved. This does slightly favor sellers that do not allow returns.
Aside from keeping buyers from sitting on their... hands... for a month before starting a "Not As Described" claim, it doesn't prevent them from exercising any right to return that they've always had.
I buy bc I want the coin. The problem is when a coin has issues that were not seen in the pictures OR hidden.
I believe. and this is my opinion, when a seller offers free returns THEY know the coin has no issues.
I've had sellers actually post different pictures of a coin then the one that they were selling.
All sellers are not like you @airplanenut, too bad. It's the few that screw it up for the rest so we have to defend ourselves.
Mike
My Indians
Dansco Set
Whatever. It isn't always just limited to one or two days.
And it can always be delivered to the wrong address which could take a week to get.
if you are having that many problems monthly then you are doing something wrong
give us some links to auctions
Then don't buy from sellers who don't offer returns. Whatever, indeed.
"more aligned to sellers’ policies" Gee, thanks ebay.
This is likely in response to volatile bullion prices. I can't imagine how many ebay sellers had to process returns on silver coins purchased when prices were much higher than they are now. I don't know if there really is a good answer, I don't think there's a perfect policy that can protect against bad actors on either side.
It’s great. As a small seller I have received return requests nearly a month after the item was received. Even though I don’t accept returns.
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You're going to like the charge back process from the credit card even less. They will refund the buyer's money and not even mandate a return in many cases.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Exactly right, so it does only slightly favor sellers who do not allow returns by the buyers who decide weeks later that they do no want something for some bogus reason. Otherwise it has no effect.
Here’s some item numbers, you decipher:
236690264606
277835398182
227128824194
357963187268
Some months there’s more fraud than legit sellers.
.
Mike
My Indians
Dansco Set
Some buyers will buy coins to "flip". They'll shop it around for two or three weeks to sell at a profit. If they can't find a buyer, they'll just return it to the seller. This new eBay policy will discourage this practice.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
The back story on the policy change is probably the offshoot of multiple discussions and seller feedback concerns on long delays when a buyer requested a return toward the 30 day window. I'd think that eBay would be more like Amazon in time, though they sell mainly new items, whereas eBay has a lot of used items. Three days should be plenty of time to make up your mind on whether to keep something or return it. Many Amazon customers don't bother with feedback and less eBay customers are bothering with that as well.
It might also curb those that are looking to speculate with little to no risk in this volatile metals market. A buyer has little to no risk with a long return policy as he could easily return a bullion purchase that goes south while also being able to hold until the upside is there to sell at a nice profit. Seller takes all the risk.
how will you proof an undisclosed cleaning without a cert saying so?
A thirty day return period is ridiculous. That's thirty days after you receive the coin, not the purchase date.
Whether you think you can or, think you can't, you're right.
Unless willingly offered by the seller, I agree. How would buyers like it if sellers had thirty days from the date of purchase to ship the coin?
Yeah, I know... "That's different!"
Because I'm a broken record, I feel compelled to point out that every retailer who accepts credit cards is offering a 180 day return privilege and, for some cards, 18 months. While this may seem ridiculous, it has been the status quo for decades in the retail space. I'm sure some of the same sellers who resent it on ebay would be happy for it at Walmart if they purchased a "lemon". It's funny how it feels different when you're on the other side of the transaction.
The same likely applies to free shipping...
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Fair enough. I'll modify my question to allow for this: "How would buyers like it if sellers had 18 months from the date of purchase to ship the coin?"
Lol. I understand the original point. But that is not the retail norm. The better question, in my opinion, is "how would sellers feel if Lowe's only offered them a 3 day return on a refrigerator?"
My point is simply that the eBay policy has never been the actual policy for sellers. We kid ourselves if we think we have a no return/5 day return/30 day return policy.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
They wouldn't like it. They'd buy their refrigerators at Home Depot.
IMO, while three days isn't long enough to insure you got a properly functioning refrigerator, it is long enough to decide if you like a coin. And if you think you need more time, get in touch with the seller to see if that's okay. If it's not, send the coin back. It's not rocket surgery.
Yes and no. I often don't open packages until the weekend. People travel. 3 days after delivery might not even have resulted in the package being received and opened.
And what if you send it to PCGS and it comes back as counterfeit?
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
The way I did for my recent return, with good clear photos of the coin still in the sellers holder showing the evidence of an abrasive cleaning that's not visible in their listing photos. If that's not enough for eBay I'll have to adapt. If there's something I missed in the description, or something that's visible in the photos that I overlooked and I'm disappointed in the coin, i keep it and consider it tuition. An abrasive cleaning that's not visible in the photos or disclosed in the description is different, I'll send that back.
If the policy allowed for three days, you could open them sooner, couldn't you?
Yes, they do travel. Sometimes, for weeks at a time. How long should the world expect to be put on hold waiting for them to get home to open their mail?
Assuming you're talking about a counterfeit received when the buyer was expecting a legitimate issue (not a collectible contemporary counterfeit intentionally purchased), sales of such are not typically legal, so any specified return period should be voided. The seller would be expected to refund the buyer and, if he chooses, attempt to recoup his original payment from the person he bought it from.
BTW- this is an excellent example of why eBay should not be mandating seller policies when there are implications of those policies eBay is unable/unwilling to account for.
Then you have to count on the seller being ethical. Happened to me once (as a seller) - the buyer showed me the TPG evidence, and I refunded him promptly.
@nencoin
This is a little off subject, but you guys are great. I received my latest purchase from y'all a couple of days ago, and as usual, I love it. I went back and looked. I'm nearing 140 coins purchased from NEN and have only ever returned one. Nothing was really wrong with that one coin, it just didn't fit my particular taste. Thank you.