I know, returns are a headache. We all hate dealing with returns but they are a part of the business. Offering returns make all buyers feel better. That they have the ability to get their money back if they don’t like the item. I always offer returns on working items, but the way I handle them is different in any scenario. How you handle your returns may determine your next sale!
Please return my item!
I will only ask the buyer to return the item in the following cases:
High Priced Item – If the item is high priced I will always pay for the item to come back. My items are usually shipped for between $2 and $10. If my item has a shelf value of $30 or above I will always get it back. My items will always sell either functioning or nonfunctioning, so if the item was broken to begin with I will always make my money back. Most of the time I will give the benefit of the doubt to my buyer that the item may have been defective if I missed something as all my items are returned items. Always resell a high priced returned item. You more than likely will get your money back.
User error: Even after I explain how to use the item the buyer might not understand how to work it. I will always ask the buyer to return the item because I know I will be able to resell it. Usually it is not worth my effort to argue with the buyer to pay for shipping to get it back. I will eat the $2 shipping cost and resell it. It is more important to retain my 100% feedback rating on eBay.
Just Because: Sometimes I will ask the buyer to return a cheap item, or a broken item (even if I explained it was broken) for the sheer fact that I feel the buyer wasn’t being genuine. I will eat the $2 if they return it, but 99% of the time I will offer a return and the buyer will NEVER return it. Usually I will ever hear back from the buyer in these cases. Eventually the case will close and I will get my money back.
Keep the item!
Here are some instances where the buyer gets to keep the item:
Buyer Vibe: Sometimes I will receive messages from the buyer that they are annoyed or are unhappy in general because of how the item functions or doesn’t function. 99% of its value is below $20 or so dollars, I will just tell the buyer the can keep the item.
Only if the item is a certain value or I feel the buyer won’t return the item, then I will ask the buyer to open a return case and I will send them a label. Just as the above cases the buyer usually never returns the item.
It is more worth it to offer the return and keep your 100% feedback!
When and in what instances do you offer returns?
-Chris
LiquidationOH@gmail.com