Return Policy

[miklamot]

I had a 14 day return policy on my listings. I had a buyer message me saying he wants to return the item because he ordered the wrong board. I told him thats fine as long as he pays shipping. Well today is day 14, so if he doesn't ship until Monday can I not say sorry you missed the 14 day window. Its a hassle for me to have to resell because he ordered the wrong part, not my fault. Should l not let him ship back and risk neg feedback or just suck it up and let him ship it back.

[pjcdn2005]

Is it possible that he has already mailed it but just hasn't let you know? 

If not, and you tell him that it is too late there's a chance that he will then open a claim saying something is wrong with it

and you will have to pay return shipping so it's better just to keep silent imo.

[mr.elmwood]

I refund any time for any reason.

[femmefan1946]

The 14 day policy is probably unenforceable.

That doesn't mean you should drop it, because it does remind customers that a prompt return of an unwanted item is a Good Idea.

It is always best to refund on return and not get eBay or Paypal involved. They want you to pay the return shipping nowadays, which is almost impossible cross-border. And of course there is the ever-present spectre of Defects. 

If the item turns up, refund the entire original payment.

Remember that returns are a business expense. Keep the return in your records. Since your eBay earnings should be reported on your income tax (if this is a sideline income for you) then deduct the costs of the return if any from your earnings.

Are you familiar with Cookie Jar Insurance? If you don't carry business insurance, self-insurance will make problems with unhappy customers much easier to deal with.

This is business, not personal. Just keep it professional.

*given that what is returned is what you sent and is saleable.

[Anonymous]

Hi! In my honest opinion and experience (have had this issue where customer purchased in error) - I believe he just disappeared now after realizing that yes, it was no error due to the seller (no gross misrepresentation of item, and item was described) and does not wish to pay the return shipping due to his mistake.  I bet dollars to donuts you never hear back from him again.  Just let it go until you hear back from him, if ever - after all the ball in in his court now.

If this is the case, which I really believe it is, it looks like you still have a successful and complete transaction.  Buyers mistake, and he realized it.  

[Anonymous]

Oh, and if you do hear back from them, feel free to use my ~buyers error/remorse~ return answer template (yes I keep it handy :)) to respond to them :

Hi there!  Again, I am happy to accept a return of the item(s) in their original auction described condition. I will only be able to refund the Buy it Now cost and not the shipping as unfortunately, I used those funds to purchase the shipping label and am unable to recover them. Also, since you are returning due to " I don't need it anymore" and not due to an error on my part, you would be responsible for the shipping cost to return it. Sellers will pay this return shipping cost if the item is damaged during mailing or if they have grossly misrepresented the item, both of which does not apply in this case. So again, I am more than happy to accept the return and will refund you the Buy it Now price upon receipt of the (item). Please let me know if you want to proceed with the return and if you need the correct return address. thanks very much."

I honestly have never heard back once from a buyer in this kind of situation, and yes, most do not respond as they feel foolish OR are steaming a bit (mostly at themselves) and have not had any bad feedback from them.

HTH 🙂

[reallynicestamps]

Nicely worded letter.

[mr.elmwood]

Actually, eBay does pretty much the same thing for us by requiring buyers to mail the widget back, on their dime, with tracking.

They saunter down to the PO, look at the cost of buying a box, wrapping supplies, PO selling the most expensive options first, and realizing that they are going to have to spend $20 to get $10 back.

eBay stonewalls buyers by knowing that the buyer has no experience with the postal system, certainly not like we do. Yeah, eBay intentionally thwarts returns. Sure works for me.